The War on Democracy

America will not impose our own style of government on the unwilling' - George W Bush.

But the reality is vastly different.


John Pilger:

"More terrorists are given training and sanctuary in the United States than anywhere on earth. They include mass murderers, torturers, former and future tyrants and assorted international criminals. This is virtually unknown to the American public, thanks to the freest media on earth."

"During my lifetime, America has been constantly waging war against much of humanity: impoverished people mostly, in stricken places."

"In these surreal days, there is one truth. Nothing justified the killing of innocent people in America last week and nothing justifies the killing of innocent people anywhere else." (referring to 9/11)

Since his early years as a war correspondent in Vietnam, Pilger has been a trenchant critic of western foreign policy.

His views are widely publicised through his writings and documentary films. His polemical style has attracted both praise and criticism. But there is no denying the force and relevancy of his critiques.

Pilger turns his attention to the iniquities of American foreign policy in Latin America in Kelab Seni Filem's screening tonight --



Monday 26 May, 8.00pm

The War on Democracy

John Pilger; UK/Australia, 2007, 94 min

Award-winning journalist John Pilger examines the role of Washington in America's manipualtion of Latin American politics during the last 50 years leading up to the struggle by ordinary people to free themselves from poverty and racism.

Since the mid 19th century Latin America has been the 'backyard' of the US, a collection of mostly vassal states whose compliant and often brutal regimes have reinforced the 'invisibility'of their majority peoples. The film reveals similar CIA policies to be continuing in Iraq, Iran and the Lebanon. The rise of Venezuela's Hugo Chavez, despite ongoing Washington backed efforts to unseat him in spite of his overwhelming mass popularity, is democratic in a way that has been forgotten or abandoned by the west.

* One of the film's great coups is Pilger's interview with Hugo Chavez himself.



Festivals: Cannes 2007; Galway 2007.

HELP Univ College Theatrette, Pusat Bandar Damansara, KL
Admission by membership, available at the door: RM60 1 year (students RM30); RM40 6 mths; RM30 4 mths
Free admission for Alliance Francaise members & HELP students
Enquiries: 012-2255136

Raymond Red Program

Raymond Red Program
Filipino filmmaker and teacher Raymond Red, who is chief judge for the BMW Short Film Awards, will present a special program for Kelab when he comes for the awards presentation.
He will present and discuss with the audience his short film Anino (Shadows), winner of the Cannes Palme d'Or, and a number of short films by his students, on Wed 14 May at HELP Univ College Theatrette, at 8pm.
This event is open to the public, free of charge.

There is no screening on Monday 12 May.

The Raod to Kalimugtong

Kelab Seni Filem presents an award-winning Philippine indie film...

Monday 5 May 8.00pm
The Raod to Kalimugtong
Mes De Guzman; 2005, 87 min

For Jinky and Potpot, two Igorot children living in Benguet in northern Philippines, life is a daily trek to and from school through mountains, rivers and hanging bridges. Their elder brothers Ramil and Ronaldo work as market porters and all-round handymen to earn money and to Jinky and Potpot to school. Having lost their parents when they were all still young, and now living with their ailing grandfather, they have to support the family and fend for themselves. This portrait of rural family life in majestic Benguet is a lyrical tale of faith and survival, performed with freshness and spontaneity by real Igorot children. The beautiful images heighten the subtlety to lend a powerful voice to the marginalised people.

New Director's Prize, San Sebastian International Film Festival
Jury Prize, Cinemanila Film Festival
Best Director & Best Prod Design, Urian Awards
11 nominations including Best Picture, Gaward Urian

HELP Univ College Theatrette, Pusat Bandar Damansara, KL
Admission by membership, available at the door: RM60 1 year (students RM30); RM40 6 mths; RM30 4 mths

The Truth Be Told

Supinya Klangnarong dared to challenge the commercial might of Shin Corporation, Pimpaka Towira dared to document the consequences of that act...

Catch Pimpaka Towira's acclaimed documentary tonight, the last of Kelab Seni Filem's Rotterdam Connection films programmed for this month.

Mon 28 April, 8pm
The Truth Be Told: the Cases Against Supinya Klangnarong
Pimpaka Towira; Thailand, 2007, 105 min

In October 2005, Thailand telecommunications giant Shin Corporation, owned by the family of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, brought an $11-million defamation lawsuit against Supinya Klangnarong, a prominent Thai journalist, university lecturer and media rights activist. She had accused the corporation of colluding with the government. During the tumultuous months of her trial, director Pimpaka Towira, a leading figure of Thailand's independent film scene, accompanied the level-headed Klangnarong, capturing a portrait of idealism and integrity. The result is a beguiling mix of cinema vérité, personal profile, political exposé and national diary. Proving that freedom of speech and public activism can effect change, The Truth Be Told seamlessly combines a fluid experimental style with an engaging narrative structure that comments on the legal, political and constitutional turmoil in contemporary Thai society.

International Film Festival Rotterdam 2008 Exploding Cinema: New Dragon Inns selection.

Pimpaka Towira studied film at Thammasat University. After graduating, she worked in film production, but finding it disappointing, she turned to journalism and film criticism, which occupied her for several years. Pimpaka is the first female Thai director to attract the attention of international viewers and critics. Her debut film One Night Husband was a critical success. At the 2008 International Film Festival Rotterdam, Pimpaka was also a member of the team that conceived and carried out the interactive and political-themed installation Black Air initiated by Apichatpong Weerasethakul.

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Venue:
HELP University College Theatrette, Pusat Bandar Damansara, KL
Admission by membership, available at the door: RM60 1 year (students RM30); RM40 6 mths; RM30 4 mths
Free admission for Alliance Francaise members & HELP students
Enquiries: 012-2255136

The Rotterdam Connection

For the month of April - a quartet of films from the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR).

Mon 7 April, 8pm
25 Watts
Juan Pablo Rebella & Pablo Stoll; Uruguay, 2001, 92 min

A surprise hit at IFFR, this is a wry Montevideo 'slacker comedy' about three boys Leche, Javi and Seba who wander around the neighbourhood with nothing to do but drink beer, smoke, talk about girls and interact with picturesque characters from the 'barrio'. Fresh and funny, 25 Watts is an auspicious debut for co-directors Rebella and Stoll and consolidates Uruguay's participation in the revitalisation of Latin American cinema.
'In many ways, 25 Watts is a remarkable film. It demonstrates that big budgets and technical resources are not necessary when imagination is present.' Fernando López, La Nación.

The film won a total of 10 awards and 3 nominations, including the VPRO Tiger Award and Youth Jury Prize at the Rotterdam International Film Festival and Best First Feature Film Award at the Havana Film Festival.


Mon 14 April, 8pm
Glue
Alexis dos Santos; Argentina, 2006, 107 min
Rotterdam VPRO Tiger Award competition, 2006.

A comedy/drama set in a small town in vast, empty Patagonia, about three youths - the gawky, young Lucas, a time bomb of hormones, boredom, and family alienation, hangs out with his hunky and horny best friend, Nacho, and bespectacled, mousey gal pal, Andrea. The threesome cope with the trials of burgeoning adolescence by getting high and getting off, mostly, in variations with each other.

Young Jury Award -Golden MovieSquad Shield, VPRO Tiger Awards Competition, Rotterdam 2006.
Best Film, Buenos Aires International Film Festival BAFICI 2006
Audience Award, Buenos Aires International Film Festival BAFICI 2006
Jury Award for Best Film by a young Latin American director, Buenos Aires International Film Festival BAFICI 2006
Honorary Mention from Standard Readers' Jury, Viennale - Vienna International Film Festival 2006
Young Jury Award, Festival des 3 Continents, Nantes, 2006

'Glue serves as an example of how to refresh and make strange a perennial subject. There has lately been a flood of coming-of-age movies, but what makes Glue somewhat exceptional is its intimate, lyrical atmosphere and its almost abstract, painterly use of video.' The New York Times.


Mon 21 April, 8pm
What On Earth Have I Done Wrong?! (Qing fei de yi zhi shengcun zhi dao)
Niu Cheng-ze; Taiwan, 2007, 99 min

Mockumentary about a filmmaker who collects money to make a mockumentary.

Nominated for best feature film, Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival 2007
FIPRESCI Award, Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival 2007
NETPAC Award, International Film Festival Rotterdam 2008

Mon 28 April, 8pm
The Truth Be Told: the Cases Against Supinya Klangnarong
Pimpaka Towira; Thailand, 2007, 105 min

In October 2005, Thailand telecommunications giant Shin Corporation, owned by the family of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, brought an $11-million defamation lawsuit against Supinya Klangnarong, a prominent Thai journalist, university lecturer and media rights activist. She had accused the corporation of colluding with the government. During the tumultuous months of her trial, director Pimpaka Towira, a leading figure of Thailand's independent film scene, accompanied the level-headed Klangnarong, capturing a portrait of idealism and integrity. The result is a beguiling mix of cinema vérité, personal profile, political exposé and national diary. Proving that freedom of speech and public activism can effect change, The Truth Be Told seamlessly combines a fluid experimental style with an engaging narrative structure that comments on the legal, political and constitutional turmoil in contemporary Thai society.

IFFR 2008 Exploding Cinema: New Dragon Inns selection.


HELP University College Theatrette, Pusat Bandar Damansara, KL
Admission by membership, available at the door: RM60 1 year (students RM30); RM40 6 mths; RM30 4 mths
Free admission for Alliance Francaise members & HELP students
Enquiries: 012-2255136

The Tracker

'A stunning piece of visual poetry' Film Threat

The Tracker
Rolf de Heer; Australia, 2002, 98min
In 1922, the Tracker (David Gulpilil, of Walkabout and Rabbit-Proof Fence fame) leads three mounted policemen across the outback in pursuit of the Fugitive, an aborigine who is suspected of murdering a white woman. The Tracker is a mysterious and enigmatic figure whose true character remains unknown. As they move deeper into the bush and further away from civilisation, the toxic forces of paranoia and violence begin to escalate, stirring up questions of what is black and what is white, and who is leading whom. Their journey becomes an acrimonious and murderous trek that shifts power from one man to another; challenged both by the indigenous people they come across as well as by each other.
The soundtrack features 10 original songs performed by award-winning musician Archie Roach.
Best film, director, original screenplay, editing, music & cinematography - Australian Film Critics Awards
Best film & best actor (David Gulpilil) - Australian Film Critics Circle.

'[Gulpilil] is a commanding screen presence, and his character's abundant humanism makes him the film's moral compas' Philadelphia Inquirer

'...one of the best Australian films ever' The Sunday Times

Monday 31 March 2008, 8pm
HELP Univ College Theatrette, Pusat Bandar Damansara, KL
Admission by membership, available at the door: RM60 1 year (students RM30); RM40 6 mths; RM30 4 mths
Free admission for Alliance Francaise members & HELP students
Enquiries: 012-2255136

The Blue Dahlia

Film noir at its best --

The Blue Dahlia
George Marshall; US, 1946, 98min
In this collaboration between Hollywood legend Alan Ladd and the gorgeous Veronica Lake, Johnny Morrison (Ladd) returns home from the war to find his wife kissing the owner of the Blue Dahlia nighclub, Edie Harwood. Angry, Johnny wanders off into the night, but leaves his gun behind. When his ex-wife is murdered with his weapon, he is the prime suspect for her death. He must now struggle to evade the police, find his wife's killer, and clear his name.
The Blue Dahlia showcases film noir at its best - murder, deception, sex and crime.
Produced by John Houseman, written by Raymond Chandler. With William Bendix, Howard Da Silva, Doris Dowling.
'A fine hardboiled thriller, with excellent dialogue and performances' (Time Out).

Monday 24 March 2008, 8pm
HELP Univ College Theatrette, Pusat Bandar Damansara, KL
Admission by membership, available at the door: RM60 1 year (students RM30); RM40 6 mths; RM30 4 mths
Free admission for Alliance Francaise members & HELP students
Enquiries: 012-2255136