Tibet: Land of the Brave

This feature-length documentary directed by Geneviève Brault takes us far into the snow-clad mountains of Tibet where nomads still survive by herding yaks that provide food and most of their necessities.

Tibet: Land of the Brave follows a young Canadian Tibetan couple back to the traditional community of the husband Gyamtso for the birth of their second child.

The documentary reveals the dangers facing an ancient lifestyle as China continues its radical shift to a market economy.

View an excerpt:

Join the Facebook page page of Tibet: Land of the Brave +++++
+++++

Productions Multi-Monde in the Philippines

PMM founders Malcolm Guy and Marie Boti were featured in several events that took place in the Philippines between June 30-July 10 2011, as were some recent productions.

Conversations with Malcolm Guy and Marie Boti was an evening of exchange with progressive and alternative media practitioners, at the University of the Philippines Diliman campus. Journalists, photographers, filmmakers, artists and writers came out to listen and share their own experiences as activists and media practitioners. It was a reunion of old friends and new. A popular rap trio also performed.

This was a prelude to the series of exciting and important progresssive cultural events: the First Agitprop International Film Festival on July 2-4, and the international cultural workers’ conference People’s Art: Shaping the Society of the Future on July 4-6.

The Agit Prop Film featured some 30 films including award winning entries such as Cultures of Resistance (U.S.), Mirage of El Dorado (Canada), The Yes Men Fix the World (U.S.), and DUKOT/Disappeared (Philippines). Malcolm Guy gave the opening speech at the festival, and introduced determiNATION songs, a PMM production directed by Paul Rickard and Michelle Smith. Michelle’s message to the audience was read by Malcolm.

Mirages of El Dorado, a recent PMM production by Martin Frigon, was featured to an enthusiastic audience. A second screening of the film, organized on the UP campus, was attended by 900 film and communications students and teachers. http://networkedblogs.com/k5AEn

Malcolm Guy also gave the opening speech at the conference of progressive cultural workers People’s Art : Shaping the Society of the Future. Malcolm was one of the initiators and organizers of the event that drew writers, poets, artists from four continents, including a good delegation from Canada.

Marie Boti, who is a women’s rights activist, attended the First General Assembly of the International Women’s Alliance, where she was elected a member of the Executive Committee. Malcolm Guy was re-elected Secretary General of the International League of Peoples’ Struggles - which held its 4th General Assembly in Manila, bringing together 430 participants from 32 countries, the largest turnout for an ILPS general assembly yet. These are held every three years.

For Boti and Guy all of these events were occasions to reconnect with individuals and the people’s organizations they have kept long-lasting relationships with since they first made their first films in the country in the 1980’s.

+++++
+++++

determiNATION songs

In determiNATION songs three native artists use voice, rhythms, samples and guitar riffs to cut through big ‘P’ politics to reveal a vibrant native music scene while exposing the realities and struggles in their communities. As resistance grows across Indian country, this film about music, art and politics pulls aboriginal stories from the back pages and puts them squarely at the front of the stage.

Great news!! Our talented and dedicated friends CerAmony won the 2011 Juno Aboriginal Album of the Year!! Well-deserved 4 a fantastic album! Juno Awards 2011

Get your copy of the film: determiNATION songs

Bilingual trailer for determiNATION songs:

Join the Facebook page of determiNATION songs +++++
+++++

Here we Remain

Mexican migrant workers: the story of the families that remain behind

Following the rhythm of the corn mill, the work in the fields, the preparation of meals and above all the passage of time, Here we remain explores the fabric of life in San Isidro Aloapam through the lives of five locals coping for years with the absence of loved ones.

In this small community situated in Oaxaca State, Mexico, the land, though fertile, is less and less cultivated. Faced with stiff American competition that forces down the price of corn in Mexico, the peasants are paradoxically obliged to go North to work the land of large farmers in the United States. As a result, most families from San Isidro Aloapam resort to migration in order to meet their needs.

Rosenda, Modesta, Octavio, Elisabet and Merenciana allow us into the intimate corners of their lives. While some consider migration to be an alternative to poverty, others perceive it as a threat to the survival of the community and question the need to leave. Here we remain is the testimony of those who stay to those who have left, a film about longing for loved ones and hope for a better life.

A film by Iphigénie Marcoux-Fortier and Karine Van Ameringen in collaboration with Aude Maltais-Landry. Produced by Marlene Edoyan for Productions Multi-Monde in collaboration with Les glaneuses.

For more info : http://www.pmm.qc.ca/english/spip.php?article58

Join the Facebook page of Here we remain +++++
+++++

Mirage of El Dorado (El Dorado, la Sed de Oro)

This prize-winning feature-length documentary by Martin Frigon takes us high into the Andes of northern Chile where Canadian-owned Barrick Gold, the biggest gold producer in the world, is set to move glaciers if necessary to get at the mineral riches beneath.

The area borders on the Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on earth, and many people in the Huasca Valley and beyond fear for their source of water and the glaciers that help supply it. The struggle around Pascua Lama is a David and Goliath confrontation with global consequences in an isolated region far from public scrutiny.

Please check out the trailer below and the Mirage web site for more information.

Grand Prize 2009 (Premio Festival) Festival Internacional de Cine Digital de Vina del Mar (International Festival of Digital Cinema of Vina del Mar)

Grand Prize 2008 26th Festival International du Film d’Environnement (International Festival of Films on the Environment)

*** Order a DVD of Mirage of El Dorado ***

Mirage of El Dorado - Download press kit and stills

 Director, scriptwriter: Martin Frigon
 Producer: Lucie Pageau
 DOP & collaboration in the direction: Marcelo Riveros
 Sound: Iphigénie Marcoux-Fortier
 Editor: Guillermo López Pérez
Visit the web site of Mirage of El Dorado

Hope you enjoy these clips from some of our films. Hover over the image for a short preview. Like what you see... more information here.

Click here for special collection of our films on Migration, Migrant Workers and Refugees

Films with a point of view !