Our second annual Film That Matter series starts this Friday night in Atlanta’s historical Reynoldstown neighborhood. The Constant Gardener is first. It tells the story of a human rights activist who is brutalized and murdered while working in Africa, and her husband’s determination to find out who is responsible. The film is about his quest to get answers and the journey reveals unexpected twists of power and intrigue. It came out in 2005 to critical acclaim and Academy Awards. Ralph Fiennes and Rachel Weisz anchor the cast as the couple at the center of the story.
We chose it for this year’s series because it touches on some reoccurring themes in the human rights space. The first, of course, is sober remembrance of the extremely dire situations in which thousands of activists work to broker basic aid, mediate conflict and attain rights and privileges for others. Professional human rights work is some of the most dangerous on earth and the people who do it assume untold risk and hardship bringing short term aid and long term reform to every corner of the planet. The second idea on which to reflect when you’re watching this movie is the unlikely hero. Justin, played by Ralph Fiennes, is the last person the perpetrators expect to confront. He’s mild mannered with no particular breeding or rank. He uses the tools available to him to become a problem for those who would violate basic human dignity and international law. Finally, this film is a case for renewed consumer attention to corporate social responsibility—to put it lightly. Pleasing customers has never been as important as it is in this economic climate which makes insisting on attention to human rights not just feasible, but imperative.
Join us Friday, September 9th in Reynoldstown. Activities begin at 7 and the movie begins at sundown. The event is free and open to the public.