Amnesty International Film Festival
November 12-15, 2009, Vancouver
Opening Night Gala
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Protecting human rights rarely involves humour, and our annual film festival has never presented anything even remotely funny. But along comes The Yes Men Fix the World and we couldn’t resist. So not only are we opening with this zany true story, but we’re turning it into a gala opening – complete with live music, art exhibition, and reception – what better way to celebrate two gonzo political activists who are serious about revealing corporate irresponsibility!
Think mistaken identities, profit per death calculators, DOW Chemical, Exxon, and Haliburton, and you begin to get the picture. Tickets for the Opening Night Gala are just $45 and we expect it will sell out well before the start of the festival, so do purchase your tickets early to avoid disappointment!
Program - doors open at 6 pm |
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6:30 pm
Cory Woodward
Since Cory Woodward arrived on the Vancouver music scene four years ago, the Edmonton born singer-songwriter has been swiftly gaining attention and praise from audiences throughout the city and beyond. With the release of ‘Princess of the Skies’ under his belt, Woodward took the electro-acoustic fusion of his impressive debut CD on tour dates in Europe, the U.S. and across Canada. |
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7:00 pm
Coureurs de nuit
(Night Runners)
Shanouk Newashish / Canada / 2005 / 3 min / Vancouver premiere
No longer able to hunt their prey like their ancestors, young Wemotaci have become night runners through their deserted village. And can they ever run! They run for fun or just to exhaust themselves, until police go after them. |
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7:05 pm
The Yes Men Fix the World
Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonnano / France and USA / 2009 / 87 min / Vancouver premiere
Two gonzo political activists infiltrate the world of big business, pulling off outrageous pranks to highlight how corporate greed is destroying the planet. The Yes Men, Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonnano, have an unusual hobby: posing as top executives of corporations they hate. Armed with nothing but thrift-store suits, they lie their way into business conferences and parody their corporate nemeses (including DOW Chemical, Exxon, and Halliburton), investigate free market worship leading corporations and governments to put profits above people, and call for a new way of thinking in the Obama era. |
Reception to follow (non-alcoholic)
Musical guest: Chika Buston
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