Revolutions (4 Parts)

Synopsis

A series of four videos dealing with revolutions that have taken place in four countries: Argentina - Argentinians revolting against their bankrupt state; Haiti - Jean-Bertrand Aristide and Haiti’s uncertain future; Georgia - a model for ‘soft’ revolutions; Madagascar - two presidents for a single chair.

Language

English

Country

Australia

Year of release

2011

Subjects

History; Politics & government

Keywords

Argentina; Haiti; political events; revolutions (political); Madagascar; Georgia

Online availability

URI

http://www.artfilms-digital.com/Search.aspx?q=revolutions

Price

poa

Delivery

Streamed

Distribution Formats

Type

DVD

Format

Region 0 PAL

Price

£122.00 (each)£432.00 (set)

Availability

Sale

Duration/Size

52 minutes each part

Year

2012

Sections

Title

Argentina: The Pots’n Pans Revolution

Synopsis

December 2001, Buenos Aires. A disturbing silence pervades the city. Five days before Christmas, frustrated Argentineans looted the supermarkets. The government reacted immediately by proclaiming a state of emergency. Violent confrontations take place during the night between the demonstrators and special police forces. The situation approaches anarchy for twelve days, five Presidents are going to succeed each other.

The film shows images of the revolt until the present, it also includes archived clips dating back to 1912. It explores the historical roots and events before and after that Christmas and what the future holds for this young democracy in danger?

Duration

52 mins

Title

Haiti: An Endless Revolution

Synopsis

A complex historical truth emerges in Nicolas Rossier’s intelligent examination revealing the often supressed story of the 2004 Coup d’état in Haiti, as well as the systemic violence and human rights violations that erupted under the interim government. An interview with the deposed president, Jean-Bertrand Aristide in Pretoria, South Africa, is juxtaposed with the views of a wide range of supporters and critics, including US Assistant Secretary of State Roger Noriega. It is not
Aristide and the Lavalas supporters who emerge looking like thugs but international interests concerned with suppressing popular democracy and ending the reforms Aristide was capable of making- despite embargoes and the need to service a debt for loans Haiti never received.

History repeated itself in Haiti in 2004 in that the former parish priest had already been deposed as president in 1991 with CIA support. His kidnapping marked the fourth American intervention into Haiti in 90 years. This was also not the first intervention by France. In 1801, Napoleon had the leader of free Haiti, Toussant L’Ouverture, seized and deported to prison in France where he died. While faced with the strangulation of aid, Aristide had begun a campaign for reparations. This provocative investigation draws out the central place of international history in the historical poverty of Haiti.

The film features an exclusive interview with Jean- Bertrand Aristide and other great personalities such as Dr.Paul Farmer, Assistant Secretary of State Roger Noriega, John Shattuck, Haiti de facto leader Gerard Latortue, Maxine Waters, Jeffrey Sachs, Laennec Hurbon, Guire Poulard, Noam Chomsky, Timothey Carney, Orlando Marville, Kim Ives, Ray Laforest, Brian Concannon, Mario Dupuy, Danny Glover, James Dobbins, Claude Moise and many other Haitian voices.

Duration

52 mins

Title

Georgia: The Rose Revolution

Synopsis

October 2003, Georgia. In this post-soviet Republic weakened by civil war and the
succession of several territories in the early 1990’s, a democratic opposition movement protests the outcome of the election, claiming fraud. Under the leadership of the charismatic Mikhail Saakachvili, also known as « Micha », the establishment is swept away in a mere few weeks.

The film shows an inside glance at a successful revolution, one that
remained non-violent and served as an inspiration for events which led other former
soviet republics, like Ukraine towards democracy. That context, however, remains
fragile, as can be seen in the « accidental » death on February 3, 2005 of Prime Minister Zourab Zhvania, close collaborator of the new President.

Duration

52 mins

Title

Madagascar: Seven Months of Chaos

Synopsis

December 16, 2001: Madagascar. One of the world’s poorest countries falls into chaos.
The roots of this crisis are two men fighting to control disputed electoral results: Didier Ratsiraka, the incumbent president, and his foe, Marc Ravalomanana, the presidential challenger. For seven months one of the poorest countries in the world is asphyxiated by this turmoil: barricades are set up, tortures take place, and the crisis escalates into a true civil war.

In late June the political calamity ends with the official recognition of Marc Ravalomanana by the United States. Ratsiraka flees the country. Meanwhile, these two men have plunged the country into an unimaginable humanitarian, political and economic catastrophe. The consequences for the Malagasy people are still immeasurable.

Duration

52 mins

Distributor

Name

Artfilms Europe

Email

info@artfilms.com.au

Web

http://www.artfilms.co.uk External site opens in new window

Phone

+44 208 265 1752

Fax

+44 207 117 5174

Address

PO Box 71507
London
SE10 1BY
United Kingdom

Notes

Artfilms Europe is the European distributor of the collection of Contemporary Arts Media, Australia (previously known as Hush Video). The collection originally specialised in drama and the performing arts but has since widened its remit across the arts spectrum to include visual arts, design, architecture, new media and digital arts in its collection of over 5,000 titles. Separate subject catalogues, printed or online in pdf format, are available for theatre, dance, visual arts, film & cinema, new media, music, performance art and communication & culture. Sale on DVD or streamed on a pay-per-view or subscription basis from www.artfiflms-digital.com. From 2015, private users can subscribe via a digital site licence for £8 per month, allowing access to a selection of 300 - 400 films.