Sponsored by the Political Science Dept and IDS
Keynote Film Friday
October 3, 7:00–9:00 PM (doors open 6:30 PM)
The Stand
(NFB)
1 hr 34 min run time
“In the fall of 1985, a small group of Haida people stood on a muddy logging road on Lyell Island—and refused to move. What followed was a landmark act of peaceful resistance that helped spark a nationwide reckoning around land, sovereignty and environmental justice. Drawing from over a hundred hours of electrifying archival footage, The Stand immerses us in the tension, courage and quiet humanity of that moment. Directed by Christopher Auchter (Now Is the Time), the film honours the Elders, activists and supernatural spirits who helped shape a new future for the Haida Nation—and for all of Canada.” (NFB website)
Saturday, October 4
Peace-Building and Post-Conflict Reconciliation
Fambol Tok | 11:00 AM
(2011) 59 min running time
A moving story of post-conflict reconciliation from Sierra Leone. This documentary takes in the perspective of both victims and perpetrators, exploring the fine line that separates these two categories of survivors of violence.
Savage’s Apology | 12:15 PM
(2011) 20 min running time
Continuing the story begun in Fambul Tok, this epilogue to the documentary further explores the impact of reconciliation on perpetrators, shedding light on why reconciliation is seen as a key requirement of long-term peace-building.
War Resisters
A Bold Peace | 1:00 PM
(2020) 90 min running time
This documentary charts the courageous decision of the world’s only country to abandon war. Costa Rica dismantled its military in 1948, choosing to rely instead on a network of alliances, strengthening international law against war, and building a global culture of nonviolence. Redirecting the public funds that would have supported a standing military, Costa Rica instead embarked on an audacious campaign of publicly funded social services. This story demonstrates how to build a more peaceful world.
Indigenous Peace-Building
The Twelve: a Tale of Wisdom | 3:00 PM
(2019) 1 hr 15 min running time
This documentary charts an precedented gathering of indigenous elders from around the world, meeting at the UN in New York City. Their challenge: to usher into being a planetary vision where humans live in harmony with the natural world and in peace with one another. This powerful film unites spirituality and a activist vision for a better world.
