By Mabel Pais

The Human Rights Watch Film Festival (HRWFF), now in its 33rd year, will present a hybrid full edition of 10 groundbreaking new films, available both in-person and online nationwide in the U.S., from May 20 to 26, 2022.

For the first time in two years, the New York festival will be back with a full program of in-person screenings at Film at Lincoln Center and IFC Center, with in-depth discussions with filmmakers, film participants, activists and Human Rights Watch researchers. The festival will continue to offer the opportunity to watch all 10 new films online across the U.S. with a full digital edition of the film festival.

This year’s edition highlights activism and features courageous individuals around the world standing up to powerful forces and demanding change. John Biaggi, Director of the Human Rights Watch Film Festival, said, “We are thrilled to be back in theaters after two years away, bringing our audience a full slate of powerful films tackling urgent human rights issues including China, Russia, the climate crisis and reproductive rights.” Lesli Klainberg, President of Film at Lincoln Center said, “History has shown that film not only empowers understanding, but also ignites urgent public dialogues about how to help the most vulnerable.” John Vanco, Senior Vice President and General Manager at IFC Center said, “IFC Center is proud to continue our partnership with the Human Rights Watch Film Festival and support their mission to use cinema to shine a light on important issues.”

FILM LINEUP

REBELLION – OPENING NIGHT

U.S. Premiere

Dirs: Maia Kenworthy & Elena Sanchez Bellot l 2021 l UK, Poland l Eng l Doc l 1h 22m

“Rebellion” brings viewers behind-the-scenes with Extinction Rebellion (XR), as the group confronts the climate emergency – reminding the world there is no time to wait. Emerging as action on climate change dangerously slipped from the political agenda, XR took bold steps to break through the deadlock: mass civil disobedience. It worked. “Rebellion” reminds viewers to question white Western environmentalism and push back against a fight that ignores structural racism and oppression.

In-person screening:

Friday, May 20, 7:00pm, Film at Lincoln Center, Walter Reade Theater

THE JANES – CLOSING NIGHT

Dirs: Tia Lessin & Emma Pildes l 2022 l USA l Eng l Doc l 1h 41m

Grand Jury Prize Documentary Nominee, Sundance Festival, 2022

Seven women were part of a clandestine network that built an underground service for women seeking safe, affordable abortions in the pre-Roe v. Wade era. They called themselves “The Janes.” This galvanizing documentary tells the story of the past and, potentially, the future.

In-person screening:

Thursday, May 26, 7:00pm, IFC Center

CLARISSA’S BATTLE         

World Premiere

Dir: Tamara Perkins l 2022 l USA l Eng l Doc l 1h 30m

Single mother and organizer Clarissa Doutherd is building a powerful coalition of parents fighting for childcare and early education funds, from her own experience of losing childcare and becoming unhoused, desperately needed by low-and middle-income parents and children across the United States. “Clarissa’s Battle” offers an insight into an erupting movement, as communities across the country follow Clarissa’s successes, setbacks and indomitable resilience.

In-person screenings:

Saturday, May 21, 8:00pm, Film at Lincoln Center, Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center

Sunday, May 22, 5:15pm, Film at Lincoln Center, Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center

DELIKADO          

New York Premiere

Dir: Karl Malakunas l 2022 l Philippines, Hong Kong, Australia, USA, UK l Eng, Filipino l Doc l 1h 34m

Official Selection, Hot Docs 2022

A small network of environmental crusaders, Bobby, Tata and Nieves – a charismatic lawyer, a former illegal logger and a fearless politician – are three magnetic leaders fighting to stop corporations and governments seeking to plunder increasingly valuable natural resources in Palawan in the Philippines.

In-person screenings:

Sunday, May 22, 8:00pm, Film at Lincoln Center, Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center

Tuesday, May 24, 9:00pm, IFC Center

ETERNAL SPRING     

U.S. Premiere

Dir: Jason Loftus l 2022 l Canada l Eng, Mandarin Chinese l Doc l 1h 26m

In March 2002, members of the outlawed spiritual group Falun Gong hijacked a state TV station in China. Their goal was to counter the government narrative about their practice. In the aftermath, police raids sweep Changchun City, and comic book illustrator, Daxiong (Justice League, Star Wars), a Falun Gong practitioner, is forced to flee.

In-person screenings:

Monday, May 23, 6:15pm, Film at Lincoln Center, Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center

Tuesday, May 24, 6:30pm, IFC Center

MIDWIVES     

New York Premiere

Dir: Snow Hnin Ei Hlaing l 2022 l Myanmar, Germany, Canada l Rohingya, Rakhine, Burmese l Doc l 1h 31m

Winner, World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award: Excellence in Verité Filmmaking, Sundance 2022

Hla is a Buddhist and the owner of an under-resourced medical clinic in western Myanmar, where the Rohingya (a Muslim minority community) are persecuted and denied basic rights. Nyo is a Rohingya and an apprentice midwife who acts as assistant and translator at the clinic. Risking her own safety daily by helping Muslim patients, she is determined to become a steady healthcare provider and resource for the families who desperately need her.

In-person screenings:

Saturday, May 21, 5:15pm, Film at Lincoln Center, Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center

Monday, May 23, 6:30pm, IFC Center

THE NEW GREATNESS CASE

World Premiere

Dir: Anna Shishova l 2022 l Finland, Croatia, Norway l Russian l Doc l 1h 32m

In “The New Greatness Case” with hidden camera footage, and an intimate relationship with the protagonists, the director, Anna Shishova, shows the complete repression of present-day Russia, and how young, free-thinking people are seen as a threat to the government.

In-person screenings:

Tuesday, May 24, 9:00pm, Film at Lincoln Center, Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center

Wednesday, May 25, 6:30pm, IFC Center

NO U-TURN

New York Premiere

Dir: Ike Nnaebue l 2022 l France, Nigeria, South Africa, Germany l Eng, Igbo, French, Nigerian Pidgin l Doc l 1h 34m

Special Mention, Documentary Award, Berlinale 2022

In his first documentary, “No U-Turn,” Nigerian director Ike Nnaebue retraces the life-changing journey he made over 20 years ago. Overlaid with a powerful poetic commentary, this self-reflective travelog hints at the deep longing of an entire generation for a better life.

In-person screenings:

Tuesday, May 24, 6:15pm, Film at Lincoln Center, Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center

Wednesday, May 25, 9:00pm, IFC Center

UP TO G-CUP

World Premiere

Dir: Jacqueline van Vugt l 2022 l Netherlands l Kurdish, Arabic l Doc l 1h 20m

Northern Iraq’s first lingerie store not only sells underwear, but also acts as a meeting place where women connect to their bodies and sensuality after overcoming the traumas of oppression, war, and conservative morality. Director Jacqueline van Vugt captures intimate stories about love, sex, shame, and war.

In-person screenings:

Monday, May 23, 9:00pm, IFC Center

Wednesday, May 25, 9:00pm, Film at Lincoln Center, Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center

YOU RESEMBLE ME

New York Premiere

Dir: Dina Amer l 2021 l  France,Egypt,USA l Arabic, French l Drama l 1h 31m

Who was Hasna Aït Boulahcen? After the November 2015 Paris bombings, she was labelled “Europe’s first female suicide bomber.” Director Dina Amer, in this nuanced drama shows what happens when society fails to protect a child, and how discrimination, poverty, and abuse facing young people can allow radicalization to plant roots and grow, with devastating impact on the wider community.

Digital Screenings:

DIGITAL SCREENINGS for each film are available to watch at your own pace, any time between May 20-26, 2022 on the festival’s digital streaming platform.

TICKETS

TICKETS can be purchased at the IFC Center, Film at Lincoln Center and Human Rights Watch. In-Theater tickets are available online or at the Film at Lincoln Center (FLC) and the IFC box offices. For individual film tickets or a Festival Pass at a discounted price, visit ff.hrw.org/newyork, filmlinc.org or ifccenter.com. The entire Festival can be rented on the festival streaming site May 20, 9 a.m. EDT until May 26, 11:59 PST. For more information and accessibility options for each digital presentation, visit ff.hrw.org.

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH FILM FESTIVAL

For Details and Program updates, visit ff.hrw.org. For more information and accessibility options for each digital presentation, visit ff.hrw.org.

FESTIVAL IN-PERSON SAFETY PROTOCOLS

For Festival disclaimers, and other Safety Protocols, visit ff.hrw.org

(Mabel Pais writes on Social Issues, The Arts and Entertainment, Cuisine, Health & Wellness and Spirituality)