[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anpLun7lm5A[/youtube]
The 5th Annual Toronto Human Rights Film Festival wrapped last night with Osvalde Lewat-Hallade’s moving documentary A Love During The War. The screening was preceded by a reception at Bau-Xi Gallery and a heart-breaking speech by Sgt. Debbie Bodkin about her experiences working as an investigator with the United Nations Commission of Inquiry for Darfur in Sudan. (More to follow in the coming days on Sgt. Bodkin’s speech).
All in all this year’s festival was a rousing success with sold-out houses for all seven films. Highlights included the opening night film, Buddha Collapsed Out of Shame, which continues to grab accolades and awards at major film festivals throughout the world; Chop Shop, an amazing sophomore effort from director Ramin Bahrani; and These Girls for the best opening shot of the festival.
The festival was also honored to have director Alex Gibney in attendance just days after winning the Oscar for his documentary Taxi to the Dark Side. While in Toronto, Alex was interviewed by Anna Maria Tremonti for CBC Radio’s “The Current.” That interview has now been posted to the CBC Website and can be streamed as a Real Audio file. And for those of you who are fans of night-time talk show “The Hour”, Alex’s interview with George Stroumboulopoulous is also online.
Thanks to everyone who attended despite the chilly winter weather. We hope you enjoy the video clip (above), which was shot opening night at the Isabel Bader Theatre.
