Page 16 - Bofa Programme 2016

Doco BOFA
NATIONAL BIRD 900 NEIGHBOURS
USA / DOCUMENTARY / 2016 AUSTRALIA / DOCUMENTARY / 2006
+ SHORT FILM : THE DRIVER + SHORT FILM : WINDOW
DIRECTOR: SONIA KENNEBECK
“ A film of remarkable access and emotional sensitivity which explores the ethics and efficacy of drone strikes
through the lives o”
drone operators.
Filmmaker
This is a disturbing documentary
which, through the testimonies of
three courageous whistleblowers, sheds some daylight on the USA’s secret military drone programme. Director Sonia Kennebeck juxtaposes Obama’s speeches about drones being able to take out insurgents without harming those around them – with the testimonies of maimed civilian survivors in Afghanistan. Whistle-blower Daniel,
a former signals intelligence analyst
with the NSA, gets the full force of the government machinery dropped on
him, including the raiding of his house
by dozens of FBI agents and the threat of decades in jail for treason. A scathing exposé on America’s use of drone warfare and the effects it has on both the victims and the crews operating
the aircraft.
SATURDAY 4.25 - 6.10PM QVMAG
DIRECTOR: BRENDAN FLETCHER
“Funny,toughandinspiring. ” Vimeo
An audience favourite at the Sydney Film Festival, 900 Neighbours was nominated for Best Documentary at the Film Critics Circle Awards. In 2006 Australia was rocked by headlines: “Skeleton Man Found In Housing Commission Flat.”
The man had died 6 months before. With 900 neighbours in 591 apartments, how did this happen? The huge Northcott apartment block in inner Sydney was born as a solution to the post-war
public housing crisis, but it was a
dream that became a nightmare, with suicides, murders and drug deals. The residents have worked hard to turn that perception around, including mounting
a performance piece Stickybricks, with the help of Lex Marinos, Kerry Armstrong and Leah Purcell. Ex-strippers, homeless men and itinerants, the tenants of Northcott are the stars. Funny, tragic then inspiring all in the same breath, their stories are deeply compelling.
FOLLOWED BY A Q&A; WITH DIRECTOR
SUNDAY 12.15 - 1.40PM QVMAG
f three guilt-stricken
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