On Demand

Cultures of Resistance

by Iara Lee

A global look at the diverse resistance tactics deployed by people committed to progressive change.

2011 · 1h13m · Brazil, United States

Arabic, Burmese, English, Farsi, French, Hebrew, Portuguese, Spanish, Vietnamese, Xhosa

Arabic, Burmese, English, Farsi, French, Hebrew, Portuguese, Spanish, Vietnamese, Xhosa subs

About the Film

In 2003, on the eve of the Iraq war, acclaimed filmmaker Iara Lee embarked on a journey to better understand a world increasingly embroiled in conflict and, as she saw it, heading for self-destruction. After several years, traveling over five continents, Iara encountered growing numbers of people who committed their lives to promoting change. From Iran, where graffiti and rap became tools in fighting government repression, moving on to Brazil, where musicians reach out to slum kids and transform guns into guitars, and ending in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon, where photography, music, and film have given a voice to those rarely heard, CULTURES OF RESISTANCE explores how art and creativity can be ammunition in the battle for peace and justice. DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT CULTURES OF RESISTANCE began conceptually 10 years ago. I had always been enveloped in film, music, arts and culture, and how they all intersect, but with this project I had a particular interest in how art could be used to express opposition to injustice. In 2000, I spent time in Afghan refugee camps in Peshawar/Pakistan where I interviewed women who had suffered under the gender apartheid of Taliban rule. Out of these interviews came a short film, which I hoped would raise awareness about an issue that had largely been hidden from Western audiences. I hoped my modest contribution would spur a few people to action. Years later, in 2003, during the lead up to the invasion of Iraq, I decided to travel to and live in the Middle East as a way to better understand a region that is so plagued by conflict in this supposedly peaceful age. It was during this period—in 2006—that I was living in Lebanon and experienced firsthand the Israeli military’s bombardment of that country. Having lived in a world that so infrequently makes any notice of the causes of human suffering in that region, I was deeply saddened and appalled by the reckless violence I saw. This experience forever cemented my commitment to social justice—in particular to creative resistance. During this time I did not yet have a clear vision of what would come of all these experiences. But I was constantly meeting inspiring individuals who, despite living in poverty, conflict, or extreme disadvantage, held out hope for a better world. And those people who made the greatest impact did not rest on their hope as a way of coping with the present. The bravest people used it as motivation for taking action to make our world a fairer one. From these people I have learned so much and have drawn much of my personal strength. They helped me realize that a film could hold the power not just to document the injustices that other people are suffering; they taught me that a film could also be an example of how regular people are standing up to the world’s most powerful interests everyday. That those featured in the film are mostly artists of one form or another, committed to nonviolent resistance, makes their stories all the more inspiring.

Upcoming Screenings

Stay tuned for upcoming screenings!

Festivals and Awards

2012

Cape Verdé International Film Festival, Best Feature Documentary

2012

Cape Verdé International Film Festival, Public Award

2012

Baghdad International Film Festival, Documentary Jury Prize

2012

Canada International Film Festival, Rising Star Award

2012

SURGE Film Festival, Love & Encouragement Award

2011

JamFest Indie Festival, Documentary Silver

2011

Beijing International Movie Festival , Best Long Documentary

2011

Addis International Film Festival, Audience Award

2011

Tiburon International Film Festival, Best Documentary

2011

Jaipur International Film Festival, Green Rose Award

2011

Buffalo International Film Festival, Best Documentary, 2nd Place

2011

Nevada Film Festival, Golden Reel Award Winner

2011

tlanta Underground Film Festival, Best Documentary Feature

2011

Red Rock Film Festival, Best Documentary Feature

2010

Steps International Film Festival, Best Documentary on Human Rights

In the Press

Review

Foreign Policy in Focus

Foreign Policy in Focus

Editor

Jeff Marcello

Co-editor

Nathaniel M. Cunningham

Producer

George Gund

Associate Producer

Sergei Krasikau

Sound Editor

Cory Choy

Cinematographer

David Ross Smith and Altair Paixao

Production Company

Caiprinha Productions

About the Director

Iara Lee

Iara Lee, a Brazilian of Korean descent, is an activist, filmmaker, and founder of the Caipirinha Foundation, which supports projects to secure peace with justice. Iara is currently working on a variety of initiatives, grouped under the umbrella of CULTURES OF RESISTANCE, an activist network that brings together artists and changemakers from around the world. As an activist, Iara has collaborated with numerous grassroots efforts, including the International Campaign to Ban Cluster Munitions, the Conflict Zone FilmFund, and the New York Philharmonic’s groundbreaking 2008 concert in NorthKorea. From 1984 to 1989 Iara was the producer of the Sao Paulo International Film Festival. In 1989 she moved to New York City, where she founded the mixed-media company Caipirinha Productions to explore the synergy of different art forms (such as film, music, architecture, and poetry). Under the banner of Caipirinha Productions, Iara has directed short and feature-length documentaries including SYNTHETIC PLEASURES, MODULATIONS, ARCHITETTURA and BENEATH THE BORQA. She has also organized lectures, photo exhibits, and fundraising events related to these initiatives. Iara Lee is a member of the President’s Council of The International Crisis Group(ICG) and the Council of Advisors of the National Geographic Society, as well as a trustee to the Pyongyang University of Science and Technology (PUST), North Korea’s first and only university whose faculty will be entirely composed of international professors.