Los Angeles Independent Film Festival

by Andy Smyser Friday, Jun. 13, 2003 at 10:30 PM
minervach@aol.com 866-filmfest

Los Angeles Independent Film Festival 6/11/03-6/21/03 screens human rights films and other topical independent films.

Independent Feature Project's 2003 Los Angeles Independent Film Festival will screen a number of human rights films. Four of the films included in the human rights category are as follows. For a complete listing of screenings, visit http://www.lafilmfest.com

Baghdad On/Off, Directed by Saad Salman
(Director will participate in a Q& A after both screenings)

When Iraqi born filmmaker Saad Salman receives word his mother is dying, he embarks on a journey he often dreamed of but never imagined he'd undertake - to go back to Baghdad. After crossing the border into Kurdish-controlled Northern Iraq, he and a hired driver attempt to reach the capitol, trying to get into a city that most are desperate to leave, but they are continually thwarted by outlaws, military envoys, and the specter of Saddam Hussein. Remarkably, Salman found people willing to speak with him on-camera. Businessmen and bandits, Kurdish and Arab refugees, small children and elderly widowers, this is the true face of Iraq.
Tues., June 17, 7:45 pm, Directors Guild of America
Wed., June 18 2:30 pm, Laemmle Sunset 5

Flute Player, Directed by Jocelyn Glatzer
(Director will participate in Q&A after both screenings)
Co-Screens with the Refugee

Having escaped the horror of the brutal Khmer Rouge regime as a child, Arn Chorn-Pond is now a leading activist for worldwide human rights, sharing his incredible life jorney from the jungles of Cambodia to the streets of Massachusetts with audiences worldwide. Jocelyn Gatzer's moving documentary follows Arn as he returns to Cambodia, tracking down long - forgotten master musicians in order to learn their traditional songs which he then passes on to his young Cambodian-American students back home.
Fri., June 13, 4:30 pm, Directors Guild of America
Sat., June 14, 4:15 pm, Laemmle Sunset 5

Lost Boys of Sudan, Directed by Megan Mylan, Jon Shenk
(Directors will participate in Q&A after both screenings)

In the late 1980's, tens of thousands of orphaned Sudanese children, their families destroyed by civil war, crossed the desert on a harrowing journey towards U.N. refugee camps in Ethiopia and Kenya. In 2001, four thousand of the boys, now young men, were brought to America. Co-directors Mylan and Shenk follow two such "lost boys" as they come to the U.S. looking for a new life away from the ravages of their homeland, a new life of deodorant and driving lessons, high school and dead end jobs.
Sun., June 15, 5 pm, Laemmle Sunset 5
Tues., June 17th, 7:15 pm, Directors Guild of America

Refugee
Directed by Spencer Nakasako
Co-Screens with The Flute Player

When Cambodian refugee Mike Siv decides to visit his homeland for the first time - and meet the father he's never known - he's unaware of what an emotionally loaded journey he's embarking on. Refugee shows us the difficult, moving reunion of family members separated by war, culture, and time.
Fri., June 13, 4:30 pm, Directors Guild of America
Sat., June 14th, 4:15 pm, Laemmle Sunset 5

Tickets to these screenings are $10. For details on these and other independent films screening, visit www.lafilmfest.com or call 1.866.filmfest.