Animation at Human Rights Watch Film Festival
Skwigly
Human Rights Watch proudly present the 26th edition of the Human Rights Watch Film Festival from 17-25 March, in partnership with Barbican Cinema, and generously supported by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery. Ten compelling new films from around the world will be presented at this year’s festival, including three screenings at the Barbican in London with live, digital Q&A’s — Opening Night, Centrepiece, and Closing Night. The festival will present a full digital edition with pre- recorded in-depth talks available to stream across the UK and Ireland with filmmakers, film participants, activists, and Human Rights Watch advocates.
Eternal Spring (©Lofty Sky Pictures, image via Human Rights Watch Film Festival)
Among the documentaries, two make extensive use of animation and drawings as a storytelling technique as well as reflection of participants’ personal experiences:
Through insightful interviews and beautiful animated sequences, Jason Loftus’ immersive documentary Eternal Spring reveals the persecution of religious movements, and political dissent by the Chinese government. Stunning animation of drawings by the comic book artist Daxiong (Justice League, Star Wars) graphically reveal his personal memories and experiences, on the 20th anniversary of a bold and perilous hack into state television by a group of Chinese activists.
In Jana Matthes and Andrea Schramm’s Tacheles – The Heart of the Matter, Yaar, a young Jewish Berliner, attempts to process and overcome intergenerational trauma by developing a video game set in 1940’s Germany, where he enables Jews to defend themselves and Nazis to act humanely. He decides to model one of the game’s protagonists, a young Jewish girl, on his grandmother Rina. Her opponent is an SS officer, who is inspired by one of his friend’s actual ancestors. Yaar’s father is shocked, and the work opens old family wounds left unaddressed for generations. While we also witness the creative process of developing the game project – with animated sequences and original illustrations featured – Yaar must find his way between the trauma of preceding generations, and his own claim to an unburdened life.
Animated sequences of crumbling homes also enhance the creative storytelling in Silence Heard Loud – the Opening Night film of this year’s festival, by artist-filmmaker Anna Konik, that weaves together journeys of seven asylum seekers in the UK and elusive dream of home and better life.
LISTINGS
Eternal Spring (長春)
Canada / Jason Loftus / 2022 / 86m
UK Premiere
Streaming to UK + Ireland audiences, 17-25 March, including a pre-recorded discussion. In Mandarin Chinese and English with English subtitles. English captions available.
Tacheles – The Heart of the Matter
Germany / Jana Matthes & Andrea Schramm / 2020 / 104m
UK Premiere
Streaming to UK + Ireland audiences, 17-25 March, including a pre-recorded discussion. In German, Hebrew, and English with English subtitles.
Opening Night
Silence Heard Loud
Poland / 2022 / Anna Konik / 71m
World Premiere
Barbican, Thursday 17 March, 6.30pm (screening), followed by live digital discussion beamed into the Cinema and digitally, for online audiences at 7.45pm.
Also streaming UK + Ireland from 17-25 March, online audiences can watch the film and discussion at their own pace.
In English and Arabic with English subtitles.
For more information and tickets visit Human Rights Watch Film Festival 2022 | Barbican