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Amnesty International Kicks Off Social Justice Crusade on UCLA Campus
By Jorgio Castro
The Amnesty International Film Festival made its 12th annual screening appearance nationwide, and here in West Hollywood, it was the second time being showcased at the Director’s Guild of America. The festival is hosted by Amnesty International USA, which aims to “offer concrete opportunities to create positive change for those who are moved by what they have seen” by showcasing films dealing with social injustices and calls for political activism. Other films presented during the week long festival, “Afghan Massacre” and “Burma: Anatomy of Terror,” tackle the social and political strife people around the world are still suffering through to this day. The West Hollywood area program kicked off on the UCLA campus at Royce Hall on Tuesday, May 28th to a packed house eagerly anticipating “Dam/age.”
Directed by Aradhana Seth, the 50 minute long “Dam/age” provides a documentary view of the controversy surrounding the construction of the Narmada dams in India, and acclaimed author and social activist Arundhati Roy’s struggle in the face of a criminal contempt conviction by India’s Supreme Court.
The subject of Seth’s documentary, Roy explores the conditions of the Narmada Valley’s people.
Courtesy of www.amnestyusa.org
The documentary goes into detail regarding the plight of those inhabiting the Narmada River Valley who are slowly being displaced from their native lands. The World Commission on Dams reported that to date 56 million people had been forced out of their homes in India because of the construction of dams on their lands along the Narmada River Valley. Seth and the cameras follow Roy as she participates in various protests put on against the building of these dams. The film also includes her commentary regarding the people’s plight, saying at one point that “not speaking out is as powerful as speaking out.”
The river valley is home to millions of people who are being displaced by the construction.
Courtesy of www.narmada.org
The movie takes a turn as Roy becomes the target of the Supreme Court’s frustrations. She is eventually charged with contempt of court, and serves a day in Tihar Jail before paying fines to avoid further imprisonment. The story ends on an up note with regards to Roy’s plight, but the fate of the Narmada River Valley is left up in the air. The presentation received a raucous ovation from the filled theater.
A breathtaking view of the natural beauty found in the Valley.
Courtesy of www.narmada.org
Arundhati Roy appeared in person on stage after the presentation, and was greeted warmly as she sat down for a question and answer session with Peter Debokoff, Chairman of UCLA Arts and Cultures, and the capacity audience. During the highly politically charged session, she touched on many topics such as the U.S.-led war in Iraq and called for the emergence of “real civil disobedience” as a measure of bringing about change in the political landscape of today’s world. Whether you agree with her views or not, Arundhati certainly is a champion of social justice. The film was genuinely enjoyable, and a fitting tribute to Amnesty International, whose goal is to “offer our communities an opportunity to see, to learn, and to care.” The festival wrapped up this year at the Directors Guild on June 1st.
June 6, 2003
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