Garden Court Human Rights Film Festival

Garden Court Chambers is delighted to present a series of six thought-provoking films this autumn. Each film explores different human rights issues connected with our work.

Each film screening will be followed by a panel discussion: panels will comprise the film's director, a Garden Court barrister whose work intersects the issues in the film, and in some cases, others featured in the film or from associated NGOs or campaigning groups. Guests will then be invited to join in discussion, and to join us afterwards for a drinks reception and informal discussion. A cash back concession will be available at the door for most screenings for students and the unwaged who have booked at full price (see below).

Please note that the Film Festival is being run on a not-for-profit basis: proceeds will be donated to related charities and/or used for the production of further documentaries.

On the Streets - Thursday 1 November 2012

(90 mins/UK/Penny Woolcock)

18:00 - 20:50

Shot over eight months by acclaimed director Penny Woolcock, 'On The Streets' gives the homeless and often unheard residents of London a voice, and finds that homelessness is a more complex problem than simply a lack of housing. Student and unwaged concession cash back available.

Discussion Panel

• Chair: Stephen Marsh, barrister, Garden Court Chambers
• Penny Woolcock, the film's director
• Tim Baldwin, barrister, Garden Court Chambers

Book places now through EventBrite

Adam's Rib - Friday 9 November 2012

(101 mins/USA/George Cukor)

18:00 - 20:30

Domestic and professional tensions mount when a husband and wife work as opposing lawyers in a case involving a woman who shot her husband.

This screening will be followed by live musical entertainment to celebrate the end of the film festival. (There will not be a discussion panel after this film.) Student and unwaged concession cash back available.

Book places now through EventBrite

Due to the expected popularity of the Film Festival and for health and safety reasons, all screenings are ticketed events, and places must be booked in advance online through Eventbrite. We regret that we are unable to admit those without valid bookings.

Past Screenings

Who Polices The Police? - Friday 5 October 2012

(52 minutes/UK/2012/Ken Fero/Migrant Media)

18:00 - 20:15

Sean Rigg dies in a caged area in Brixton Police Station in August 2008 and the Independent Police Complaint Commission (IPCC) are called in to investigate. Sean's family are shocked at the death and this soon turns to anger when the government appointed IPCC begin to make error after error in its inquiry - is it incompetence or collusion? Sean's family begin a four year struggle to investigate the death themselves and in the process ask 'Who Polices The Police?' This culminates in an inquest jury delivering a narrative verdict highly critical of the Metropolitan Police, in which barrister Leslie Thomas represents Sean's family. Read more about the film here.

This film is being hosted in partnership with the Institute of Race Relations.

Discussion Panel

• Harmit Athwal (Chair), Institute of Race Relations
• Rigg family
• Ken Fero, the film's director
• Leslie Thomas, the barrister who represented Sean Rigg's family at the inquest

Any proceeds from this screening will be donated to Migrant Media and the Sean Rigg Justice & Chance Campaign. We regret student concession is not available for this screening.

Just Do It - Thursday 11 October 2012

(90 mins/UK/2010/Emily James)

18:00 - 20:50

'Just Do It' is a tale of modern day outlaws. For a year, director Emily James embedded herself with environmental direct action protestors and activists, filming their activities, understanding their mission and capturing a sense of their community, as they blockade factories, attack coal power stations and glue themsevles to thh trading floors of international banks. 'A smart, funny, adrenalised portrait of 21st Century activism' - the Guardian.' Student and unwaged concession cash back available.

Discussion Panel

• Chair: Helen Foot, barrister at Garden Court Chambers
• Tom Wainwright, barrister at Garden Court Chambers and author of The Protest Handbook
• Laura Shacham, producer
• A protester (details TBA)

Hamedullah - Friday 19 October 2012

(23 mins/UK/2012/Sue Clayton/Eastwest Pictues)

18:00 - 20:00

The is the story of Hamedullah Hassany, a teenager who fled Afghanistan for the UK, where he began to live safely and happily. But when Hamedullah was captured and taken to a detention centre, director Sue Clayton was able to covertly film him, and to give him a tiny video camera which he used to bear witness to the rest of his story. Student and unwaged concession cash back available.

Discussion Panel

• Chair: Raza Halim, barrister at Garden Court Chambers specialising in asylum and immigration law
• Sue Clayton, the film's director
• Sonali Naik, barrister at Garden Court Chambers specialising in asylum and immigration law
• Shu Shin Luh, barrister at Garden Court Chambers specialising in social welfare and immigration law
• A young Afghan person who writes the Life After Deportation blog.

Riot from Wrong - Thursday 25 October 2012

(63 mins/UK/2012/Teddy Nygh)

18:00 - 20:30

A unique and powerful film made by young people, 'Riot From Wrong' reflects the mission of young Londoners to understand how and why last summer's riots happened in their communities, and covers perspectives from young people, community activists, journalists, politicians, lawyers and police. Student and unwaged concession cash back available.

Discussion Panel

• Chair: Terry McGuinness, barrister Garden Court Chambers
• Teddy Nygh, the film's director
• Shereener Browne, barrister, Garden Court Chambers