Documentary

SYNOPSIS: 

THE INVISIBLE WAR is a groundbreaking investigative documentary about one of the USA's most shameful and best kept secrets: the epidemic of rape within the US military. Today, a female soldier in Iraq and Afghanistan is more likely to be raped by a fellow soldier than killed by enemy fire with the number of assaults in the last decade alone in the hundreds of thousands.

Focusing on the powerfully emotional stories of several young women, the film reveals the systemic cover up of the crimes against them and follows their struggles to rebuild their lives and fight for justice. THE INVISIBLE WAR features hard-hitting interviews with high-ranking military officials and members of Congress that reveal the perfect storm conditions that exist for rape in the military, its history of cover-up, and what can be done to bring about much needed change.

WEBSITE: http://invisiblewarmovie.com/

SYNOPSIS: 

Comprised of ex-gang members whose reputations command respect on the streets of Chicago, THE INTERRUPTERS intervene in disputes before they turn violent and that violence spreads. Academy award winning director Steve James (Hoop Dreams, Stevie) embarks on a verite journey with the lively INTERRUPTERS who are now protecting their communities from the violence they themselves once employed.

WEBSITE: http://interrupters.kartemquin.com/

^{“There may not be a better documentary this year.”}

^{* * * *}

Roger Ebert

_{CRITIC'S CHOICE}

New York Times

_{“Exceptional, Powerful, Poignant and, Surprisingly, Optimistic”}

_{* * * *}

Empire

SYNOPSIS: 

An epic 12-year journey into in the world of an Irish Traveller community, KNUCKLE takes us inside their brutal, secretive and exhilarating bare-knuckle fighting lives. Chronicling a history of violent feuding between rival families, the story focuses on two brothers as they fight for their reputations and the honour of their family name.

WEBSITE: www.knucklethemovie.com

_{"The most hotly anticipated Irish title this year"}

_{* * * *}

The Irish Times

_{"CRITIC'S CHOICE"}

The Financial Times

_{"A winner..makes for a fascinating peek into an illegal world where the fists really are furious"}

_{* * * *}

The Sun

_{"Chock full of larger-than-life characters, it's an enthralling insight into a raw, bloodied world"}

_{* * * *}

Empire

SYNOPSIS: 

As Caster Semenya achieved her dream of winning the 800m World Championship in 2009, rumours of a failed gender test spread.  A vicious and voyeuristic media storm erupted and Caster's triumph was turned into public humiliation. With exclusive access, this film follows the shy teenager from a remote South African village as she struggles to come to terms with what has happened and fights to return to competition.

A heart-rending and uplifting story of a young woman who overcame incredible odds to become the world's best, only to find that her biggest challenge still lay ahead.

SYNOPSIS: 

Fearless, feisty and resolute, the "Rough Aunties" are a remarkable group of women unwavering in their stand to protect and care for the abused, neglected and forgotten children of Durban, South Africa. This newest documentary by internationally acclaimed director Kim Longinotto (SISTERS IN LAW, DIVORCE IRANIAN STYLE) follows the outspoken, multiracial cadre of Thuli, Mildred, Sdudla, Eureka and Jackie, as they wage a daily battle against systemic apathy, corruption and greed to help the most vulnerable and disenfranchised of their communities. Neither politics, nor social or racial divisions stand a chance against the united force of the women. Once again Longinotto has managed to bring us an intimate portrait of change from Africa, this time from post-apartheid South Africa, a nation being transformed with hope and energy into a new democracy.

Rough Aunties went on to win numerous awards around the world including the Golden Horn award at the Cracow film festival, the Crystal Heart award at Heartland Film Festival, best feature at the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival and the World Cinema Jury Prize at Sundance 2009.

^{_{"Wrenching and inspirational"}}

The Daily Telegraph

^{_{"The film left me in bits, but in a good way"}}

Jason Solomons, The Observer

SYNOPSIS: 

Filmed over four years, Vanessa and Maurice, an African American couple with five kids, leave Alaska for Las Vegas to find their fortunes as the economic downturn looms.

^{_{“A gripping family saga enacted under the shadow of Vegas’ bright lights.”}}

Edinburgh International Film Festival

SYNOPSIS: 

The story of seven-year-old Zara whose parents have decided it’s time for her to become a strict Muslim. With the support of the MEDIA programme of the European Union the story of Zara and Aysha who are attending a Muslim faith school for the first time has a feature length outing. Filmed over one year, the film intimately captures the girls’ lives as they grow up and make choices about their identity and beliefs.

SYNOPSIS: 

Orissa, India - where tribal people fight with their bows and arrows against multinational mining moguls from London. The filmmaker, aided by two hopeless local guides, searches for answers amongst conflicting allegations, as the truth becomes more and more elusive. A humorous film about a serious subject.

^{_{"Beautiful, one-man film…Geology at its grubbiest"}}

Phil Hogan, The Observer

* * * *

Time Out

SYNOPSIS: 

From directors Senain Kheshgi and Geeta V. Patel and Academy Award® winning Ross Kauffman, comes PROJECT KASHMIR––a feature documentary in which the directors, two American friends from opposite sides of the divide, investigate the war in Kashmir and find their friendship tested over deeply rooted religious biases they never had to face in the U.S. PROJECT KASHMIR explores war between countries and war within oneself by delving into the fraught lives of young people caught in the social/political conflict of one of the most beautiful, and most deadly, places on earth––Kashmir.

^{_{"Fascinating and illuminating...a much-anticipated film."}}

2008 Human Rights Watch International Film Festival

SYNOPSIS: 

Multi-award winning feature WE ARE TOGETHER (Thina Simunye) tells the moving and inspiring story of 12 year old Slindile and her remarkable friends at the Agape orphanage in South Africa. Filmed over three years, with unforgettable kids, soaring music and a plot full of surprises, WE ARE TOGETHER arrives as a stirring and uplifting theatrical documentary.

WE ARE TOGETHER went on to win a host of international awards including the TRIBECA Audience award, TRIBECA Special jury prize, EDINBURGH Audience Award, IDFA Audience Award, IDFA First Appearance Award, SHEFFIELD GRIERSON Award, IDA music award, MEIFF Audience Award, AMNESTY Audience Award, AMNESTY Jury Prize, ONE WORLD jury Prize.

WEBSITE: www.wearetogether.org

^{_{"Cinema at its most inspirational."}}

David Edwards, Daily Mirror

_{^{"Genuinely heart-warming."}}

Matthew Leyland, Total Film

^{_{"A life-affirming testament to the power of music."}}

Wendy Ide, The Times

^{_{"An incredible piece of work."}}

Bono

RISE FILMS IS DONATING 100% OF PRODUCERS PROFITS FROM THIS FILM TO THEwww.risefoundation.org TO HELP PROVIDE AN EDUCATION FOR ORPHANS & CHILDREN AFFECTED BY AIDS IN SOUTH AFRICA.