3 February 2022
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) has announced five films are in the running for the 2022 Human Rights on Film Award as part of the Virgin Media Dublin International Film Festival.
The winning film will be decided by a six-strong jury chaired by disability and LGBTQ+ rights activist Suzy Byrne. Suzy is joined on the panel by former journalist Vincent Browne, citizenship rights activist Emma de Souza, founder and managing director of First Music Contact Angela Doran, and filmmakers Paul Rice and Liam Montgomery.
The five nominated films are:
Young Plato
In Belfast’s Ardoyne area, where a working-class community has been plagued by poverty and violence, a teacher dares to dream big. Maverick headmaster and Elvis fanatic Kevin McArevey and his team are determined to turn around the fortunes of the students in their community. Armed with the wisdoms of ancient Greek philosophers, the boys are encouraged to think about and challenge the conflict and social problems that have hindered them for decades.
Happening
This adaptation of Annie Ernaux’s acclaimed novel won the prestigious Golden Lion at Venice International Film Festival. It tells of Anne, a student in a provincial French college, who discovers she’s pregnant as her final exams approach. At the cusp of her dreams of university life, she considers a termination – but this is 1963, where abortion is illegal and sex is rarely discussed. Early critical praise for the film – described by Deadline as “a bravura piece of filmmaking” – has been universal.
Where is Anne Frank
Acclaimed filmmaker Ari Folman (Waltz with Bashir) brings a fresh new perspective to the story of Anne Frank. Told in animation, it unfolds through Kitty, the imaginary friend Anne addressed her diary entries to. As Kitty goes across Europe in search of her friend, Folman’s film cleverly draws modern-day parallels about acceptance and tolerance – and brings home how if we do not learn from the past, we are doomed to repeat it.
Vicky
In 2018, on the steps of The High Court, Vicky Phelan gave a now-infamous address where she exposed one of the worst women’s health scandals in Irish history: the cervical cancer debacle. Vicky is an exclusive and intimate journey into not only her fight to expose the truth of what happened for all women, but also her own personal fight to stay alive.
Hive
Writer/director Blerta Basholli’s debut became the first in Sundance history to win all three big awards in the World Cinema Dramatic Competition. Based on a true story, Hive tells of a woman struggling with fading hope following the disappearance of her husband during the Kosovan war. Sustenance may finally come through an independent food business – but Fahrije and her peers will have to take on the misogynists standing between them and a better way of life.
ENDS/
Angela Dorgan
Angela Dorgan is the managing director and founder of First Music Contact, a free information and advice resource for musicians and the independent music sector in Ireland. She is also the Chair of the Steering Group of the National Campaign for the Arts, a volunteer-led, grassroots movement that makes the case for the arts in Ireland.
Suzy Byrne
Suzy Byrne is a disabled woman, activist and broadcaster. She is Chairperson of the ICCL Board of Directors and regional manager for the National Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities. Suzy was co-chairperson of the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN) during the campaign to decriminalise homosexuality in 1993 and has also chaired the International Lesbian and Gay Youth Organisation. (IGLYO).
Vincent Browne
Has been a journalist since 1968. He co-founded Magill magazine in 1977. He was editor of the Sunday Tribune from 1983 to 1994. He presented a late night current affairs radio programme on RTÉ for 10 years and a late night television fir TV 3 (now Virgin Media) for 20 years. He has been writing a biography of a political figure over the last few years.
Emma DeSouza
Emma DeSouza is a writer and human rights activist. She successfully reaffirmed the identity and citizenship provisions of the Good Friday Agreement by securing legislative changes to domestic UK immigration law. She works in the area of constitutional law and enforceable human rights protections in Northern Ireland. Emma is the Chairperson of the All-island Women’s Forum, Vice-chair of votingrights.ie, Leadership Coordinator at NWC and sits on the board of Directors of 50:50Ni. Her first book, on how individuals can challenge the state and change the law, is in development.
Paul Rice
Paul Rice is an award winning filmmaker and multidisciplinary artist from Ireland currently based in California. His debut feature A WORM IN THE HEART documented the struggles and triumphs of contemporary queer life in Russia and won ‘Best Documentary’ at both IMAGEOUT New York and Miami OUTShine. The film went on to screen at various film festivals such as SBIFF, CIFF, Visions Du Reel, Watch Docs, World Pride and had its Irish debut at the Dublin International Film Festival. He is also the Creative Director of Dreaming Magazine, Ireland’s queer arts and culture publication.
Liam Jackson Montgomery
Liam Montgomery is a writer and filmmaker originally from Wales (UK), currently based in California. As of 2018 Liam has begun creating queer short films that he writes and co-directs with his partner Paul Rice. His short film, ‘Snout’ has been part of official selections for various film festivals such as Another Hole in the Head, SF Indie Fest and received an honorable mention at the London International Comedy Festival. The film also won ‘Best Original Concept’ at the 2019 Videoscream Festival in Portland, Oregon.
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) is Ireland’s oldest independent human rights campaigning organisation. We monitor, educate and campaign to secure human rights for everyone in Ireland.
For interviews and media queries: sinead.nolan@iccl.ie