Next Screening: Sunday 8 February 2015 Screening, 10.20 for 11am

THE GREAT BOOK ROBBERY
Benny Brunner, Netherlands 2012 [12], Hebrew/Arabic with EST, 57 mins

70,000 Palestinian books were systematically 'collected' by the newborn state of Israel during the 1948 war. The story of the books is at the heart of this film. Was the appropriation of Palestinian books and manuscripts in 1948 a case of cultural theft or preservation? On May 15 Palestinians mark the anniversary of the 'Nakba', the systematic expulsion of the Palestinian people by Zionist militias that began in late 1947 and lasted through 1948 and beyond. As well as land and properties, a lesser known aspect of that expulsion is that Israel looted Palestinian homes of their cultural treasures, among them books, manuscripts, personal papers, photographs and works of art.

 Website    thegreatbookrobbery.org
Twitter      @bookrobbery
Facebook The Great Book Robbery



NOWHERE LEFT TO GO: THE JAHALIN BEDOUIN
Harvey Stein, Palestine 2012 [U], Arabic with EST, 27.55 mins

The Israeli armed forces are on the verge of dispossessing the Jahalin Bedouin of their homeland. The Israeli state neither has legitimacy nor humanity. Only military might allows them to pull down the shacks and school of the defenceless Jahalin Bedouin people, who are forcefully removed, as was done in South Africa during the Apartheid regime. People lament the loss of their land and homes and resist, but to no avail.

Website   jahalin.org
Twitter     @jahalin
Facebook Jahalin Association
Images Jahalin.org









ME AND MY HOMELAND: AN ENDLESS SAD STORY
Suleiman al-Hourani and Hamza Najim, Palestine 2012 [U], Arabic with EST, 11.7 mins

Stories are told of urban refugees who were forcibly removed from their homes and made homeless from 1948 onwards. Every story asserts the right to a good life in their land and the rights to school, sport and a culture that is their own.

 Discussion led by Benny Brunner, filmmaker, Ben Jamal, National Executive member of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, and Angela Godfrey-Goldstein, Advocacy Officer for The Jahalin Association

Nakba 1948 Palestine - Jaramana Refugee Camp, Damascus, Syria - wikimedia.org
Screenings are at Bolívar Hall, 54 Grafton Way, London W1T 5DL.
Nearest tubes: Warren Street and Euston Square.  Overground: Euston.   
Buses: 10, 14, 18, 24, 27, 29, 30, 73, 88, 134, 205, 390.  
Booking information: tickets are available from 10.20am on the day and may not be booked in advance.
Admission £10, concessions £8.  Annual members £6/£4.  Sorry no credit cards. 
Membership details.

Sunday 8 March 2015 Screening, 10.20 for 11am

International Women's Day

 MARÍA QUERIDA (DEAREST MARIA)
Jose Luis Garcia Sanchez, Spain 2004 [U], Spanish with EST, 91 mins

In 1984, having returned to Spain after 45 years of exile, María Zambrano Alarcon (Pilar Bardem), philosopher and essayist was awarded the Cervantes Prize. A young journalist and daughter of a teacher, Lola (María Bottol), attends the press conference and becomes fascinated when she learns that Zambrano too was a teacher but had never practised professionally. Like Zambrano, many Republican intellectuals were forced into exile after the civil war. They suffered separation from their loved ones and their country and longed to return. Journalist and filmmaker Lola has questions to which she searches for answers, while María Zambardo's wisdom helps Lola make decisions in her personal life.

 Nominations for: Best Actress Award (Pilar Bardem) and Best Supporting Actress Award (María Botto)

Note: 20-22 May 2015 Birkbeck School of Arts
María Zambrano amongst the philosophers: a reconsideration
International  Conference details

 HIDDEN HERSTORIES: CLAUDIA JONES
Octavia Foundation Young People, UK 2010 [U], 15 mins
Claudia Jones - Wikimedia


 Hidden Herstories: Women of Change exposes the plight and determination of heroines forgotten by society. One of these, Claudia Jones (1945-1964), was a founder of the West Indian Workers and Students Association, started the West Indian Gazette, protested against the racist murder of Kelso Cochrane and launched the first Caribbean carnival in the UK in 1959. Stephanie Vaz, one of 20 young filmmakers involved in the learning project, said: 'We have had the chance to be involved in every aspect of film.'

Hidden Herstories: Women of Change
Claudia Jones - Wikipedia



Discussion led by Carl-Henrik Bjerstrom, Research Associate, and Mary Davis, visiting Professor, both of Royal Holloway University of London, and Sara Callaway of Women of Colour Global Women's Strike

Screenings are at Bolívar Hall, 54 Grafton Way, London W1T 5DL.
Nearest tube: Warren Street and Euston Square.  Overground: Euston.   
Buses: 10, 14, 18, 24, 27, 29, 30, 73, 88, 134, 205, 390.  
Booking information: tickets are available from 10.20am on the day and may not be booked in advance.
Admission £10, concessions £8.  Annual members £6/£4.  Sorry no credit cards. 
Membership details.

Sunday 12 April 2015 Screening, 10.20 for 11am

CAPITAL (LE CAPITAL)
Costa-Gavras, France 2012 [15]  EST, 114 mins

From legendary Academy-Award-winning writer/director Costa-Gavras comes a fast-paced, darkly-comic, suspenseful drama set in the high stakes world of global finance. When the CEO of France's Phoenix Bank collapses on a golf course, Machiavellian young executive Marc Tourneuil (Gad Elmaleh) is crowned as his replacement. A whirlwind of ruthless ambition, power struggles, greed and deception ensues as Tourneuil's brutal ascent is jeopardized by a hostile takeover attempt from a large American hedge fund led by Dittmar Rigule (Gabriel Byrne), erotic distractions from international supermodel Nassim (Liya Kebede), and adversaries with an agenda for destruction. Capital is a pointed commentary on how the world of contemporary capitalism plays itself out across the global finance stage.

 Nominations and a win at Munich Film Festival 2013 and San Sebastian International Film Festival 2012

 Discussion led by John Green, journalist and former documentary filmmaker and Duncan Lindo, SOAS Research on Money and Finance network.
Image cohen media




Screenings are at Bolívar Hall, 54 Grafton Way, London W1T 5DL.
Nearest tube: Warren Street and Euston Square.  Overground: Euston.   
Buses: 10, 14, 18, 24, 27, 29, 30, 73, 88, 134, 205, 390.  
Booking information: tickets are available from 10.20am on the day and may not be booked in advance.
Admission £10, concessions £8.  Annual members £6/£4.  Sorry no credit cards. 
Membership details.

Sunday 10 May 2015 Screening, 10.20 for 11am

EL CARACAZO
Roman Chalbaud, Venezuela 2005 [Advised PG], Spanish with EST, 110 mins

 The film begins at a meeting in August 2002 where a social activist, Simon Petrov, reads the sentence dictated by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights ordering the Venezuelan state to compensate the relatives of the victims of the 27 February 1989 riots. People at the meeting begin recalling the sequence of events and remembering some tragic events.

 Discussion led by a representative of the Venezuelan Embassy and Dr Francisco Dominguez, head of the Centre for Brazilian and Latin American Studies at Middlesex University

 Image: quecomunismo - Flickr

Screenings are at Bolívar Hall, 54 Grafton Way, London W1T 5DL.
Nearest tube: Warren Street and Euston Square. Overground: Euston.   
Buses: 10, 14, 18, 24, 27, 29, 30, 73, 88, 134, 205, 390.  
Booking information: tickets are available from 10.20am on the day and may not be booked in advance.
Admission £10, concessions £8.  Annual members £6/£4.  Sorry no credit cards. 
Membership details.

(Previously) Sunday 11 January 2015

CURSED BE THE PHOSPHATE
Sami Tlili, Tunisia 2012 [Advised PG], 78 mins

 January 2008: a sit-in lasting six months in front of Redeyef Town Hall, in South West Tunisia marks the beginning of civil dissent. General Ben Ali confronts his first popular uprising. Their names are Moudhaffer, Bechir, Adnene, Leila, Adel, Haroun. They are teachers and unemployed young people in despair showing their rage on the streets or standing to give support for young people whose claims they believe to be legitimate. Their 'revolt for dignity' gave birth three years later to the Tunisian revolution. In the phosphate mining basin, the equation is simple and absurd: the region experiences all the consequences (ecological and otherwise) without any of its advantages. What remains of this human adventure? Broken souls, open wounds but also pride and dignity.

Best Arab documentary Black Pearl Award: Abu Dhabi Film Festival


Cursed be the Phosphate, يلعن بو الفسفاط - trailer 3 mins from Sami Tlili

OCCUPATION: MILLWORKER
Anand Patwardhan, INDIA 1996 [PG], Hindi with EST, 22 mins

Textile mills were once the backbone of Bombay's economy and provided the city with its working class culture. Today, foreign investment and rising real-estate prices have made selling mill lands more profitable than running mills. Mill 'sickness' is now an epidemic. Anand Patwardhan records the inspirational action of workers who, after a four-year lockout, forcibly occupied the New Great Eastern Mill. Management opts to sell the surrounding land, but the unemployed workforce are determined to clear the debris and run the mill themselves.
Image courtesy of patwardhan.com

 Discussion led by John Hilary, Executive Director, War on Want

Screenings are at Bolívar Hall, 54 Grafton Way, London W1T 5DL.
Nearest tube: Warren Street and Euston Square.  Overground: Euston.   
Buses: 10, 14, 18, 24, 27, 29, 30, 73, 88, 134, 205, 390.  
Booking information: tickets are available from 10.20am on the day and may not be booked in advance.
Admission £10, concessions £8.  Annual members £6/£4.  Sorry no credit cards. 
Membership details.

(Previously) Sunday 14 December 2014


PETE SEEGER: THE POWER OF SONG
Jim Brown, US 2007 [PG], 93 mins

Singer/songwriter Pete Seeger was an architect of the folk revival.  His songs include If I had a Hammer and Where Have All the Flowers Gone.  Attacked by the US government for his views on peace, unionism, civil rights and ecology, Seeger was targeted by the anti-communist witch hunt of the 1950s.  In spite of his enormous popularity, he was banned from US television for more than 17 years.  With a combination of never-before-seen archival footage and personal movies made by Seeger and his wife, the film chronicles the life of this legendary artist and political activist.  It serves as a testament to Seeger's belief in the power of song and his conviction that people can make a difference.  Our screening is thought to be its UK première.
Producers Guild of America Award - Outstanding
Image courtesy of musicfilmweb.com





BLACKLISTING - GIANT STEPS 
Reel News, UK 2014 [Advised E], c10 mins

In 2009, the Information Commissioner's Office raided a shadowy organisation called the Consulting Association.  They found a blacklist of over 3,000 workers who'd been denied employment in the construction industry, usually just for raising concerns over health and safety.  The list also included around 400 environmental activists.  Since then, a campaign has raised the possibility of bringing this illegal practice to an end.  We present the latest developments.
Image courtesy of Reel News

Discussion led by Bob Davenport, 'You are one of the very best English singers I've ever heard or known' - letter from Pete Seeger, Derek Wall, International Co-ordinator of the Green Party of England and Wales, and filmmaker Shaun Dey of Reel News

Screenings are at Bolívar Hall, 54 Grafton Way, London W1T 5DL.
Nearest tube: Warren Street.  Overground:  Euston.   
Buses:  10, 14, 18, 24, 27, 29, 30, 73, 88, 134, 205, 390.  
Booking information:  tickets are available from 10.20am on the day and may not be booked in advance.
Admission £10, concessions £8.  Annual members £6/£4.  Sorry no credit cards. 

New LSFC Google calendar

A Google calendar with our scheduled events has been added to the website.
The calendar can be added to your personal calendars on computers, tablets and smartphones.
Just click the button:

In 99% of cases this should work first time.
For those who need some extra advice a page explaining the easiest ways to get it working is on  Adding the LSFC calendar.
A link to the item has also been placed near the very top of the right-hand column.

(Previously) LSFC AGM Sunday 7th December

(Doors open 10.45 for 11am).

 AGM Venue 
Brunswick Centre Tenants Hall
2nd Floor
10 Foundling Court
Brunswick Centre
Marchmont Street
WC1N 1AN
On arrival, there will be tea, coffee and 'nibbles' (and the AGM papers).  The business will be followed by a light lunch.  You are invited to contribute a bottle or food.  Please be in touch with Monique about food contributions.

 The AGM is open to members only.  Membership can be renewed at the start of the meeting.

Entrance via Marchmont Street, nearest to Russell Square tube.
Select number 10 on the door entry system and we will let you in.

View of Brunswick Centre, Marchmont Street, from Russell tube station showing entrance to Tenants Hall on the left -where the woman wearing a red jacket is standing.
Image courtesy of Richard Summers Flickr photostream.

Similar view courtesy of Steve Cadmans Flickr photostream.

Maps with pointer indicating location
TFL Journey Planner
Walking distance from nearest tubes
  • Russell Square 2 mins
  • Kings Cross 12 mins
  • Euston 13 mins
  • Euston Square 15 mins


(Previously) Sunday 9 November 2014

WAR MATTERS
Chester Yang, UK 2013 [U], 50 mins

Chronicling 10 years of an individual's anti-war protest in the City of Westminster, this is the story of the late Brian Haw, veteran peace campaigner who camped in Parliament Square during those years.  The film examines the British arms trade and the repercussions of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars in London, as our democratic rights are curtailed and the threat of 'terrorism' overshadows our streets.

THE LAB
Yotam Feldman, Israel/Belgium/France 2013 [U], Hebrew with EST, 60 mins

A young Israeli filmmaker interviews ex-soldiers and ex-army officers about their activities.  Some of them have become small-scale arms dealers with a world-wide market.  New technology develops new methods in the destruction of human life.  Now they can offer guns that see round corners.  Many countries purchase arms from Israeli manufacturers, reassured that they have been tested... on Palestinians.  The weapons are used in the clearance of Brazilian shanty towns.  Suspected drug traffickers are found guilty and executed without trial.  The way Israeli army personnel respond to the interviewer shocks:  '...these people are born to die.'  We are privileged to screen the film's UK première.


Discussion led by filmmaker Chester Yang, historian Neil Faulkner, research fellow at Bristol University, and Kat Hobbs, Local Outreach Co-ordinator, Campaign Against Arms Trade


Screenings are at Bolívar Hall, 54 Grafton Way, London W1T 5DL.
Nearest tube: Warren Street.  Overground:  Euston.   
Buses:  10, 14, 18, 24, 27, 29, 30, 73, 88, 134, 205, 390.  
Booking information:  tickets are available from 10.20am on the day and may not be booked in advance.
Admission £10, concessions £8.  Annual members £6/£4.  Sorry no credit cards.

(Previously) Sunday 12 October 2014

FIRE IN THE BLOOD
Dylan Mohan Gray, India 2013 [PG], 84 mins

The first non-fiction feature from India to be theatrically released in either the US or UK,
this intricate tale of 'medicine, monopoly and malice' tells us how Western pharmaceutical companies and governments aggressively blocked access to low-cost AIDS drugs for the countries of Africa and the global south - causing ten million or more unnecessary deaths.  Shot on four continents and including contributions from Bill Clinton, Desmond Tutu and Joseph Stiglitz, this is the true story of the remarkable coalition which came together to stop 'the Crime of the Century'.  Dramatic past victories having given way to serious setbacks, - engineered far from public view - the real fight for access to life-saving medicine is almost certainly just beginning.
Winner of the first ever Political Film Prize at Filmfest Hamburg

CRICKLEWOOD CRAIC
Andrew Berekdar, UK 2012 [U]

Cricklewood Craic is a portrait of Irish construction workers who lived and sought work in north west London between the 1950s and the end of the 20th Century.  Four retired construction workers who migrated to London recount their experiences and reveal a once thriving Irish community.


Discussion led by Jeremy Corbyn, Member of Parliament for Islington North, Dr Ang Swee Chai, consultant orthopaedic surgeon at the Royal London Hospital, and filmmaker Andrew Berekdar


Screenings are at Bolívar Hall, 54 Grafton Way, London W1T 5DL.
Nearest tube: Warren Street.  Overground:  Euston.   
Buses:  10, 14, 18, 24, 27, 29, 30, 73, 88, 134, 205, 390.  
Booking information:  tickets are available from 10.20am on the day and may not be booked in advance.
Admission £10, concessions £8.  Annual members £6/£4.  Sorry no credit cards. 
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