Film Screening - "Those Who Dance" about Rossport, Ogoniland and Imagination

dublin | arts and media | event notice Wednesday January 03, 2007 21:01 by Revolt Video revoltvideo at hushmail dot com

Film screening 7:30

Waged 5 euros/Unwaged 3 euros

Location:
No 6 Lower Ormond Quay is on the north side quays, between capel street and swift's row.

The entrance is a big blue metal door next to Snap Printing. Ring the top buzzer.
(see map)

“Those Who Dance” – a film about Rossport, Ogoniland and Imagination

This fifty minute documentary produced by filmmaker Mayyasa Al-Malzi, documents the struggles, oppression, and similarities of the people of Rossport and Ogoniland, the victims of the oil and gas industry in its pursuit of profits disregarding any obligations they own to the communities and environment were they extract or are attempting to extract the resources form.

Interviews are conducted with Shell to Sea activists, Ogoni exiles, Shell’s public relation representatives in Mayo, and Ogani Solidarity Ireland. What is most striking about this film is that it cuts tough nationality and caste to reveal the similarities both these people face, be it in the third world or the first world from economic exploitation.

“ We are aware of the fact that there is so much wealth in our land and all of it is being taken away by a company called Shell, and the Nigerian government is obviously encouraging it and supporting it. We call it economic slavery.”

- Ogani exile

Statements from Shell’s public relations representatives, eg. “Shell is committed to good environmental practices and I think that is recognized around the world” are rebuked with images of environmental devastation in Oganiland and water contamination in Mayo.

The composition and cinematography is of a high standard capturing the tranquil beauty of Rossport and the environmental devastation of Oganiland. The music, composed by Camilla Cancentata for this film, enhances the flow and rhythm of the imagery adds another uplifting and dreamy element to the film.

This documentary isn’t just about the negative consequences of the oil industry, but contains uplifting examples how human creativity and imagination did, is and can make a better future out of a bleak situation.

There will be copies of this documentary for sale at the film screening and all proceeds will go towards distributing this important film.

Contact the filmmaker:
[email protected]

Recent footage from Ungdomshuset

Another film to beconfirmed