The theme for this year’s Film Festival is “Race Hatred – Where Did It Come From? Why Does It Persist?“ We will be screening all four episodes of the docudrama “Exterminate All the Brutes,” which is an exploration of the exploitative and genocidal aspects of European colonialism, from America to Africa, and its impact on society today. The series won the 2022 Peabody award for Documentary and the 2022 award for Best Multi-Part Documentary from the International Documentary Association. Director Raoul Peck also received a nomination from the Directors Guild of America for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Documentary for this series.
Light refreshments will be available and a short discussion will follow each screening. Cost is free, donations gladly accepted (and all donations will go towards the temple’s Elevator Upgrade fund). For more information about the Venice Hongwanji Buddhist Film Festival, contact Richard Modiano or Judy Hopfield.
April 7, 11:30AM
The Disturbing Confidence of Ignorance (58 minutes)
Part 1 examines the intertwined currents of hate and bigotry running through history; exploring how race first became institutionalized, the Nazi program of “elimination” and the looting of the African continent in a “gentlemen’s agreement.”
April 14, 11:30AM
Who the F*** Is Columbus? (58 minutes)
Part 2 revisits the stories of Christopher Columbus, the Alamo and the Trail of Tears from an indigenous perspective; examining the “doctrine of discovery,” which was used to justify the enslavement of millions.
May 5, 11:30AM
Killing at a Distance (58 minutes)
Part 3 looks back at human migration, trade and weaponry; industrialized steel; the endless cycle of militarization throughout history; George Washington’s efforts to jumpstart American arms manufacturing; the Monroe Doctrine; Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
May 19, 12:30PM
Part 4 explores the modern resurgence of white nationalism to fascism, slavery, colonialism and Nazism.