URGENT APPEAL FOR PERFORMERS IN BURMA (MYANMAR)
ICAF is seriously concerned about the wellbeing of artists and performers in Burma who often face persecution and imprisonment for speaking out against the regime.
In particular ICAF has been calling for the release of the leading comedian, poet and film-maker Zargana, who was arrested on the evening of 4 June 2008 after police raided his home in Yangon.
Some linked his arrest with his private relief efforts to deliver aid to victims of Cyclone Nargis, which struck on 2 May 2008. Zargana has been under arrest in Burma since that time and appeared in court on 14 August 2008 where he was charged with a range of offences, including charges that he had demonstrated disaffection towards the state and government.
If found guilty, Zargana could face up to fifteen years in prison.
ICAF considers his detention and charges to be a breach of Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, has called for his immediate and unconditional release, and for the charges to be dropped.
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ICAF APPEAL on behalf of a Film & Television
College in Baghdad
The Independent Film & Television College in Baghdad was set up
by two UK based Iraqi filmmakers who have long teaching and film
production experience in Europe and the Arab World. 35 years of
dictatorship, 3 devastating wars, 13 years of the most comprehensive
sanctions in history, a military occupation, anarchic political
and criminal violence and now an unpredictable and frightening future
have all but silenced the voices of the ordinary Iraqi people. There
is an urgent need for basic film and television training to enable
young people to explore the reality around them and to put their
thoughts and stories on the screen for the rest of the world to
see.The short, intensive courses in camera, sound, lighting, editing, documentary and short fiction filmmaking are free of charge. Funding comes from charities, trade unions and private individuals. The first courses were held in 2004 and the participants made clear the strong need and desire for this training.
"I've only finished grade three secondary school, but please let me come to the course. All my life I've only ever wanted to make films" Rena, 23 year-old widow
"I'm learning to respect the idea of work… I learn more here in one day than I did in two years on the audiovisual course at university. They say it was better before, but the sanctions destroyed education.’ Amr, 27 years old
"We've never been taught like this before. If we don't understand, you go back and show us and, eventually, we get it; the knowledge feels solid, not just for show." Duraid, 25 years old
"I tried so hard to find a way to live and couldn't. Saddam turned us all into starving animals. I've had to work as a mechanic. I can eat, but now I realise I can't live without art - and I want to learn to make films. I have projects." Taleb, 28 years old
Appeal
For many years, no television or film production independent of government control was possible in Iraq. Sanctions meant no film stock, labs, new video cameras, and certainly no digital technology. In the aftermath of the recent war there was also extensive looting of institutions of all kinds and destruction of equipment.The Independent Film & Television College is appealing to colleagues and friends for donations of money, equipment or support of any other kind. If you can help in any way please contact:
maysoon AT oxymoronfilms.demon.co.uk
kasimabid AT yahoo.co.uk
(Please replace 'AT' with @ when emailing)