DOCUMENTARY FILMS AND THE POLITICS OF MEMORY
It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the feeling that we live in dark times. Serious crises loom over us. Democracy is in decline. Is it really as bad as it seems or do we exaggerate our fear of climate change, political extremism, polarization and conflict? The best thing we can do is to try to separate reality from propaganda. How we understand the present is the basis for how we create the future. At this year’s festival you can choose among 45 documentaries on a huge variety of topics; from films about how to start an organic farm, living with dementia, or growing up in a suburb in Scotland, to films that investigate huge global challenges such as Artificial Intelligence, or how to get justice for war crimes. The festival has an extensive debate program created in collaboration with our many fantastic partners. We welcome you to take part and discuss with human rights activists, artists, filmmakers, pundits and politicians. You can also enjoy theatre plays, concerts, art exhibitions and performances. The documentary film industry worldwide is in the middle of an enormously creative and productive period. We are in a golden age for documentary film. The number of high-quality films from all over the world is staggering and makes our selection process a truly privileged task. Some films are funny, exciting and moving, while others can be terribly hard to watch. Sometimes we ask ourselves why we should watch films about horrific human rights violations and extreme suffering. Does it do any good?
Our answer is that sometimes it is necessary to see the films that are the hardest to watch. Not only because they’re good films, and even great art, but because we need to know what’s real. We all have a responsibility to safeguard reality. It is not enough to know that it is recorded and stored somewhere. We have to carry history with us to avoid being manipulated by propaganda. This is especially important when reality no longer seems to matter to state leaders. Watching a film about something real is an action in itself. It matters that a part of reality is now present in your memory. Welcome to the 12th edition of the Human International Documentary Film Festival. I wish you an insightful, inspiring, joyful and interesting week. Ketil Magnussen Festival Director
