Despite human right advances around the world, violations persist. Newspaper headlines remind readers that challenges from refugee camps to brutal dictators call for greater attention.

To answer the need for awareness and education on these and other issues, UNC Asheville's Amnesty International Student Chapter will hold its fifth annual Human Rights Film Festival November 10-14. Some 10 films will be screened; audience discussion by a number of the University's most distinguished faculty will follow each screening. Films will be shown at 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. in UNC Asheville's Highsmith University Union Grotto, unless otherwise noted. The festival, which has become the largest of its kind in the Southeast, is free and open to the public.

The film festival schedule is as follows:
 

Image from "The U.S.A. vs. Al-Arian"

Monday, Nov. 10

4:30 p.m. – "No End in Sight"
This 2007 documentary takes a comprehensive look at the American occupation in Iraq, including a close examination of the actions taken by soldiers, contractors and members of the Bush Administration.

7 p.m. – "The U.S.A. vs. Al-Arian"
This 2007 film follows Sami Al-Arian, a university professor and pro-Palestinian civil rights activist, and his family during and after his U.S. federal trial on terrorism-related charges.


Tuesday, Nov. 11

4:30 p.m. – "Critical Condition"
Critical Condition, a 2008 documentary, explores the nation's growing health care crisis by capturing the stories of four critically ill, uninsured Americans.

7 p.m. – "For the Bible Tells Me So"
This 2007 film examines the intersection between religion and homosexuality in the United States and how the religious right has used its interpretation of the Bible to stigmatize the gay community.
 

Image from "El Inmigrante"

Wednesday, Nov. 12

4:30 p.m. – "The Dictator Hunter"
In this film, viewers follow human rights lawyer Reed Broody over two years and around the world as he attempts to have Hissène Habré, the former leader of Chad, brought to trail or extradited for the alleged killing of thousands of his own people.

7 p.m. – "El Inmigrante"
This 90-minute documentary examines the U.S.-Mexico border debate through the story of Eusebio de Haro, a Mexican migrant who was shot and killed while crossing the border.


Thursday, Nov. 13

4:30 p.m. – "War Dance"
"War Dance" follows the efforts of northern Ugandan students from the Patongo refugee camp as they pour their hearts into winning a music competition.

7 p.m. – "The Trials of Darryl Hunt"
This HBO Documentary follows the story of Darryl Hunt, who was wrongly convicted and jailed for 20 years for a rape and murder he did not commit. The film will be shown in Highsmith University Union room 104.
 

Image from "To See if I'm Smiling"

Friday, Nov. 14

4:30 p.m. – "To See if I'm Smiling"
This 59-minute Israeli film with English subtitles presents the frank testimonials of six female Israeli soldiers stationed in Gaza and the West Bank.

7 p.m. -- "Persepolis"
The film festival will wrap up with the screening of this animated feature, which portrays the coming-of-age story of an outspoken Iranian girl during the Islamic Revolution. The film will be show in Highsmith University Union rooms 221-222.

For more information, call Mark Gibney, UNC Asheville Belk Professor of Humanities, at
828/250-3870.