In less than two weeks, more than sixty human rights documentaries from over twenty-five countries will be brought to CEU’s doorstep. The Verzio Film Festival, now in its 11th year, stands as Hungary's only human rights film festival and has developed into an internationally recognized event. Since its initiation in 2004, the festival has worked to not only improve media literacy and awareness on a range of international topics, such as political oppression, minority issues, civil conflicts, women's rights, and refugees, but also to engage the public in critical discussions on these very themes.
This year the festival will open on November 11th with a documentary, Dangerous Acts Starring the Unstable Elements of Belarus. This documentary follows eight actors from the Belarus Free Theatre who find themselves struggling to protect both their art and their safety. In a country where uncensored art is criminalized, the performance troupe faced persecution from the Belarusian KGB for its subversive performances that proclaimed “to hell with the dictatorship” and defied the political system. The film, which tells this astounding story of resistance, had to be smuggled out of Belarus, and will have its premiere at the festival.
In addition to exhibiting an international panorama of documentaries, Verzio commits a portion of the festival to showcasing Hungarian documentaries. This year, 11 different films will feature diverse stories of life in Hungary. Two of these films, Their Skin Was Their Only Skin and Judgment in Hungary tell about the murders of Roma that occurred between 2008 and 2009 in Hungary. The latter documentary follows the 167-day trial and conviction of the four individuals who conducted the killing spree. These stories have been told to both memorialize the victims but to also bring existing racist sentiment to the forefront of national discussions. A range of other issues will be dealt with through the festival’s program with thematic titles like Born Digital, Global Hungarians, Reactive Citizen, Social Movements and Indian Program.
Beyond providing a platform for documentary producers to share these critical stories from around the world, Verzio also offers ‘DocLab.’ DocLab is a series of workshops for filmmakers and festival guests interested in learning more about the documentary process. Experts speak on effective methods of filming, producing and circulating documentaries on the international circuit. Another lecture series, the DunaDOCK Master Class, features professional insights from award-winning film makers including Peter Kerekes, Petra Lataster Czisch, Peter Lataster and Marcell Gero. Not only useful for amateur documentary makers, these workshops are a prime opportunity for students interested in developing media-based advocacy skills. Information and registration for the DocLab and DunaDOCK Master Class can be found on the Verzio Film Festival website.
As we roll into autumn and find ourselves faced with looming midterms and rainy skies, Verzio is an excellent chance for CEU students to engage local Hungarian culture and take a much needed study break. Films will be shown at five different venues around the city, most conveniently at our neighboring OSA archives. Individual tickets are 900 Ft, while those true documentary enthusiasts can pick up a festival pass for 4500 Ft from either the Toldi Cinema or the Művész Cinema.
Giavana Margo
Gender Studies, USA
Dates: November 11 – 16, 2014
Venues: Toldi Cinema Budapest, V., Bajcsy-Zsilinszky út 36-38., tel.: 472 0397, Művész Cinema Budapest, VI., Teréz krt. 30. tel.: 459-5050, Cirko-Gejzír Filmszínház Budapest, V., Balassi Bálint u. 15-17., tel.: 269-1915, Kino, Budapest, XIII, Szent István krt. tel.: 224-5600, OSA Archivum Budapest, V., Arany J. u. 32., tel.: 327-3250
Festival passes: 4500 HUF till 10 November; 5000 HUF from 11 November
Tickets: 900 HUF
Passes can be purchased in Toldi Cinema and Művész Cinema ticket offices.
www.verzio.org
info@verzio.hu
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