As part of the celebration of our 10th Anniversary year in London, this year’s festival includes a Salute to internationally acclaimed documentary filmmaker Kim Longinotto with a selection of films from her instrumental body of work. The festival proudly features EAT THE KIMONO (1989); HIDDEN FACES (1990); DIVORCE IRANIAN STYLE (1998); and her latest film SISTERS IN LAW (2005) – four strong films that have brought to light pressing human rights issues in a sensitive, smart and highly engaging fashion. Kim Longinotto will be present for question and answer sessions at all screenings and will be in conversation with special guest Lizzie Francke following SISTERS IN LAW, Sunday 19 March.
The Human Rights Watch International Film Festival congratulates the Royal Court’s 2006 season and their 50th Anniversary. Throughout the last decade, the Royal Court Theatre has been involved in the development and production of new plays by international playwrights from all parts of the world. The Royal Court Theatre’s International Playwrights Programme has collaborated with the Human Rights Watch International Film Festival since 2002, introducing specially commissioned short human rights plays from over a dozen countries. Some of these plays will be presented before related screenings. For more information, call the Royal Court Theatre Box Office 020 7565 5000 or visit www.royalcourttheatre.com/international
These plays were commissioned with the support of the Genesis Foundation.
A week of events tying in with the Ritzy’s annual HRWIFF with films and live acts from across the globe.
The perfect setting for a pre and/or post show drink, featuring djs and live bands from around the world.
Thursday, 16 March – Andres Garcia Trio, 8pm–12am FREE
Andres Garcia Trio meet at the converging point of jazz, Latin and flamenco. Their repertoire is a mixture of original material as well as fresh arrangements of classic standards. Featuring Andres Garcia on guitars, Javi on bass and Demi Garcia on percussion. The perfect soundtrack to the Ritzy's launch-night of the 2006 HRWIFF.
Friday, 17 Mar – Sandhya Sanjana's Mahima, 8pm–1am FREE
Half way through one of Tsivi Sharrett's Ritzy Café gigs last year a vocalist stepped forward and floored the audience with her voice. Disappointingly, she was based in Germany at the time so we were thrilled to hear of her move to London. Sandhya Sanjana is an exceptional singer whose repertoire consists of original compositions (based on classical Indian tracks) as well as jazz standards re-interpreted through an Indian prism. Her band features Tsivi Sharrett on piano, Jim Hart on drums, Larry Bartley double bass and Haider on flute.
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Saturday, 18 March – Chilli Fried South, feat. Doreen Thobekile live, 8pm–1am FREE
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The Chilli Fried Empire is expanding. Having recently turned one year old with a 12 month run at the Darbucka Bar in Clerkenwell, DJ and writer for the likes of Roots and Songlines, Jamie Renton, has now established his night as one of the most popular monthly residencies at the Ritzy Café. As with the ongoing original Chilli Fried night at Darbucka, Chilli Fried South offers great music from around the world with the warmest of vibes. Opening and closing proceedings our host spins global beats and roots rhythms interspersed with a live set by a guest band. Tonight we welcome Doreen Thobekile, from Natal (South Africa). A multi-faceted performer (she is an experienced dancer, singer and skilled player of various Southern African instruments such as the mbira and umqangala) she has recently played in Mose Fan Fan's band Somo Somo and has been touring and recording with electro-global pioneers Transglobal Underground. www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/africaonyourstreet/amandla_feature.shtml
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Sunday, 19 March – DJ Eric Soul presents Afrogroov (special guest tbc), 8pm–11pm FREE
Afrogroov continues in its tradition of providing a forum for semi-acoustic up and coming talent, crews and collectives from the African diaspora. Twice a month (second Weds and last Sat of the month) DJ Eric Soul spins us a mix that takes in Dakar, Rio, London, Paris and many more ports of call. Following in the footsteps of Khethi, Sanchita Furruque and D'Banj, each night includes a guest performer adding the vital live ingredient for the evening's proceedings with tonight's guest being inspired by the HRWFF screening of the Cameroonian film 'Sisters in Law' (showing in the cinema at 16.30).
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Monday, 20 March – Narf, 8pm–11pm FREE
Narf (Fran Pérez) is one of the most peculiar figures coming out from the emerging Galician-speaking music scene. He's a composer, singer / song-writer with a rock background who made a name in the 90's as the most awarded and successful composer of theatre music. His operas, musicals and comedy numbers contributed to establishing Santiago de Compostela as the capital of the Galician scene and granted him a sound reputation in neighboring Portugal as well. With Narf, his unplugged incarnation, Fran uncovers himself as a rare and elegant singer, a strange fruit who steps outside the commonly folk-based Galician songwriting style. His songs explore the un-trodden pathways that connect the Galician language with worldwide Portuguese popular music (Portugal, Mozambique, Cabo Verde, Brazil), bringing some southern warmth to a singing tradition that usually looks up to the north. His sweet and delicate voice, dressed up with his innovative and somewhat psychedelic composing technique ensures that his is an original act, with an approach that some critics have connected with the Brazilian Tropicalist movement.
Tuesday, 21 March – DJ Eric Soul presents Afrogroov (special guest tbc), 8pm–11pm FREE
Afrogroov continues in its tradition of providing a forum for semi-acoustic up and coming talent, crews and collectives from the African diaspora. Twice a month (second Weds and last Sat of the month) DJ Eric Soul spins us a mix that takes in Dakar, Rio, London, Paris and many more ports of call. Following in the footsteps of Khethi, Sanchita Furruque and D'Banj, each night includes a guest performer adding the vital live ingredient for the evening's proceedings with tonight's guest being inspired by the HRWFF screening of 'Conversations on a Sunday Afternoon' (South Africa - showing in the cinema at 18.30)
Wednesday, 22 March – Artist tbc
Thursday, 23 March – Nadine Khouri, 8pm–12am FREE
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When Nadine was eight years old, her family fled war-torn Beirut to settle in London. It was there that a wide-eyed and impressionabl e Nadine first discovered rock n'roll. Teenage years were spent in Berwick St. rummaging through CDs, listening to the radio, and developing a love for music by artists such as Jeff Buckley, Nina Simone, PJ Harvey, Radiohead, and Ani Difranco. In 1998, Nadine moved to Pennsylvania for her studies where she took her first steps, recording The Lunt Sessions which went on to be released in the States and in Lebanon. Armed with an acoustic guitar, she headed for New York, playing her brand of acoustic rock to strangers in smoked-filled dives and Brooklyn lofts. Since her move to London in early 2004, she has played many of the major venues of the London acoustic scene (the Spitz, Troubadour, Bush Hall, The Bedford), as well as returning to her native Beirut for live appearances. Fittingly for the Human Rights Watch Week, many of her songs deal with the myriad of human emotions that come from existing in and growing up in areas of conflict and war. http://www.nadinekhouri.net/news/
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Friday, 24 March – Best of the Fest night, 8pm–1am FREE
As is tradition for the HRWFF, the last night features a second screening of the most popular film from this year's festival followed by an end-of-week celebration in the café featuring live music to round off 2006.
Please check www.ritzycinema.co.uk for further details and updates or call Ed Simpson - Events Manager - 07764 852 730 to put on an event/hire the café/obtain further info.
The festival's free education programme is aimed at students age 13+ and teachers, offering challenging and exciting films to support and inspire dialogue around issues of human rights.
Each event includes:
· Free introduced screening plus Q&A with filmmakers or human rights activists.
· Free downloadable Teaching Resources for Film, Media, Communications, Sociology, Politics, Citizenship at Key Stages 3 and 4, GNVQ, 16+ and HE.
· Programme notes at venue on the day.
AMU
Friday 17 March, 10.30-1.00, Ritzy
Kaju, a 21-year-old Indian American woman, returns to India to visit her family and discovers secrets and lies from her past which reveal links to terrors in India’s history.
Download teaching resources (pdf file - 3 pages, 132 Kb)
Recommended for age 15+.
BOYS OF BARAKA
Monday 20 March, 10.30-12.45, ICA
Twenty ‘at risk’ 12-year-old boys from the tough streets of inner-city Baltimore travel to Baraka, a school in Kenya, where they’re faced with strict discipline at the same time as freedom from the huge obstacles they face at home. The documentary focuses on four boys’ daunting journeys towards putting their lives on a fresh path, their humour and honesty giving insight into their lives and their options when forced to return the difficult realities of their city.
Download teaching resources (pdf file - 4 pages, 174 Kb)
Recommended for age 13+ (Note: The film contains strong language)
SMILING IN A WARZONE
Thursday 23 March, 10.30-12.30, Ritzy
The hidden history of women fighter pilots is uncovered in archive footage and the present day long dangerous flight of Danish pilot Simone to teenage Afghan girl Farial, united by their wish to fly.
Download teaching resources (pdf file - 4 pages, 171 Kb)
Recommended for age 15+.
Bookings: Ritzy and ICA Box Offices
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