Human Rights Watch Traveling Festival - State of Denial by Elaine Epstein

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Introduction Tips and Program Notes

When introducing films at the Human Rights Watch Film Festival, we generally follow a three part theme: Human Rights Watch, the Film Festival, and the film screening as it relates to both the organization and the festival. We have elaborated on these points below and we hope that you will feel free to incorporate this information into your own introductions.

Human Rights Watch and the International Film Festival

Since its inception in 1978, Human Rights Watch has become a real force in the human rights movement, widely respected for its accurate research and creative advocacy. Our staff works in more than seventy countries worldwide, publishing dozens of reports every year and shining a bright light on those who abuse human rights. Through rigorous investigation, expert analysis, strategic advocacy, and persistent pressure, we have led the way in building support and protection for internationally recognized human rights.

Our capacity to engage the public has always been critical to our ability to influence policy and stop human rights abusers. Fourteen years ago, we created the Human Rights Watch International Film Festival in recognition of the power of film to educate and galvanize a broad cross-section of concerned supporters.

Human Rights Watch's International Film Festival has become a leading venue for distinguished fiction, documentary and animated films and videos with a distinctive human rights theme. Through the eyes of committed and courageous filmmakers, we showcase the heroic stories of activists and survivors from all over the world. The works we feature help to put a human face on threats to individual freedom and dignity, and celebrate the power of the human spirit and intellect to prevail. We seek to empower everyone with the knowledge that personal commitment can make a very real difference.

State of Denial

The spectrum of individuals and lives protrayed in the film STATE OF DENIAL shows us just how widespread the impact of HIV/AIDS is in South Africa today. The film is done in such a way that we are left with a real sense of respect for those in the film and a real understanding of many of the basic scientific facts and debates. One major element in the film is the government of South Africa and their behavior on this issue. As with many human rights issues, the state has the power to help or harm its citizens and STATE OF DENIAL puts that question into focus for us through the stories of those in the film. Human Rights Watch pursues its HIV/AIDS and Human Rights work in much the samer manner - holding governments accountable for their actions with regard to HIV/AIDS and advocating for policy change where harm is clearly being done.