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Lisa Chappel with her mouth covered. Photos by Vanessa Rushton.
https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1106/S00182/images-celebs-politicians-at-film-for-burmese-comedian.htm
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Images: Celebs, Politicians at Film for Burmese Comedian |
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Images: Lisa Chappell, Raybon Kan, Ginette Mcdonald, Gaylene Preston, Green Party Leader Russel Norman, MP Gareth Hughes and National candidate Paul Foster Bell Attends Charity Screening of This Prison Where I live
Celebrities, politicians, kiwis and former Burmese political prisoners unite for the screening of ‘This Prison Where I Live’ by Academy Award Winning Comedian Rex Bloomstein about the imprisonment of Burmese comedian Zarganar. Over 500 postcards were signed asking for his release and basic human rights.
“It is
my fundamental belief that the basic human aspiration for
freedom can never be subdued by brute force, no matter how
powerful it may be. Values such as human rights, democracy
and the rule of law are not just important, they are the
foundation of a stable and peaceful society. I hope and pray
that Burma's leaders come to understand that a nation's
greatness only comes to fruit when it treats its own
citizens with dignity and respect.”
- Dalai
Lama on the screening ‘This Prison Where I Live’, June
10th, 2011
"Kiwis are very compassionate, if
they know something wrong is happening they will do what
they can about it. I was astonished when I heard about this
especially about the Burma government locking Zarganar away
for using comedy to speak out about the Burmese government
trying to stop aid getting to its people after Cyclone
Nargis. Can you imagine what would happen in New Zealand if
our government tried anything like that after the
Christchurch earthquake, it is outrageous! I am flying down
to the Wellington screening on Monday and I hope everyone
else will support it too."
- Lisa
Chappell, singer/actress (McLeod's
Daughters)
“This Prison Where I
Live”, by British Academy Award-winning director Rex
Bloomstein, is about Myanmar’s greatest living film star
and comedian, 'Zarganar', who was sentenced to 59 years in
prison, without basic human rights (food, water, medication)
for using comedy to speak out against Myanmar’s oppressive
and violent government. It has both comedy and serious
elements to it.
Amnesty International is also inviting New Zealanders to take action calling for Zarganar’s release, through a web petition, available at http://www.amnesty.org.nz/get-involved/take-action-online/free-zarganar-070611. Local groups around the country are organising further screenings of the film through out the year and it is also possible for communities to organise their own screening. Please go to www.amnestyinternational.org.nz for more details
International celebrities who support the fight for human rights in Myanmar/Burma include: Avril Lavigne,Eddie Izzard, Jennifer Aniston and Woody Harrelson, Damien Rice and Emma Thompson. Public and celebrity support recently enabled the high profile release of Myanmar’s political prisoner Aung San Suu Kyi and we hope to achieve the same for Zarganar.
For more information about “This Prison Where I Live”, please visit: http://thisprisonwhereilive.co.uk
ENDS