An Independent Mind: Reviews / 2008
The Independent - review How does a cartoonist confront the threat of imprisonment for caricaturing the president? How does a musician deal with exile for performing a song? How does a comedian survive being sent to a labor camp for telling a joke? How does a poet endure the impact of being tortured?
AN INDEPENDENT MIND
A film by Rex Bloomstein
These are some of the stories you will encounter in AN INDEPENDENT MIND, a unique feature-length documentary inspired by one of the most fundamental and controversial of human rights: Freedom of Expression.
Enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, freedom of expression is one of the most fundamental rights of all. It is the very cornerstone of democracy and underpins the values of any ‘free’ society.
But with the emergence of new threats that challenge the balance between the security of the state and the freedom of the individual, it is increasingly coming under attack.
AN INDEPENDENT MIND is a 90 minute documentary by BAFTA winning director Rex Bloomstein celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
The film was awarded The Human Rights Award from Biografilm Festival in Bologna and premiered at DocDays as part of Frontline at The Curzon in London on the 14th of September 2008.
AN INDEPENDENT MIND has screened around the world and was broadcast in the UK on More4 on 9th December 2008.
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AWARDS
Biografilm Festival in Bologna – recipient of The Human Rights Award
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REVIEWS
“… a wonderful new documentary…”
“…a packed crowd at the Soho Curzon sat enthralled and outraged…”
Charlie Beckett’s Review
Charlie Beckett
Guardian Guide
“Rex Bloomstein’s thoughtful, subtle film asks what has become of one of the defining questions of our time… Excellent.”
Observer Digital Pick of the Day
“Marking the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Rex Bloomstein’s film raises issues of freedom of speech by letting various individuals relate their battle to express themselves.”
Independent, The New Review
“Bloomstein’s film is unsettling. With no narrator to guide you or music to distract you, the stories speak for themselves, with often surprising consequences…. In the past, the director has won awards for his unflinching films about prisons and the Holocaust (including KZ and Kids Behind Bars). An Independent Mind is a similarly stirring, challenging piece of work.”
The Times Digital Choice
“As soon as you start saying this opinion is accepted and acceptable and that opinion is not acceptable, then you are degrading society.” A laudable closing statement for this meaty film.
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PAST SCREENINGS
Special Preview
Essex University Human Rights Centre’s 25th anniversary celebrations.
Human Rights Centre 25th Anniversary
07 May 2008
Premiere and Director’s Q&A
DocDays and Frontline Club at The Curzon, London
DocDays and Frontline Club
14 September 2008
Festival Against Censorship - Guernika, Spain
Festival Against Censorship
18 October 2008
Human Rights Human Wrongs, Film Festival Oslo, Norway
Human Rights Human Wrongs
03 - 07 December 2008
Ambulante Film Festival, Mexico
Ambulante Film Festival
01 February - 24 April (travelling), 2008.
Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE), Hot Docs and The Walrus present “An Independent Mind”.
Canadian Journalists for Free Expression
11 August 2008
RSA screens
RSA screens
08 December 2008
TV Broadcast
Sky Broadcast
10 December 2008
Paris International Festival of Human Rights
Paris International Festival of Human Rights
03 - 15 March 2009
Movies That Matter Film Festival, Holland
Movies That Matter
02 - 08 April 2009
Wed 13th May, 2009 - Goodenough College
Contact Goodenough College
7.30pm, Tues 12th May, 2009 - Roxy Cinema
Roxy Cinema Listings
Screened in 10 cities across New Zealand on Courage Day.
Further screenings in Stockholm - Copenhagen - Toronto - UK
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Directed by Rex Bloomstein
Executive Producers: DOCFACTORY