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Festival coverage

Human Rights Watch Film Festival

2012

This international film festival aims to showcase the stories of activists and survivors from across the globe.

Currently in its 16th year, it brings together documentary and fiction films with the intention of galvanising those who watch them to join those taking action against injustices many face every day.

This year's London arm of the festival runs from March 21 to 30 at cinemas including the Curzon Soho, Curzon Mayfair and Ritzy Brixton. and will 15 documentaries and four dramas. It will open with Five Broken Cameras, which won the World Cinema Directing Award at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.

View complete schedule

Other years (17)

Box office and information

Latest reviews

  • 5 Broken Cameras
    Review preview for 5 Broken Cameras

    This is a deeply personal account of life in Palestine, and also one which sends out a strong political message.

    Val Kermode · 4 out of 5
    A Palestinian journalist chronicles his village’s resistance to a separation barrier being erected on their land and in the process captures his young son’s lens on the world.
  • The Island President
    Review preview for The Island President

    Shenk gets almost unfettered acccess to Nasheed, who is refreshingly honest about the tactics he is employing to get other countries onside

    Amber Wilkinson · 4 out of 5
    The story of President Mohamed Nasheed, of the Maldives, and his attempts to save the country by brokering global agreement on climate change.
  • Even The Rain
    Review preview for Even The Rain

    The film's heart is certainly in the right place, but its narrative is more of a scattergun affair.

    Amber Wilkinson · 3.5 out of 5
    A movie crew shooting a film about Columbus find themselves caught up in modern-day protests.
  • Where Do We Go Now?
    Review preview for Where Do We Go Now?

    Labaki manages to get across a view of life that is not predominant in cinematic stories, without making it seem like an agenda.

    Lindis Kipp · 5 out of 5
    A group of Lebanese women try to ease religious tensions between Christians and Muslims in their village.
  • Putin's Kiss
    Review preview for Putin's Kiss

    There are complex machinations at work here - but there's always a sense of the surface being skimmed in favour of telling Drokova's story.

    Amber Wilkinson · 3 out of 5
    A leading light of Russia's nationalist youth movement, begins to question what they really stand for.
  • Family Portrait In Black And White
    Review preview for Family Portrait In Black And White

    Despite the fantastic image this family first presents, the film's best trick is to reveal the ways in which it resembles any other.

    Jennie Kermode · 3.5 out of 5
    A middle aged Ukrainian woman raises twenty seven children in a crumbling rural house, whilst racial prejudice threatens the security of many of the adoptees.
  • Into The Abyss: A Tale Of Death, A Tale Of Life
    Review preview for Into The Abyss: A Tale Of Death, A Tale Of Life

    An intriguing if uneven journey into a strange, violent and very sad part of modern America.

    Owen Van Spall · 3.5 out of 5
    Werner Herzog's powerful exploration of violence and its consequences, told through Death Row inmates and others close to their crimes.