Synthetic Pleasures: Interviews - Cultures of Resistance Films

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Synthetic Pleasures: Interviews

What sites are causing a buzz among the in crowd? By Nick Wingfield
John Kelsey, Consulting writer for SP interviews director iara lee
iara lee interviewed through the Virtual Film Fest, while at Sundance ’96
iara lee interviewed by Giannis Papaioannou for OXY Mag (Greece)
iara lee interviewed by J.D. Peterson For Ruse Magazine
Online interview with Timothy Leary

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Caution: This video (full version on YouTube) from

Caution: This video (full version on YouTube) from our friends at Gnaoua Culture is known to induce powerful trance-like states! The Gnaoua people are an indigenous African group in Morocco. This video shows the performance of the late Maalem Said Oughassal at the Gnawa Festival in the Netherlands in 2021, where he offers a contemporary take on the Gnaoua music tradition. Gnaoua Culture is soon organizing Gnaoua Lila, a night-long ritual, dedicated to the memory of Maalem Said Oughassal and his contributions to the beats and melodies of Gnaoua music.

Follow Gnaoua Culture on Facebook to keep updated about this event and more: @gnaouaculture
Gnaoua Culture is the latest recipient of our Cultures of Resistance Award! They are dedicated to the celebration and documentation of Gnaoua culture and foster collaborations and exchanges among Gnaoua artists.

Learn more about our award here:
https://culturesofresistancefilms.com/gnaoua-culture/

Full Video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h37tANXHK0g

#gnaoua #morocco #gnaouamusic #gnaouaculture #gnaouafestival #indigenouspeople #indigenousculture #indigenousart #indigenouspride #indigenouspride #indigenousknowledge #trancelikestate #maalemsaïdoughssal #creativeactivism #artivism

Apartheid Israel attacked Jenin Camp/Palestine whi

Apartheid Israel attacked Jenin Camp/Palestine while our friends at FREEDOM THEATER had a performance going at the FEMINIST FEST (where they were going to premiere our new film). Murderous entity Israel killed 4 people, many more injured… Immoral horror news, that happens too often! 😡😢

#apartheid #apartheidisrael #freepalestine #palestine #palestinewillbefree #occupation #oppression #crimesagainsthumanity #palestineunderattack #jenincamp #freedomtheatre #palestinianlivesmatter

VENEZUELA–The broom has become the symbol of Uni

VENEZUELA–The broom has become the symbol of Uniendo Voluntades, an autonomous movement driven by the youth and women of San Blas, Venezuela. What started as a mission to sweep their neighborhood clean has evolved into transforming abandoned lots into vibrant public spaces.

Today, Uniendo Voluntades is painting murals, hosting soup kitchens, and creating spaces for music and art! To support their impactful work, they've curated a collection of Venezuelan broom-inspired art — including paintings, sculptures, and textiles. All pieces will be auctioned to help establish the San Blas Social Action Center, a multi-purpose space where they can hold events and workshops. We are proud to announce that Uniendo Voluntades is the latest recipient of our Cultures of Resistance Award!

Support Uniendo Voluntades by joining the online auction here:
https://uniendovoluntades.org/tienda/

Follow them at:
@uniendovoluntades19

Read more about our award at:
https://culturesofresistancefilms.com/uniendo-voluntades/

#venezuela #broom #broomchallenge #uniendovoluntades #movement #sanblas #sweep #clean #community #music #artivism #multipurposespace #creativeactivism

Recent military actions this past July in Palestin

Recent military actions this past July in Palestine left the Freedom Theatre and surrounding property in the West Bank with severe damage. Despite this and with the generosity from an international community the Freedom Theatre has continued to operate! Their work is a vital cultural hub in the heart of the Jenin Refugee camp in occupied Palestine. For years, Freedom Theatre has been a beacon of cultural preservation, artistic growth, and community unity. This September, they are launching the second Palestinian Feminist Theatre Festival titled "The Invasion Through Women's Eyes." From September 16 to September 21, 2023 the Palestinian Feminist Theatre Festival will showcase local and international performances, workshops, and digital provocations. This event will be an exciting opportunity to hear Palestinian women's perspectives and witness their creative work!

Follow Freedom Theatre at:
@thefreedomtheatre

Read more about the support of the Freedom Theatre by our sister organization, the Cultures of Resistance Network, here:
https://culturesofresistance.org/groups-we-support/freedom-theatre/

📸 @thefreedomtheatre

#freedomtheatre #freepalestine #palestine #westbank #palestinewillbefree #apartheid #existanceisresistance #freedom #humanrights #artivism #creativeactivism #feminist #festival #palestinianwomen #womensrights #occupation #crimesagainsthumanity

Cycling champion Alaa al Dali's leg was shot to pi

Cycling champion Alaa al Dali's leg was shot to pieces by an Israeli sniper in 2018. Now he's making a comeback as a para-cyclist. Gaza Sunbirds is a pro-paracycling project inspired and run by Alaa. The organization's mission is to empower Gazan athletes by creating opportunities for personal and performance growth. As the latest recipient of our Cultures of Resistance Awards, Gaza Sunbirds will receive aid to help cover the basic training costs for Alaa and a number of other para-cyclists.

Learn more about Gaza Sunbirds at:
@gazasunbirds

Find out more about the award at:
https://culturesofresistancefilms.com/creative-activism-awards/gaza-sunbirds/

#palestine #freepalestine #gaza #gazastrip #occupation #siege #apartheid #palestinianlivesmatter #sports #bike #cycling #disabled #inspiration #motivation #creativeactivism #artivism #paracycling

Filmmaker Tobi Akinde is the newest recipient of o

Filmmaker Tobi Akinde is the newest recipient of our Cultures of Resistance Award! His latest short film "Soja go Soja Come" shows residents of Ibadan, Nigeria, as they navigated the highs and lows of the turbulent economies of the global pandemic in 2020. The title "Soja go, Soja Come" is an abridged version of the Nigerian saying, "soldier go, soldier come, but the barracks remains." The phrase speaks to the difficulty of maintaining an unwavering will to survive while living through recurring crises. The film was commissioned by the French Embassy in Abuja as a visual representation of the fieldwork surveys conducted by a team of social scientists who investigated the economic impact of COVID-19 on everyday workers.

Let's celebrate Tobi Akinde's remarkable achievement!

Follow Tobi and his work at:
@tobi__akinde

Learn more about our award at:
https://culturesofresistancefilms.com/tobi-akinde/

#ibadan #nigeria #sojagosojacome #pandemic #covid19 #corona #short #film #artivism #creativeactivism #socialscience #impact #humanitariancrisis #socialjustice #socialart #economicimpact #abuja #africanfilm #blackexcellence

Sudan is in the middle of a devastating humanitari

Sudan is in the middle of a devastating humanitarian crisis. The ongoing power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary RSF has led to a significant escalation of violence since early July 2023. This has led to food shortages, lack of medical supplies, and mass displacement of people.

Solidarity is needed for civilians trapped in the crossfire in Sudan! Our friends at Choose Love are working with their partners on the ground to evacuate those affected by the violence. But they need our support. Right now, it costs around $200 to evacuate just one person from Sudan. However, as demand rises and the situation on the ground deteriorates, prices are increasing every day. They have raised $92,000 and are close to their goal of $96,000!

Please donate now to help the people of Sudan:
https://donate.chooselove.org/campaigns/sudan-crisis/

Follow the work of Choose Love at:
@chooselove

Learn more about the support of our sister organization, the Cultures of Resistance Network, at:
https://culturesofresistance.org/groups-we-support/choose-love/

📸 @chooselove

#sudan #humanitariancrisis #sudanese #sudanuprising #sudanrevolts #sudanprotests #blueforsudan #armedforces #violence #humanrightsviolations #chooselove #fundraising #displaced

Two years ago, the Taliban swept into power in Afg

Two years ago, the Taliban swept into power in Afghanistan, putting women’s rights in jeopardy. As many feared would happen, restrictions on girls’ education have grown more severe in recent months, with access beyond the 6th grade severely limited and, in some instances, completely denied. In the midst of this very difficult situation, our friends at LEARN Afghan have persevered. LEARN continues to educate students, with 132 graduates (the majority of them girls) completing their computing and freelancing classes last year. Even as many others have shut down, LEARN remains resolute in its commitment to empower Afghan girls and has increased access for online classes for more young people.

A donation to LEARN can help expand their initiatives for Afghan girls who are physically and systemically banned from getting an education. Donate here:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/learn-afg-donations

Follow LEARN at:
@learn.afg

Learn more about the support from our sister organization, the Cultures of Resistance Network, here:
https://culturesofresistance.org/groups-we-support/learn-afghan/

📸 1&2 @katiegodowski_photo
and the rest @learn.afg

#afghanistan #afghanwomen #letherlearn #womensrights #humanrights #humanrightsviolations #womenseducation #accesstojustice #accesstoeducation #educationishumanright #educatedwomen #taliban #afghanistanmypassion

It is heroic to persevere with a festival about hu

It is heroic to persevere with a festival about human rights in a world where so many are apathetic. For the 19th time, The Festival Internacional de Cine de los Derechos Humanos (Festival de Sucre in Bolivia) takes place and they will be screening our film ‘Wantoks: dance of resilience in Melanesia’ on August 30th, 4 pm at MUSEF - Museo Nacional de Etnografía y Folklore. ✊🏿✊🏻✊🏾 You can also watch it online on our Cultures of Resistance YouTube channel
Swipe for pics 👉

#sucre #bolivia #documentary #film #screening #wantoks #culturesofresistance #festival #humanrights #derechoshumanos #impunidad #musef #eventos #perseverancia

Take a moment to appreciate these haunting paintin

Take a moment to appreciate these haunting paintings by Afghan artist Ali Rahimi, the latest recipient of our Cultures of Resistance Award!
Rahimi’s artwork narrates a story of loneliness, immigration, and the struggle for survival. As he explains, “There is a lot of empty space in my paintings. That rules silence. Silence that narrates loneliness. Forced migration. On the blacks of the oceans. Migrating in silence the size of the oceans.”

Check out more of his powerful work at:
@ali_rahimi_painter

Learn more about our award at:
https://culturesofresistancefilms.com/ali-rahimi/

#afghan #afghanistan #alirahimi #painter #paintings #artivism #creativeactivism #loneliness #immigration #survival #struggle #emptyspace #silence #forced #migration #afghanistanart #afghanart

Check out these innovative and sustainable homes f

Check out these innovative and sustainable homes for Sahrawi refugees in Algeria. They were designed by Tateh Lehbib, our latest recipient of the Cultures of Resistance Award! Lehbib is an engineer and environmental activist born in the Saharawi refugee camps. Recently, he launched a project called SANDSHIP that aims to improve the design and architecture of the refugee camps.

These homes were created specifically for the inhospitable ecosystem of the Algerian hamada, known as the "desert of all deserts." The walls of the homes are constructed using sand-filled plastic bottles, cement, and a mixture of earth and straw, offering excellent thermal insulation. The circular shape of the house prevents dune formation during sandstorms and, when combined with a white-painted exterior, reduces solar heat impact by up to 90%. Additionally, a double roof design with ventilation space and strategically placed windows enhances airflow, resulting in temperatures 5°C lower than neighboring houses in the camps.

You can see more of Tateh’s work at:
https://www.facebook.com/lehbib.tatah/

Learn more about our award at:
https://culturesofresistancefilms.com/tateh-lehbib/

#sandship #innovation #design #architecture #sustainability #sustainablehome #saharawi #refugees #creativeactivism #freewesternsahara #saharalibre #algeria #tatehlehbib #engineering #smartidea #recycling #designarchitecture #homedesign

Traditional throat singing is a practice of extrao

Traditional throat singing is a practice of extraordinary vocal technique, in which a single performer simultaneously produces separate vocal lines that can be clearly distinguished by the audience. Aryuna Sayanovna Nimaeva has made herself well-known as a performing throat singer and as a multi-instrumentalist and is a recipient of our Cultures of Resistance Award! She was born in the Republic of Buryatia, Russia and has pursued her solo career in addition to teaching her craft at children's art schools.

Follow her on Instagram here to learn more about her work.
You can listen to her music and view her live performances on YouTube.

Instagram:
@aryun_goa

Youtube:
https://www.youtube.com/@Aryun-goa/videos

#traditional #throatsinging #vocal #buryatia #buryatia #buryatiabeauty #traditionalinstrument #culturalheritage #culturalpreservation #artivism #traditionalmusic #throatsinger

Lakhon Komnit, an organization based in Battambang

Lakhon Komnit, an organization based in Battambang, Cambodia strives to preserve and develop a traditional form of Cambodian theater, known as Lakhon Niyeay. In a recent collaboration, Lakhon Komnit joined forces with the Partners for Rural Development and the University of Melbourne for the production of the play "Ups & Downs." Through the fusion of performing arts, personal stories, and agricultural knowledge, the play shed light on the challenges faced by cassava farmers.

Lakhon Komnit’s dedication to traditional arts and real-world issues is why they are the latest recipient of the Cultures of Resistance Award!

Follow their work at:
@lakhonkomnit

Read more about our award at:
https://culturesofresistancefilms.com/lakhon-komnit/

#traditional #theatre #cambodia #cambodian #culture #culturalpreservation #culturalheritage #agricultural #farming #cassava #farmers #farmerslife #artivism #artthatspeaks #creative #activism #battambang

These protest photos by World Without War in South

These protest photos by World Without War in South Korea span over a decade of activism! World Without War is a group of nonviolent activists, artists, and individuals who challenge the international arms trade and military-based industry. Displayed here is a range of disruptions and artistic actions, including street theater, fake funerals, playing instruments on top of tanks, fax spamming, and squatting. The group’s goal is to encourage citizens to reconsider their support for the arms industry and pave the way for peace. We are pleased to announce that World Without War is the latest recipient of our Cultures of Resistance Award!

Follow their work at:
@withoutwar

Read more about our award at:
https://culturesofresistancefilms.com/without-war/

#seoul #southkorea #withoutwar #nowar #stopwar #activism #artivism #creativeactivism #nonviolent #arms #trade #military #armsindustry #humanrights #environmentaljustice #warcrimes

Today, August 9th, is the International Day of the

Today, August 9th, is the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples! On this occasion, we honor the estimated 476 million Indigenous individuals residing in some 90 countries throughout the world. Though they comprise less than 5% of the global population, Indigenous peoples are the custodians of a rich heritage and preserve distinct social, cultural, economic, and political characteristics that set them apart from dominant societies.

On this day, join us in supporting the Indigenous federation CONAIE (Confederación de Nacionalidades Indígenas del Ecuador) as they spearhead a crucial campaign to protect their land. Currently, the fate of the Yasuni rainforest, located in the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon, hangs in the balance as Ecuadorians prepare to cast their votes to either extract or leave untouched the vast oil reserves within the Yasuni. If approved, this referendum would prevent the establishment of new oil wells and safeguard the incredible biodiversity and cultural heritage that thrive in the rainforest.

To stand in solidarity with CONAIE and show our support for the protection of the Yasuni rainforest, check out and share this powerful video they’ve created, highlighting the importance of this cause!

Learn more about CONAIE at:
https://culturesofresistance.org/groups-we-support/conaie/

If you’re interested in getting more involved in other parts of the world, check out some of the great organizations working on Indigenous rights that are supported by our sister foundation, the Cultures of Resistance Network:

Pariri Indigenous Association
https://culturesofresistance.org/groups-we-support/pariri/

Rainforest Action Network
https://culturesofresistance.org/groups-we-support/ran/

@amazonwatch
https://culturesofresistance.org/groups-we-support/amazon-watch/

@amazonconservationteam
https://culturesofresistance.org/groups-we-support/amazon-conservation-team

🎥 @conaie

#internationaldayofindigenouspeople #indigenous #indigenouspeople #indigenouswomen #indigenouspride #indigenousrights #indigenousknowledge #indigenousland #culturalpreservation #culturalheritage #SiAlaVida #yasuni #eleccionesanticipadas2023ec #worldindigenouspeoplesday

We love sustainable farming–and this family farm

We love sustainable farming–and this family farm in Cuba is modeling the way! Since its founding in 1993, Finca del Medio in the Taguasco municipality of Cuba, has nurtured a harmonious relationship with nature. From the abundance of their own farm, they craft fruit liqueurs, produce dry fruits, bake bread, and even create vinegar and soap using coconut oil. Through self-sufficiency and innovation, they celebrate the richness of the land!

They also harness the power of the sun with efficient stoves and solar cooking, implement gravity irrigation systems, utilize hydraulic rams and windmills, and construct biodigesters and bioclimatic houses.

Follow their work at:
@fincadelmediocuba

Our sister organization, the Cultures of Resistance Network, is proud to support Finca del Medio! Read more at:
https://culturesofresistance.org/groups-we-support/finca-del-medio/

📸 @fincadelmediocuba

#farm #farmlife #cuba #sustainability #sustainableliving #sustainablefarming #familyfarm #growyourownfood #solarcooking #nature #hydraulicram #eatlocal #buylocal #bioclimatic

Lebanon currently hosts approximately 1.5 million

Lebanon currently hosts approximately 1.5 million Syrian refugees, the highest number of refugees per capita in the world. Many of the refugees are living in remote and isolated areas and have little or no access to affordable healthcare. Endless Medical Advantage is the only Syrian-led mobile health clinic in Lebanon. The group focuses on the western and central areas of the Bekaa Valley, where an estimated 350,000-400,000 Syrian refugees reside. Endless Medical Advantage is on the ground, providing crucial medical assistance and support.

Medical professionals from many countries are volunteering with EMA, and you can too! A recent volunteer medical student shared this about his experience:

"I spent one of the most moving and enriching months of my life in Bar Elias with EMA. Having been studying Levantine Arabic for the last few years and as a junior doctor with a huge interest in humanitarian medicine… I was captivated by EMA's story and mission."

Check out their get involved page to learn about their volunteering opportunities and other ways to support EMA at: https://www.endlessmedicaladvantage.org/get-involved

Our sister organization, the Cultures of Resistance Network, is proud to support Endless Medical Advantage. Read more at:
https://culturesofresistance.org/groups-we-support/endless-medical-advantage/

📸 @emalebanon

#lebanon #medicalaid #syrianrefugees #endlessmedicaladvantage #healthcare #accesstohealthcare #healthclinic #doctors #volunteer #mobilehealthcare #creativeactivism #bekaavalley #medicalassistance

Did you know that the fashion industry generates a

Did you know that the fashion industry generates a staggering 13 million tons of fabric waste every year? Shockingly, around 64% of the world's garment production ends up discarded in landfills, where it takes up to 200 years to decompose. Additionally, approximately 15% of fabric is wasted during production, leaving behind unused scraps on cutting room floors.

The Bishkek School of Contemporary Art is making a significant impact in Kyrgyzstan by taking action against textile waste. Their current project involves conducting a comprehensive survey to assess the volume of textile waste produced by workshops in Kyrgyzstan. This valuable data will provide insights into the scale of the issue, empowering the group to advocate more effectively for the implementation of environmental standards. The Bishkek School of Contemporary Art is the latest recipient of our Cultures of Resistance Award!

Learn more about their work at:
https://www.instagram.com/bishkek_art_school/

Read more about our award at:
https://culturesofresistancefilms.com/bishkek-school-of-contemporary-art/

📸 @bishkek_art_school

#fashion #fashionindustry #trash #fashiontrash #waste #fabricwaste #fashionwaste #garmentproduction #landfill #environment #environmentalawareness #environmentalsustainability #sustainablefashion #bishkek #bishkekartschool #artschool #contemporaryart #artivism #fromtrashtotreasure #creativeactivism #textilewaste #kyrgyzstan

Meet Malcolm Alexander. Wrongfully convicted and i

Meet Malcolm Alexander. Wrongfully convicted and imprisoned for 38 years, he was finally exonerated in 2018. Malcolm was freed largely due to the efforts of the The Innocence Project — an organization that works to free the innocent, prevent wrongful convictions, and advocate for fair and compassionate systems of justice. To date, they have contributed to the liberation and exoneration of more than 240 individuals, who collectively endured more than 3,600 years behind bars.

However, for many the journey does not end with exoneration. Injustice lingers even after release. Malcolm, five years post-exoneration, still awaits compensation from the state of Louisiana for the decades he lost in prison.

Show your support for the wrongfully convicted by donating to the Innocence Project’s Exoneree Fund today! This fund supports exonerees like Malcolm with healthcare and housing once they return home. You can contribute at:
https://innocenceproject.org/exoneree-fund/

Our sister organization, the Cultures of Resistance Network, has supported the Innocence Project for more than a decade! Read more at:
https://culturesofresistance.org/groups-we-support/innocence-project/

📸 @innocenceproject

#innocent #malcolmalexander #wrongfulconviction #wrongfullyaccused #justice #criminaljusticereform #blacklivesmatter #wrongfullyconvicted #endprosecutorialmisconduct #wrongfulimprisonment #prisonreform #endmassincarceration #exonerated5 #exonerationlaw

In the coming weeks, Japan is planning to release

In the coming weeks, Japan is planning to release treated radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the ocean. This decision has ignited fierce protests both within Japan and beyond, with people concerned about the potential impact on people's health and the surrounding environment.

Our friends at the Eco-Horizon Institute (EHI) in South Korea are working to raise public awareness about the impact that the nuclear plant’s contaminated wastewater could have on the fragile ecosystems of South Korea’s tidal flats. The Institute has attempted to secure UNESCO World Heritage Site recognition for these tidal flats, recognizing them as sanctuaries of tremendous ecological value. The flats nurture diverse endangered species and play a crucial role in the East Asian-Australasian Flyway — one of the world’s largest routes for migratory birds.

We are proud to announce that EHI is the latest recipient of our Cultures of Resistance Award!

Follow EHI’s work at:
@ecoin06

Learn more about our award at:
https://culturesofresistancefilms.com/eco-horizon-institute/

📸 생태지평 연구소

#southkorea #fukushimawater #fukushimawastewater #environment #environmentaljustice #environmentalcrisis #radioactive #radioactivewaste #nuclearpowerplant #japan #japanfukushimawater #climatecrisis #ecosystems #ecological #endangeredspecies #unescoworldheritagesites #tidalflats #cleanwater #cleanoceans #environmentalhealth #fukushimadaiichi

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1 day ago

We are very excited that Iranian filmmaker Mohammad Ehsani’s newest documentary, “Water Will Take Us,” is now screening at festivals. Check out the trailer! The film delves into the effectsof climate change in Iran, from water shortages to catastrophicfloods. Three women narrate the story, uncovering the causes andmismanagement that led to flooding in 2019.If you're in Seia, Portugal there will be a screening of “WaterWill Take Us” at the 29th Serra da Estrela InternationalEnvironmental Film Festival, which is running from Oct 5 - 13, 2023.Find out more information about the festival here:www.cineeco.pt/Learn more about the support of our sister organization, the L/GFoundation, here:culturesofresistance.org/groups-we-support/mohammad-ehsani/Trailer:vimeo.com/709801179 ... See MoreSee Less

Trailer of The Water Will Take Us

vimeo.com

This is "Trailer of The Water Will Take Us" by Mohammad Ehsani on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

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