Human Rights Arts & Film Festival 2016

The Human Rights Arts and Film Festival 2016 draws to a close in Melbourne this week in what has been one of the most thought-provoking, insightful and memorable programs that explores diverse and unique human stories. Milk Bar Mag would love to take the opportunity to share with you some of the highlights before Closing Night.

The talk of the not-for-profit festival was the controversial documentary Chasing Asylum, which tells the previously untold stories of asylum seekers held in detention on Manus Island and Nauru. It exposes the hardships and insurmountable challenges they face in finding a new home. The never-before-seen footage is disturbing, but a necessary endeavour if you are ever to gain even the most basic understanding of their plight and the circumstances surrounding off-shore detention.

The Stanford Prison Experiment is screening on Thursday evening and this is one documentary you cannot afford to miss. The film won Best Screenplay at Sundance in 2015. For those who may not know, the Stanford Prison Experiment was an experiment conjured up by Dr Philip Zimbardo in which a prison environment was simulated with university students playing the role of guards and prisoners. Things quickly went awry and, in a matter of days, anarchy ensued as the ‘prison guards’ turned into power-hungry sadists. The film is a great exploration of the dark side of human nature and what one is capable of in positions of power.

Hooligan Sparrow is showing tonight and follows the story of Ye Haiyan – a.k.a. Hooligan Sparrow – and her band of fellow activists as they seek justice for primary school girls who have been sexually abused by their principal while the Chinese government works to stamp them out. On screen you’ll witness the product of 3-months of filming via hidden camera and recording devices, subsequently smuggled out of China and made into what is one of the most raw and enthralling documentaries of the festival.

Each film screening at the Human Rights and Arts Film Festival is designed to weave together stories of diverse individuals who have or are facing human rights issues, in an intelligent and engaging manner. You owe it to your conscience to check these out.