Highlighting Social Issues and Art Through Films
The Patois New Orleans Human Rights Film Festival has announced the films for this year's film festival, which will take place from March 6-10 at The Broad Theater and The Marigny Opera House.
This year's lineup will focus on a variety of issues including Palestinian liberation, organizing Black feminist groups in the South, disability justice and sexuality, reproductive freedom, and other important human rights issues happening today. Patois will also be hosting events in between some of the screenings. Check out the full list of screenings below to see which films you're interested in tuning into.
March 6
Get in Loser, We're Freeing Palestine: Making the Palestine Solidarity Movement Irresistible
With the tragedies going on right now in Gaza, and for the past five months, this film highlights the Palestinian community here in New Orleans. Four local leaders, Adan Murad, Mohammad Alkurd (Mo Munchies), Allen Esmail, and Thafer Danial, share how they are fighting for Palestinian liberation. The screening will be at 6:30 p.m.
March 7
Secret Opening Night Film (Amazon Doesn't Want You to See)
This documentary shows how the Amazon Labor Union's grassroots organization came together with thousands of workers to form a union at Amazon. Originally premiering at the Sundance Film Festival in 2024, this film is acclaimed to be a victory for labor workers and unions since the 1930s. The screening will take place at The Broad Theater at 6:30 p.m. A post-screening discussion will take place.
Rebel Dykes
A documentary telling the story of a group of lesbians in the 1980s, Rebel Dykes showcases the intersection between punk and feminism during a riotous time in London. The film highlights how this group went on to become artists, performers, activists, and musicians. This will be screening at The Broad Theater at 9:15 p.m.
March 8
No Cop Academy
Powerful groups of Chicago's Black youth and youth of color came together from 2017-2019 to push back against the $95 million dollar cop academy that was being constructed in Chicago. This film highlights the #NoCopAcademy campaign through the lives of those who were a part of this movement. The screening will take place at The Broad Theater at 7 p.m. and will also have a post-screening discussion.
Alam
Tamer and his friends have an ordinary high school life living in a Palestinian town. When Tamer stumbles into Maysaa' after she joins his class, he wants to do anything to please her, even agreeing to join flag operations for Israel's Independence Day. This is a day especially important for Palestinians, as it is a day of mourning. This screening will take place at The Broad Theater at 9 p.m.
Zoo
Directed by Tariq Rimawi, this short 8-minute film tells the story of a new friendship between two unlikely companions: a boy, Sami, and a tiger, Laziz. Stumbling into Laziz at the zoo while searching for his lost ball, Sami and Laziz become friends and go on a quest. This screening will take place at The Broad Theater at 9 p.m.
March 9
Fannie Lou Hamer's America
A documentary told through public speeches, interviews, and song, highlights the life of Fannie Lou Hamer, a Mississippi sharecropper who turned into a human rights activist. Directed by Joy Elaine Davenport, this 59-minute film will be screening at 2 p.m. at The Broad Theater.
Doubles
A street vendor from Trinidad, Dhani, and his mother, Sumintra, sell traditional Trinidadian street food called doubles. Dhani feels like he doesn't belong. After unfortunate circumstances that Dhani and Sumintra faced, Dhani takes on a journey to Toronto. He has to choose if he wants to save his alienated father from dying. The film will be screened at 4:30 p.m. at The Broad Theater.
Buzz
Directed by Mohamed Fawi, Buzz, a 20-minute film, tells the story about a woman coming to the end of her life.
Kanaval: A People's History of Haiti in Six Chapters
Set in the present but telling the story of Haiti's past, this award-winning feature documentary shows Carnival performers before and during the Jacmel Mardi Gras. There is footage from interviews, testimonies, and observations from archives to showcase Haiti's history and culture. The screening will take place at The Broad Theater at 7 p.m.
Acsexybility
This documentary is aimed to deconstruct the stereotype surrounding people with disabilities and sexuality. It is told through people and their own personal stories. This will be screened at The Broad Theater at 9 p.m.
March 10
With A Vengeance: The Fight for Reproductive Freedom
Taking a closer look at the history of reproductive freedom since the 1960s, this film highlights current problems of reproductive freedom and how they resemble what was going on in the 1960s. This will be screened at The Broad Theater at 3:30 p.m.
In Accordance With
This 7-minute film shows the invasive and emotionally abusive measures it takes to get an abortion at a border checkpoint. Although the world in this film is fictional, In Accordance With explores how close to reality these situations are. The screening will be at 3:30 p.m. at The Broad Theater.
Notes on Displacement
Directed by Khaled Jarrar, this 75-minute film tells the story of a family going on a tiring journey across Europe and becoming refugees in a new area.
Tomorrow's Freedom
Telling the story of one of Palestine's most famous political prisoners, Marwan Barghouthi, Tomorrow's Freedom highlights the events that took place for the Barghouthi family through interviews and archives. There are clips from Palestinians and Israelis. This was directed by Sophia and Georgia Scott. The screening will take place at 7 p.m. at The Broad Theater.
Mar Mama
This film, directed by Madji El Omari, tells the story of a father trying to distract his daughter from the tragic, but realistic events, that happen during occupation. This will be held at The Broad Theater at 7 p.m.
Tickets for the PATOIS Film Fest
Buy tickets for $50 for the whole festival, or buy individual tickets for $12. If you are a PATOIS member, the tickets are $40 for the festival and $8 for an individual ticket.
