FILM: "The Rose Seller" by Victor Gaviria (1998)

In this surreal adaptation of a Hans Christian Andersen fable, director Victor Gaviria uses real street urchins and a cinéma vérité style to explore the lives of young girls living on the streets of Medellín. After fleeing her shanty-town home where her mother's boyfriend hits on her and her mom beats her, Monica joins a gang of street girls and begins to sell roses in hopes of creating a better life for herself. As she confronts the brutal realities of the urban jungle and the difficult relationships formed there, Monica must arm herself with the street smarts necessary to survive. Gaviria's visceral filmmaking shapes this beautiful yet painful coming-of-age story.

(in Spanish, with subtitles)

Director Victor Gaviria will be at the screening to give an introduction and answer questions about the film.

Tuesday, October 1, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
Kroeber Hall, Room 160 (map)

FILM: "Rodrigo D: No Futuro" by Victor Gaviria (1990)

A truly powerful film about growing up on the streets in the drug capital of Medellín, Colombia. Shot in a documentary style, many of the young people who appeared in the film are now dead or in jail. In the tradition of Los Olvidados and Pixote, we meet a variety of young people who will never have to worry about growing old.

(in Spanish, with subtitles)

Wednesday, October 2, 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 1:00-3:00 p.m.
CLAS Conference Room, 2334 Bowditch Street

Victor Gaviria
"Discussions with Victor Gaviria"

Victor Gaviria, a respected film producer and director, is noted for his powerful portrayals of life on the streets of Colombia. He produced several feature films including Rodrigo D., No Future (1990), and The Rose Seller (1998). Rodrigo D. won first prize at the Latino Film Festival of New York.

Wednesday, October 2, 4:00-6:00 p.m.
CLAS Conference Room, 2334 Bowditch Street

Photos and summary of Mr. Gaviria's visit

“Civilians Under Fire in Colombia: A Discussion with Human Rights Defenders from Cali and Quibdó”

Mr. José Amin Cortes, former-director of the Human Rights Office of the Archdiocese of Cali, and Sister Elsa Maria Rueda Jaimes, coordinator of the Displaced Persons Program in Chocó, Colombia, will explore the current challenges human rights defenders face in Colombia. Photographs along with a new 30 minute documentary--"Bojayá: A Crime of War"--will be presented.

(Presentation in Spanish with English translation)

Friday, October 25, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
CLAS Conference Room, 2334 Bowditch Street

Photo and summary of the event

Luis Garzón
"A Critical Look at the Uribe Government"

Luis Garzón was the president of Colombia's largest labor federation, the CUT (Confederación Unitaria de Trabajadores), from 1996-2001. He was a presidential candidate in 2002 for the new party, Polo Democratico, and won the largest support a third-party candidate has ever received in the history of Colombia. Currently, he is a key figure in the peace process, serving as a member of the Executive Committee of the National Peace Council. A light reception will follow.

Mr. Garzón's visit has been postponed until February 2003.