| NEWSLETTER SEPTEMBER 2010 |
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| NIGHT WALK! Help the women in Congo! |
How far would you walk out of fear for violence?
As filmmakers we try to expose global injustice and oppression through our films. Over the past 5 years we worked in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where we interviewed both victims and perpetrators of sexual violence for our documentaries: Weapon of War and Fighting the Silence.
In the night of 25th of September we will walk 40 km from Rotterdam to the Hague. Stichting Vluchteling, a Dutch foundation organizes this event. As ambassadors of this Night Walk we aim to raise money for the hundreds of thousands of victims of sexual violence in Congo.
Therefore we need your HELP!
Please sponsor us, click here: http://www.nachtvandevluchteling.nl/deelnemers/131
Or take up on the challenge yourself and walk with us!
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| IF @ LOWLANDS FESTIVAL |
Lowlands is one of the biggest and most popular music festivals in the Netherlands, with about 60,000 visitors each year. Besides more than 200 different music acts there is also space for culture, politics and debates.
This year we spoke about our work during the Lowlands political program, Llowgenda, to raise awareness about the situation in Congo. It was a huge challenge to speak for this audience, but they were impressed and touched by our story.
Watch the video: http://vimeo.com/14420129
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| WEAPON OF WAR SELECTED FOR 'GOUDEN KALF' COMPETITION |
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Weapon of War is selected for 'de gouden kalf' competition at the Dutch Film Festival.
Weapon of War will be screened in Utrecht on the following dates.
25-09-2010 at 16:00 in Hoogt 3 - Utrecht
29-09-2010 at 14:00 in Hoogt 3 – Utrecht
For more information: www.filmfestival.nl |
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WEAPON OF WAR
WINS AWARD! |
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We are very proud to announce that Weapon of War won the award of Second Best Film at TRT International Documentary Film Competition in Turkey. The documentary will therefore also be broadcasted on the Turkish national television. |
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FIGHTING THE SILENCE
WINS AWARD! |
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Our documentary Fighting the Silence still travels around the world and is shown at various film festivals. At the Millennium Festival in Belgium, Fighting the Silence won the Award for best Human Rights Content. The award was handed over by the office of the High Commissioner for Human rights. |
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ijselstraat 89-3 • 1078 CG Amsterdam • ilse +31(0)6 42 29 69 48 • femke +31(0)6 42 27 46 65 • info@ifproductions.nl |
| NEWSLETTER JULY 2010 |
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| ON-LINE STORE |
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We are very happy and proud to present our new on-line web store.
From now on you can purchase all our DVD's on-line.
Weapon of War, Fighting the Silence & Return to Angola are available right now.
Visit our store to see our special opening offers! http://www.ifproductions.nl/eng/store.html |
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follow us: |
ijselstraat 89-3 • 1078 CG Amsterdam • ilse +31(0)6 42 29 69 48 • femke +31(0)6 42 27 46 65 • info@ifproductions.nl |
| NEWSLETTER MAY 2010 |
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WEAPON OF WAR WINS DICK
SCHERPENZEEL PRICE 2009 |
On Thursday the 27th of May, Femke en Ilse van Velzen received in Amsterdam the prestigious Dick Scherpenzeel Award for best Dutch Journalistic production for their documentary 'Weapon of War, confessions of rape in Congo were perpetrators reveille their motives to rape in wartimes'.
The Jury, chaired by former correspondent of the newspaper NRC Handelsblad Froukje Santing, ruled that the filmmakers captured "the complete helplessness of reconciliation in a country that is torn apart by violence and rape". "The message, the theme and the cinematographic moments fall magnificently together. This is a journalistic production off the highest level."
The Dick Scherpenzeel Prize is annually awarded to journalistic productions that provide an insight into developmental issues and/or about non-western countries. Previous winners of the Dick Scherpenzeel Prize are: radio reporter Jacqueline Maris, Dick Wittenberg NRC journalist, photographer Kadir van Lohuijzen, freelance Tjitske Lingsma and journalist Joris Luyendijk.
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For more information: http://www.scherpenzeel.org/ |
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| WEAPON OF WAR FIRST TIME BROADCASTED ON TELEVISION |
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We are very happy to announce that Weapon of War will be broadcasted
on the Belgium television (VRT/CANVAS).
WEAPON OF WAR
VRT/Canvas, program Panorama (België 2)
Sunday 30th of MAY at 20:10.
For more information: canvas |
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| NEWSLETTER MAY 2010 |
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| IF IN NEW YORK
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On the 11th of May we travelled to New York to show Weapon of War and start networking there. We started our first day in the Big Apple with a film screening organized by the Permanent Mission of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United Nations, UniFem and UN Action. The diverse audience consisted of UN ambassadors and personnel, civil society partners, the NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security and journalists. We managed to reach a very big target audience.
After the screening of Weapon of War we joined a panel discussion with special guests from the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, the Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Sexual Violence in Conflict, the Permanent Mission of the Netherlands, and Major General Patrick Cammaert, former Force Commander of MONUC in Eastern Congo.
Because this screening had been fully booked within a day, we decided together with the Dutch Permanent Mission to organize a second screening for the following week. In short, the film was very well received.
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| IF IN WASHINGTON, DC |
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On our first day in Washington, DC we had various meetings including one at the U.S. Department of State with the policy advisor for Africa at the Secretary's Office of Global Women's Issues. Together we looked for possible future platforms to screen Weapon of War.
The next day we had a film screening at the United States Institute of Peace as part of a conference on the gender dimensions of conflict, especially how conflict changes gender roles. One of the focal points of the conference was the importance of understanding the motives of perpetrators that commit gender-based violence in conflicts. Weapon of War complemented this theme perfectly and was very well received. After his introduction of the film and filmmakers, Major General Patrick Cammaert joined us for a panel discussion after the film. |
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| TO BE CONTINUED… |
We worked around the clock on our ten-day trip to the United States to meet as many people as possible and create a network for our future endeavours. With the 10th anniversary of UNSCR Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security coming up in October 2010, we are now working hard with the organisations and governments we met in the USA to see how we can use our film Weapon of War to draw more attention to the ever-worsening situation in Congo. We hope to return to the United States this Fall to raise yet more awareness on the topic of sexual violence.
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| NEWSLETTER APRIL 2010 |
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| HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
IN GENEVA
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We were invited to show Weapon of War at a special parallel event at the 13th Session of the Human Rights Council in Geneva on 23rd March. The organisation Femmes Africa Solidarité organized this parallel event to talk and debate about the situation of women in the DRC, under the title “Women in the DRC: The Context of Abuse. What They Face, Why, and How to Progress”. After the film, we joined a debate with panel members: Mr. Richard Lukunda, Assistant to the Minister of Human Rights in DRC. Mrs. Bente Angell-Hansen, Ambassador of the Norwegian Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva. Mr. Scott Campbell, Head of Africa Field Programs of OHCHR. Yao Agbetse, International Advocacy and Training Director, Franciscans International.
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| Ilse: It was great to be able to bring the film to this special parallel event at the Human Rights Council and to share our knowledge there. Film is a powerful medium and creates an instant interesting conversation”. |
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UNIVERSITY TOUR IN LONDON
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After our visit to Geneva, we flew straight to London to show our film Weapon of War at different Universities. Firstly Weapon of War was screened at the Human Rights Centre / University of Essex in Colchester and subsequently at the School of Advanced Study / University of London. We were present to give an introduction and after the film we answered questions from the audience. Showing our films at Universities is very important for us, because students are the future and they have great spirits and enthusiasm to help us in the fight against sexual violence in the DRC. We hope to start new University tours soon in many other countries.
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WEAPON OF WAR IN BELGRADE
Last week we were in Belgrade, Serbia, because Weapon of War was screening at the 57th Belgrade International Film Festival. This year, the Festival included the new program VRELO! (Hot!) for the first time. The Festival’s organizing committee established this program in cooperation with NGOs that are posing similar questions that are raised in the films. The aim of the program is to find some answers in the interactive dialogue between filmmakers, audience, and experts. Film is an excellent medium to start discussions and dialogue about topics with taboos.
Femke: During the festival we discovered that there are a lot of taboos in Serbia around the following topics: domestic and sexual violence, homosexuality and war crimes. Therefore, we think it is a breakthrough that the festival screens films like ours”.
We met up with many women’s organisations and NGOs and talked about the power of film to break taboos in the Balkans. It’s great to be connected to the Serbian women’s network so we can see how we can contribute to their fight too. |
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follow us: |
ijselstraat 89-3 • 1078 CG Amsterdam • ilse +31(0)6 42 29 69 48 • femke +31(0)6 42 27 46 65 • info@ifproductions.nl |
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| NEWSLETTER MARCH 2010 |
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| WEAPON OF WAR SHOWN IN SWEDISH PARLIAMENT
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Last week, Ilse & Femke travelled to Stockholm by invitation of the Swedish Military Armed Forces and the Swedish Parliament to share their knowledge about the ongoing sexual violence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. During their visit, their documentary Weapon of War was screened and followed by debates at the Swedish Parliament and the national Defence College.
Ms. Gunilla Carlsson, the Swedish Minister of Development, gave an inspiring speech about the need for the European Union and the Swedish Government in particular to do more to end the conflict.
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Femke, Ilse and Ms. Gunilla Carlsson, the Swedish Minister of Development
Panel discussion at Defence College
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JOIN US ON FACEBOOK!
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We have recently created a Facebook page for Weapon of War with the aim of sensitizing as many as people as possible about sexual violence in the Congo and enlisting them to join us in our fight against sexual violence.
So please join our Facebook page and contribute to fighting sexual violence by spreading the word about our latest film, Weapon of War, and we invite you to encourage your family, friends and colleagues to also join our Facebook page. Through Facebook we keep you up to date on developments with Weapon of War. We also post photos, information about events and film clips. Click here to visit our Facebook page. |
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FIGHTING THE SILENCE SOLD
TO ITALIAN TELEVISION
The Italian television, recently bought our 2007 documentary Fighting the Silence, which documents the consequences of rape for victims, their families and communities in the Congo.
Two years later, Fighting the Silence is still being screened all over the world and in the next months it will be shown at the following festivals: |
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| WHEN |
FESTIVAL/EVENT |
WHERE |
May 2010 |
Seoul Human Rights Film Festival |
Seoul Korea |
30 April / 9 May |
Human Rights Arts and Film Festival |
Melbourne Australia |
2/11 April |
The Festival International de Films de Femmes |
Créteil France |
Whole year 2010 |
WATCH DOCS travelling Film Festival.
In 2010 Fighting the Silence travels to central libraries and Polish universities. |
Travelling festival
Poland |
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UP-COMING FESTIVALS & EVENTS IN MARCH
| WHEN |
FESTIVAL/EVENT |
WHERE |
WWW |
17 March |
Cinema: Kriterion
(Directors present for Q&A) |
Amsterdam
The Netherlands |
more info |
21 March |
Cinema: Focus
(Directors present for Q&A) |
Arnhem
The Netherlands |
more info |
21 March |
Cinema: Filmhuis Den Haag
(Directors present for Q&A) |
The Hague
The Netherlands |
more info |
22 March |
Cinema: Vera Zienema
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Groningen
The Netherlands |
more info |
23 March |
Screening and panel debate during the 13th session of the Human Rights Council
Organized by: Femmes Africa Solidarité
(Directors present) |
Geneva
Switzerland |
more info |
24 March |
University of Essex, Human Rights Centre
(Directors present) |
London
United Kindom |
more info |
25 March |
University of Nothingham
(Directors present) |
Nothingham
United Kindom |
more info |
25 March |
University of London, School of Advanced Study
(Directors present) |
London
United Kindom |
more info |
27 March |
Movies that Matters Film Festival
(Directors present) |
The Hague
The Netherlands |
more info |
30 March |
Movies that Matters Film Festival
(Directors present) |
The Hague
The Netherlands |
more info |
30 March
/ 03 April |
Belgrade Documentary Film Festival
(Directors present) |
Belgrade
Serbia |
more info |
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ijselstraat 89-3 • 1078 CG Amsterdam • ilse +31(0)6 42 29 69 48 • femke +31(0)6 42 27 46 65 • info@ifproductions.nl |
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| NEWSLETTER FEB 2010 |
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SELECTED FOR
MORE FESTIVALS
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After a successful IDFA, we have been working very hard to get the documentary out in the world. We have submitted Weapon of War to more than 60 film festivals worldwide and will continue doing this for other upcoming festivals.
Our goal is to reach as many people as possible. The film has been selected already for many festivals. Check the list on weaponofwar.nl.
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WEAPON OF WAR
IN DUTCH CINEMAS
If you have not seen the documentary Weapon of War yet, this is your chance! Every month Movies That Matter organizes together with Dutch film theatres in the Netherlands a special human right documentary night.
In the month March, Weapon of War will show in 10 different cinemas. The directors Ilse & Femke van Velzen are present at most screenings for a discussion afterwards. From the 25th till the 31th of March, Weapon of War will screened at the Movies That Matter Film Festival in The Hague. www.moviesthatmatterfestival.nl
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CONFRONTING SOLDIERS IN DRC THROUGH FILM
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The power of film, that is what Ilse & Femke believe in! Besides creating global awareness about the problems in the Congo, they are developing together with Whyze, an Educational Film Project to confront the soldiers of Congo’s national army (FARDC) with the consequences of rape.
Within the FARDC many soldiers and reintegrated ex-rebels have committed rape-related crimes. At the same time, training on conduct and ethics is limited to initiatives that insufficiently touch upon sexual violence and make use of traditional pedagogic tools that are little effective for illiterate soldiers. In order to be able to stop violence against women it is important that Congo’s military personnel is confronted with the topic through testimonies of victims, perpetrators and military and juridical experts.
Ilse van Velzen: ”Most soldiers in the Congo rape or use sexual violence during their military expeditions. They don’t look back on their acts and they will not think about the consequences for the victims, family and community. With the Film project we confront them with real stories, so there is no escape for them to ignore the damage they do”.
Film-based education is powerful because it shares the thoughts and experiences of real people; viewers can relate to them. Film is also remembered in a strong manner and will provoke emotions that help viewers to reflect on their own situation. Eventually it will stimulate them to become an actor of change. This project does not replace other types of military training but complements it.
Femke van Velzen: ”Film is a very powerful tool! We know how to make strong educational films with a very effective impact. Because we have been working on sexual violence for the last five years in DRC and know all different layers involved, we know it will have an impact and reaches soldiers”.
On the basis of the existing footage shot for Weapon of War and Fighting the Silence, approximately five educational films will be edited, each dealing with different topics. Together, those films form a training cycle that will be shown in military camps in five provinces of eastern Congo. A number of qualified Congolese military will be trained to become moderator for the project. They will learn how to facilitate film screenings and how to guide the debate with their fellow-soldiers afterwards. A handbook including practical guidance on the facilitation of the films will be developed as mental aid for the trainers.
The exact content of the education tool will be determined with input from international and Congolese military experts in order to identify the issues that are of most importance when organising training for the FARDC. So far, two preliminary visits have been made to Congo in order to discuss the first ideas on project with the Congolese military hierarchy and other important international actors working on military reform such as the Dutch government, MONUC, USAID and the Belgian and French government. First reactions to the initiative have been very positive and praise the innovative and creative contribution it provides to rebuilding Congo’s army.
Nynke Douma: “We choose for a set-up of the project in which Congo’s army plays an active role in supporting and executing the project. This will help to generate ownership, with the ultimate goal of stimulating the inclusion of training on human rights violations within Congo’s official military educational curriculum.”
(MORE INFO: http://weaponofwar.nl/outreach.php)
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ijselstraat 89-3 • 1078 CG Amsterdam • ilse +31(0)6 42 29 69 48 • femke +31(0)6 42 27 46 65 • info@ifproductions.nl |
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We are very proud to announce that our new documentary ‘JUSTICE FOR SALE’ has been selected for the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA), the largest documentary film festival in the world. ‘Justice for Sale’ follows Claudine, a young and courageous human rights lawyer, in her struggle against injustice and widespread impunity in Congo.
The documentary will be competing in the Dutch Documentary Competition.
