Ventura County Supporters

GLOBAL EXCHANGE

Ventura County Supporters present:

“IN MY COUNTRY”

A  Film about Reconciliation in South Africa

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Thousand Oaks Library, 1401 E. Janss Road

6:45 P.M- 8:30 P.M.

South Africa today is in the world’s spotlight as it successfully hosts the Soccer World Cup.  This event is another significant step in healing that nation’s wounds from its bitter apartheid era and in bringing it together.   The fact that South Africa has come so far since the end of apartheid in 1990 is a tribute to its leaders and its people, although the struggle to heal the wounds and divisions of the past still continues.

A major step in South Africa’s healing process were the hearings started in 1996 by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission that was set up by the National Unity government/  The Commission was established  to help deal with what happened under apartheid. The conflict during this period resulted in violence and human rights abuses from all sides. No section of society escaped these abuses.   These hearings gave  members of the public a chance to express their regret at failing to prevent human rights violations and to demonstrate their commitment to reconciliation.  They served as a forum for those accused of murder and torture to be confronted by their victims and, by admitting their guilt, be granted amnesty under Ubuntu, a native custom of forgiveness

The film “In My Country” is a drama set against the backdrop of the  Commission hearings, It charts the lowest depths of pain and suffering and reveals the redeeming power of forgiveness and love.  Nelson Mandela called it a "A beautiful and important film - - - It will engage and influence not only South Africans, but people all over the world concerned with the great questions of human reconciliation, forgiveness, and tolerance."

Released in 2004, the film stars Juliette Binoche and Samuel L. Jackson and was directed by John Boorman.  It is 103 minutes long.  The screening is free and open to the public.

GLOBAL EXCHANGE VENTURA COUNTY SUPPORTERS
 www.globalexchangeventuracountysupporters.org

For further information contact Joanie McClellan at GXventuraTO@aol.com, Tel: 805-241-8855

The Global Exchange Ventura County Supporters is a group of people - a community of conscience -dedicated to providing local monthly public forums, supporting and working with other local organizations committed to social and economic justice, human rights and ecological sustainability   
Global Exchange, headquartered in San Francisco , is an international human rights organization dedicated to promoting environmental, political and social justice. Since our founding in 1988, we have increased the US public's global awareness while building partnerships worldwide.   Visit:  www.globalexchange.org

DIRECTIONS FROM OXNARD/VENTURA AREA:

Take #101 South, take the #23 North, off at Janss Road. Turn right, Turn left into the parking lot and proceed to the Library's main entrance.

DIRECTIONS FROM MOORPARK/SIM VALLEY AREA: 

Take #118 West to the #23 South: off at Janss Road. Turn left, Turn left into the parking lot and proceed to the Library's main entrance

DIRECTIONS FROM AREAS SOUTH:

Take #101 North to the #23 North (Moorpark), off at Janss Road. Turn right, Turn left into the parking lot and proceed to the Library's main entrance.