The Human Rights Film+ Series presents new and classic works of documentary, feature, and journalistic film, as well as video games and other digital media, that address key human rights issues and themes.
Presented by the Human Rights Institute, Dodd Impact, and the School of Fine Art’s Department of Digital Media and Design.
2021-22 Series
Wednesday, November 16, 2022 // 5:00-7:00pm
“Women, Life, Freedom: Iran’s Uprising & the Power of Digital Media”
Location: Konover Auditorium, The Dodd Center for Human Rights
How is today’s movement in Iran different from earlier movements? Speaking from her background as an Iranian women’s rights activist, journalist, and documentary filmmaker, Mahboubeh Abbasgholizadeh will explore how phone cameras, digital media, and social media are changing the nature of progressive movements in Iran, helping to build broader-based alliances where the young generation, particularly women, are in the lead.
Monday, March 28, 2022 // 3:30-4:45pm
“Tacheles - The Heart of the Matter”
Location: Virtual
Yaar is a young Israeli living in Berlin, refusing being a Jew. He accuses his father of suffering from the Holocaust, although he never experienced it firsthand. In order to face his own family history, he decides to communicate the Holocaust in a new way: in a computer game. Together with his two German friends, he creates a 1940s Germany in which Jews can defend themselves and Nazis can act humanely. His father is shocked. “Tacheles - The Heart of the Matter” shows how the trauma of the survivors affects the third generation. By blurring the truth and switching the roles of victims and perpetrators, can anyone cope with his own history?
Thursday, February 10, 2022 // 4-5:30pm
“American Insurrection”
Location: Virtual
In the aftermath of the January 6, 2021 assault on the U.S. Capitol, FRONTLINE, ProPublica, and Berkeley Journalism’s Investigative Reporting Program team up in “American Insurrection” to examine how far-right extremist groups have evolved in the wake of the deadly 2017 Charlottesville rally — and the threat they pose today.
Wednesday, October 20, 2021 // 5-7pm
“Letters from Nuremberg”
Location: Virtual
The student-created film “Letters from Nuremberg” will be screened, followed by a discussion with students, Senator Christopher Dodd, and representatives from University Archives and Special Collections around the theme “Nuremberg: Yesterday and Today.”
Wednesday, September 15, 2021 // 5-7:30pm
Latino Heritage Month Film "Singing our Way to Freedom"
Location: Virtual
Singing Our Way to Freedom is a multilayered look at the life of Chicano musician, composer, and community activist Ramon “Chunky” Sanchez. Borrowing from musical traditions on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border, Chunky uses music and humor as powerful weapons in fighting for social justice. Following a screening of the film, Sam Martinez will host a virtual Q&A with director Paul Espinosa.
History
The Human Rights Film+ Series was initiated in 2005 and has foregrounded critical human rights issues spanning local to global levels through the medium of film. The Series has featured experienced and emerging filmmakers in conversations about their films, engaging students, faculty, staff and community members through post-show discussions. The Series organizers have partnered with varied units on campus to address themes such as civil rights as human rights, economic and social rights, and art and activism. In 2020, we expanded the Series to “Film+” to include other forms of digital media, including games and animation.
Series Archive
2020-21 – Highlighted faculty in UConn’s Department of Digital Media and Design. PDF coming soon.