Film Examining Chechen Conflict Screening Tonight

Tuesday 15 May – Paramount Theatre Wellington

Switzerland 2005 • 86 mins • Director : Eric Bergkraut • Subtitled
Content may disturb

The video camera has become a new weapon for a group of women documenting the atrocities the Russian government has committed against the Chechen people in their ‘War on Terror’.

Born in exile, Zainap Gashaeva, (called “Coca” – the dove by her parents), has been documenting what have become daily events since 1994: abduction, torture, murder. What has been declared an “anti-terrorist operation” by President Putin has taken on features of genocide. Up to thirty percent of the Chechen population may have been killed, and yet the world continues to look away; be it out of ignorance, helplessness or opportunism.

Together with other women, Zainap has been hiding hundreds of videotapes. She is now bringing these tapes to Western Europe to serve as evidence so that the guilty - on whichever side – are punished.

Awards: Rudolf Vrba Prize Prague, International Human Rights Movie Award Berlinale 2007

ENDS

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