The 5th Artivist Film Festival, held at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, kicked off last night with a screening of Peter Joseph's Zeitgeist Addendum, the sequel to Joseph's documentary Zeitgeist which had its official world premiere at the 2007 Artivist. Since then, Zeitgeist has been released on Google Video, becoming — as per the Artivist press release — "an on-line phenomenon as the most downloaded film in Internet history."
The 2008 edition of Artivist, which runs until Sunday, October 5, will screen no less than 40 films from no less than 40 countries. Themes range from human and animal rights (same thing, you say…) to the environment.
Partial schedule and synopses of upcoming films are from the Artivist press release:
7:30PM – Friday, October 3, 2008
A POWERFUL NOISE
Director Tom Capello
Hahn is an HIV-positive widow in Vietnam. Nada, a survivor of the Bosnian war. And Jacqueline works in the slums of Bamako, Mali. Three very different lives. Three vastly different worlds. But they share something in common: Power. These ordinary women are overcoming deep-seeded gender barriers to rise up and claim a voice in their societies.
8PM – Friday, October 3, 2008
THEY TURNED OUR DESERT INTO FIRE
Director Marck Brecke
Mark Brecke's They Turned Our Desert Into Fire tells the story of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Darfur, Sudan, through the perspectives of Amtrak passengers during a cross-country train trip, becoming an enlightening and emotional journey through an indifferent American media landscape into the heart of the Darfur tragedy.
9:30PMFriday, October 3, 2008
BOMB HARVEST
Director Kim Mordaunt
Rural poverty in Laos has triggered a brisk illegal trade in bomb scrap metal left from America's Secret War over 35 years ago, and the local children are out hunting for bombs. This timely story is terrifying and yet filled with eccentric characters and humor, vividly depicting the consequences of war and the bravery of those trying to clear up the mess.
3PM – Saturday, October 4, 2008
COMPANIONS TO NONE
Director Bill Buchanan
Companions to None takes an in-depth look at the companion animal overpopulation and abuse crisis in Mexico, the consequences of which are animal suffering and serious human health issues.
8:00PM Saturday, October 4, 2008
ONE WATER
Director Sanjeev Chatterjee
Filmed in 14 countries across the globe, One Water brings home stunning non-verbal visual sequences, compelling expert commentary, local music and an overall score performed by the world renowned Russian National Orchestra, to highlight mankind's changing and challenging relationship to water.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2008 – 2008 ARTIVIST AWARDS
Honoring this year's Winning Films and KPFK Radio's 50th Anniversary as a Community Leader.
6PM: Red Carpet
7PM: Awards Ceremony
8PM: Dinner Reception and Musical Performances
Irish Film Festival of Los Angeles 2008
RELIGULOUS, GIGANTIC, STILL WALKING: Toronto Film Festival 2008
Cinecon 2008 Recap by Allan Ellenberger
Venice Film Festival 2008 – Horizons
Venice Film Festival 2008: Out of Competition Line-Up
GOODBYE SOLO, 35 SHOTS OF RUM, Virna Lisi: Venice Film Festival 2008
THE BURNING PLAIN, INJU, PONYO ON THE CLIFF BY THE SEA: Venice Film Festival 2008
Marco Pontecorvo, Pier Paolo Pasolini: Venice Film Festival 2008