Occupation 101

Sunday night was jammed packed at the Academy Cinema screening two films; Occupation 101 & The Iron Wall.

Occupation 101 is definitely worthy of its numerous film awards.  It is a compelling and powerful film on the Palestine’s story of the Israeli occupation on the West Bank.  This view has not been considered in the media to date. The film increased my understanding of this subject matter considerably.  It looked at the history: how Israel and associated settlements were founded, based on an unquestioned belief of land ownership purely based on their religious beliefs.

It was an emotional insight of the IRON WALL, a huge patrolled wall (twice the size of the berlin wall) confining and isolating Palestinian communities, curfews and checkpoints (restricting movement between Palestine communities).   This issue may be addressed by the media as Barrack Obama is soon to meet with Israeli leader to discuss Israeli settlements on the West Bank

We can help by buying Palestine Olive Oil.  In your supermarket or Trade Aid store produced by local Palestinians.

It was 5/5 for me.

Trade Aid Gala

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Good fun, good vibes coming from Trade Aid on Saturday, celebrating Fair Trade fortnight. It was a hub of colourful activity- talented musicians jamming and creating a vibrant atmosphere alluring dancers. Free hot chocolates and coffees were gratefully recieved on the crisp saturday afternoon. Kids joined in on bead making and face painting.  Alex and I volunteered our services face painting.  If you haven’t had your face painted- get it done- It is a whole lot of fun.

I missed the bike ride ‘on the flat’ on Sunday but Im looking forward to the movies this weekend at the academy cinema(see our event page, or click on the tags). There is a good line up of thought provoking films.

a good night out

It was quality entertainment last night at the Academy Cinema. Greeted with yummy Fair trade chocolate and warming hot chocolates and coffees on arrival. All this and 2 films- for only $5. Bargain.

The Film ‘Cheat Neutral’ was entertaining and very clever, showing clever humour as effective tool to bring about change. Quirky, fun and lighthearted. For those of you who missed it can see it next Saturday @8pm (16th May).

‘What about me?’ A sequel to ’1 giant leap’.  A thought provoking film, using music to convey the complexities of human nature.  The music is from 50 different countries from KD Lang, to Chinese rappers, Gabonese Pygmies and Tuvan Throat singers.  I gained lots from watching it- it was empowering and encouraging humans to celebrate ourselves and our wild spirits, while being aware of marketing powers and pressures.

Credit to Trade Aid & Forest and Bird, for organising these events

4.5/5 for me. what did you think?
“a genuinely groundbreaking audio-visual project of global dimensions” – Daily Telegraph

kicking off -the FT fortnight fest has began

There were only good vibes at Sammy’s last night for a great night to celebrate the opening of the Fair Trade Fortnight. SEA (Students for Environmental Action), did a fantastic job organising the event. The stalls were informative- DCC (Dunedin City Council) had plenty of good quality brochures about composing and worm farms and helpful fridge magnets. Trade Aid were popular with free chocolate samples, Green party, volunteer Dunedin, and other organic stalls.

I volunteered, helping Tahu McKenzie ( iconic dunedinite) paint faces.  Those who were gutsy enough, as it was my first time face painting & I recommend it as a fun time.

Unfortunately I had to leave early just as the music was kicking into gear.  My highlights were- free seed bombs, free chocolate, tasty organic bread and pesto and delicious organic beer samples.  The atmosphere was good feel, music was lively and upbeat, it was warming up to be a good memorable night out.

fair trade- missed opportunities

We have been scouting out amongst the cafes and still have not seen any Fair Trade posters promoting the Fair Trade Festival.  The Fair Trade Fortnight Festival has got loads of interesting movies and events for people to do and see starting tomorrow.  Hopefully the posters are out there, and we just haven’t spotted them.

Fair Trade Fest kicks off Friday 1st

We are getting involved in Fair Trade Fortnight with the first event of the Festival THIS WEEKEND and so can you! We are finally ready to ditch the cafe scene and to roll up our sleeves for some good tasty ORGANIC beer! Meet a bunch of the crew behind Fairtrade in Dunedin at Sammys this Friday (that’s 65 Crawford St which is just past and south of the Octagon). This could be our chance to bail a few of them up in a corner and really get to know what is happening with Fairtrade in Dunedin… Only $5 entry to the bar with stalls of organic food, beer and some great sounds.

The event is organised by SEA (Students for Environmental Action). The money raised will go to create a seed bank of organic vegetables and heritage seeds – at the same time testing which of them will grow best in Dunedin. We are going to volunteer and pour some beers.  See you there Friday night 8-12pm!

film feast

Just so you don’t get lost on the way to the fair trade film fest, here’s a pic of the Academy cinema – although you may be able to find your way just from the caffeine aroma Saturday night. It doesn’t look so spooky in real life but it is very cool.

Academy Cinema on Dundas St, by the rugby park

The first film night of the fortnight festival is 2 May and has the theme Trade. First feature up is:

Squeezed: the real cost of free trade in the Asia-Pacific

(Australia 2007, 40 mins)

“Filmed in Thailand and The Philippines in July 2007,Squeezed tells the story of how free trade agreements and globalisation are changing the lives of millions of people living in the Asia-Pacific region.

Featuring interviews with farmers, workers and slum-dwellers, the film travels across the landscapes of Asia, from the lush rice paddies of Thailand to squatter settlements perched on a rubbish dump in urban Manila.

A short film of contrasts and contradictions, Squeezed is an emotional document of the impact of globalisation on people in the Asia-Pacific, and their responses to it.”

For links to info on films for the rest of the fest go to the events page.. cool! http://fairtradeindunedin.wordpress.com/products/

up coming film fest..

As part of Dunedin’s Fair Trade Fortnight, Trade Aid and Forest & Bird are holding a film festival to showcase fair trade and environmental documentaries from NZ and around the world. Films will be shown at the Academy on Dundas St over seven nights, each night will have a theme (nature or resources for example) and lots have extras like live music, free fair trade coffee and chocolate and directorial intros. For more info and the movie timetable check out our events page..

And, just to whet your appetite, we have the trailer to FLOW: for the love of water, an award winning documentary from South America on the true cost of bottled water..