| The Advocates for Human Rights and The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library present the 2007-2008 Women’s Human Rights Film Series
All films are free and open to the public.
Comments and discussion will follow the screening.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.
Enemies of Happiness
St. Anthony Park Branch Library, 2245 Como Avenue, Saint Paul
In September 2005, Afghanistan held its first parliamentary elections in 35 years. Among the candidates for 249 assembly seats was Malalai Joya, a courageous, controversial 27-year-old woman who ignited outrage among hard-liners when she spoke out against corrupt warlords at the Grand Council of tribal elders in 2003. Enemies of Happiness is a revelatory portrait of this extraordinary freedom fighter and the way she won the hearts of voters, as well as a snapshot of life and politics in war-torn Afghanistan. Women’s Program Staff Attorney Rosalyn Park will lead the discussion following the film.
Additional screening on November 7th at 5 p.m. at Humphrey Center, University of Minnesota, presented by the Center on Women and Public Policy
Wednesday, November 28, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.
Journey to Safety
Rice Street Branch Library, 1011 Rice Street, Saint Paul
Journey to Safety is an artistic portrayal of the challenges facing battered immigrant and refugee women when negotiating legal, medical, and government systems. The filmed performance by Pangea World Theater is based on a 2004 report issued by The Advocates for Human Rights, and is followed by interviews with police, policymakers, legal and medical professionals and others working to overcome the barriers battered immigrant women face. Mary C. Ellison, Legal Fellow in the Women’s Program, will host the discussion following the film.
Additional screening on December 5th at 5 p.m. at Humphrey Center, University of Minnesota, presented by the Center on Women and Public Policy
Thursday, December 13, 2007 at 7:00 p.m.
Killer’s Paradise
Riverview Branch Library, 1 E. George Street, Saint Paul
In this powerful film, an award-winning team of filmmakers document the story of the brutal killings of women in Guatemala. Since 1999, more than 2,000 women have been murdered there, with the numbers rising every year. Killer’s Paradise documents the story of Claudina Isabel Velasquez, a 19 year old law student murdered in 2005, as her family urges the authorities to investigate who killed her. Ann Theisen, Education Program Associate at The Advocates will co-host the discussion with Rosa Tock, Legislative Director of the Chicano Latino Affairs Council, who has worked as a political analyst on issues related to democracy, elections and human rights in her home country of Guatemala.
Additional screening on January 30th at 5:30 p.m. at Humphrey Center, University of Minnesota, presented by the Center on Women and Public Policy
Thursday, January 17, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
Crimes of Honour
Merriam Park Branch Library, 1831 Marshall Avenue, Saint Paul
Across the Islamic world, hundreds of women are shot, stabbed, strangled or burned to death each year by their male relatives, because they are thought to have dishonored their families by engaging in unacceptable relationships. Filmed in Jordan and on the West Bank, Crimes of Honour captures the horrific tragedy of this practice, examines the wider societal response, and highlights the work of three women fighting to end this violence. Discussion following the film will be lead by Cheryl A. Thomas, Director of the Women’s Program at The Advocates.
Additional screening on February 27th at 5:30 p.m. at Humphrey Center, University of Minnesota, presented by the Center on Women and Public Policy
Wednesday, February 13, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
Not For Sale and So Deep a Violence
Highland Park Branch Library, 1974 Ford Parkway, Saint Paul
Not For Sale and So Deep a Violence are two compelling short films that address prostitution as violence against women and the links between prostitution and trafficking. These films, produced by the Coalition Against Trafficking in Women, go beyond the myths about prostitution and sex trafficking to demonstrate clear harm and explore what the world needs to do about this massive violation of women’s human rights. Angela Bortel, Staff Attorney in the Women’s Program working on our trafficking needs assessment for the State of Minnesota, will host the discussion afterwards.
Additional screening on March 6th at 12:45 p.m. at Humphrey Center, University of Minnesota, presented by the Center on Women and Public Policy
Tuesday, March 4, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.
View from a Grain of Sand
Arlington Hills Branch Library, 1105 Greenbrier Street, Saint Paul
View from a Grain of Sand is a journey through the last 30 years of Afghanistan's history as lived by three Afghan women. Shot over the last three years in Pakistan and Afghanistan, a doctor, teacher and social activist tell how their lives were violently affected by wars of international making and three different regimes in Afghanistan. Yet through all their loss, and the destruction of their homes and country, these women have endured. With courage, conviction and hope they continue to work on improving the lives of the people around them, against all odds, in this brutalized and divided nation.
Additional screening on March 11th at 12:45 p.m. at Humphrey Center, University of Minnesota, presented by the Center on Women and Public Policy | 
