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American University Hosts 8th Annual Human Rights Film Series

WHAT: 8th Annual Human Rights Film Series



WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 3 – Thursday, Nov. 8, 2007



WHERE: Oct. 3, 12 and 24 film screenings:

Room 603, Washington College of Law
4801 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20016



Oct. 4, 18 and Nov. 1 film screenings:

Wechsler Theater, 3rd Floor, Mary Graydon Center, American University
4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20016



Nov. 8 film screening:

Abramson Family Recital Hall, Katzen Arts Center
4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20016



DETAILS: Free and open to the public



MEDIA: Maggie Barrett, AU Media Relations, 202-885-5951


WASHINGTON, D.C. (Sept. 27, 2007) — American University will host its 8th Annual Human Rights Film Series from Wednesday, Oct. 3 through Thursday, Nov. 8. Films will be screened twice, first on Wednesdays in room 603 at the Washington College of Law (WCL) and again on Thursdays at Wechsler Theater, located on the 3rd floor of AU’s Mary Graydon Center. The final film will be screened on Thursday, Nov. 8 in the Abramson Family Recital Hall in AU’s Katzen Art Center and followed by a discussion with the filmmaker.



The series is free and open to the public and will explore ways in which film and media are used to promote human rights. Each film will be followed by a discussion with a guest speaker from an institution or non-governmental organization.



· Encounter Point (2006) follows the true story of two Israelis and two Palestinians as they risk their lives and public standing to promote nonviolence in their communities.

6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 3 at WCL; 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4 at AU’s Wechsler Theater



· The Devil’s Miner (2006) focuses on 14-year-old Basilieo and his younger brother who work in the mines of Cerro Rico in Bolivia, where Catholic miners sever their ties with God upon entering the mountain.

6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 17 at WCL; 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 18 at AU’s Wechsler Theater



· Sierra Leone’s Refugee All-Stars (2005) is a story of survival and rebirth in the wake of the horrors of Sierra Leone’s Civil War, and a testament to the power of music.

6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 24 at WCL; 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1 at AU’s Wechsler Theater



· Ghosts of Abu Ghraib (2007) provides a look into the psychological and political contexts of the torture at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. The HBO documentary was featured at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. After the screening, the filmmaker, Liz Garbus will discuss her experiences and answer questions from the audience about the making of this film.

5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8 at Katzen Arts Center



The film series is sponsored by AU’s Office of the University Chaplain; the School of Communication’s Center for Social Media; Washington College of Law’s Center for Human Rights and Humanitarian Law; and the School of International Service’s Center for Global Peace, and International Peace and Conflict Resolution Program.