News
Controversial film gets its North West Premiere
Published 02.02.10
KINOFILM proudly presents the North West Premiere of Diary of a Disgraced Soldier, together with a supporting short film programme.
As a special and North West Premiere Kinofilm bring you the controversial micro feature documentary Diary of a Disgraced Soldier (a part video diary) which played to rapturous applause at it's World Premiere at the Cornwall Film Festival late last year.
This is only its second public screening (as many festivals refuse to show the film due to it's sensitive subject matter), this film is not to be missed and the Directors will be present for a
Q & A after the show with Kinofilm regular guest host John Robb, (local media commentator and lead singer in the band GOLDBLADE).
This event is a taster event for the hugely anticipated return of the Kinofilm Festival, taking place across the city from 28 April – 2 May, as a celebration of short film of all genres from across the UK and Europe.
Event Details Date: Wednesday, 10th February Venue: Greenroom, 54-56 Whitworth Street West, Manchester. M1 5WW. Box Office: 0161 615 0500 Time: 7.30 (start 8.00pm prompt). TICKETS: £4 and £3 (conc)
Completing registration on the Kinofilm website (http://www.kinofilm.org.uk/bulletin-board/register.php) will save you time on the night and helps us to know our audience.
To reserve your seat go to Event Brite http://kinofeaturepremierdiaryofadisgracedsoldier.eventbrite.com/
Brief synopsis of film
In 2004, British soldier Corporal Martin Webster ?lmed fellow British soldiers beating Iraqi youths during rioting in Al Asmara, Iraq.
It was his commentary that people heard when the ?lm was leaked to the British newspaper, News of the World. The shocking images and commentary caused outrage across the world. The soldiers were arrested, but no charges were ever brought against them. Martin Webster left the Army soon afterwards.
Plus SHORT FILM SUPPORTING PROGRAMME including:
"Prayers for Peace". Directed by Dustin Grella (USA 2009).
A narrative stop-motion animation confronting the memory of the artist's younger brother killed in the current conflict in Iraq. Drawn entirely in pastels on a slate chalkboard, the materials used to create the animation become a metaphor for the impermanence of life.
More detail
DIARY OF A DISGRACED SOLDIER Directors: Neil Cole, Chris Rowe, Richard Atkinson (completion 2009)
Diary of a Disgraced Soldier follows Martin from the day he leaves the Army as he tries to adapt to a post-military life haunted by that video.
He embarks upon his own investigation into the events of Al Amarah, using a proli?c creative energy to produce paintings, poetry and music – he also visits his old army mates to get their take on what happened in Iraq. Along the way his video diaries chart his anger, shame, and depression as he comes to terms with his Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and voices his new-found political awareness. His creative energies culminate with the ‘Voices of War’ concert and an art gallery exhibition, which he hopes will channel his energies positively and mark the start of a new beginning.
Diary of a Disgraced Soldier began as an investigation into one shameful moment, but as the story unravels, turns into a quest to see if Martin can ever leave Al Amarah behind.
WHAT THEY SAID “…the hands down winner of best film of the festival…not for the faint hearted…” Little White Lies (Independent Film Magazine)
… as a military mother, I feel the public needs to be exposed to stories about the insidious after-effects of war... I applaud the courage of the filmmakers to bring Martin's story into focus and hope they will be rewarded with many more screening opportunities to come." Donna Anton - Director, 2009 Cornwall Film Festival - Gool Fylm
LINKS
BBC South West News with video http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/cornwall/hi/people_and_places/religion_and_ethics/newsid_8356000/8356454.stm BBC News report with video http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8356695.stm BBC Entertainment report with video http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8357836.stm