Last night I went to the opening of the 2009 Human Rights Film Fesitval at the Rialto Cinema. Some inspiring words from people from the festival, from the human rights comission and Lifewise.

The opener was a NZ 30 minute doco called Putting Homelessness Into Focus which was a very powerful look into an issue which isnt clearly defined or properly understood- a chance to meet real people who are marginalised from society and are victim to very powerful and dangerous stereotypes.

The Main Feature was a film called Kicking It which was a fantastic film about the Annual Homeless Soccer Worldcup – the film featured 6 players from 6 of the 48 nations which were competing in Cape Town, South Aftrica. The most touching films for me are those who really give you an opporunity to meet someone who you otherwise would of never. Very strong stuff and inspiring.

I highly reccomend you go and see a film at this festival – the director claims that every one of their feature films will inspire you and challenge you – which certainly happened to me during Kicking It. Worthy of mention is the film “8” which is screening this coming Friday (22nd 6pm) – 8 Directors tell 8 stories each based on one of the 8 Millenium Development Goals which were signed bu 191 countries in the year 2000 in an attempt to reduce global poverty by half by 2015. Some of the directors include Gus Van Sant, Gael Garcia Bernal and Jane Campion. Let me know if your going and we can plan something together.