photo by softlad stole my soul

Did you know there’s an international holiday on December 10^th that requires your participation and has nothing to do with hanging decorations or gift shopping? No, it has nothing to do with that other holiday season. It’s International Human Rights Day on December 10^th. You have an opportunity to join with thousands of like-minded people worldwide who are committed to protecting human rights by participating in Amnesty International’s Global Write-a-thon to write letters, postcards and emails on behalf of prisoners of conscience, human rights defenders, and others at risk.  Takepart in this important event and to mark International Human Rights Day.

It’s June 27th, I’m Gina Telaroli and this is TakePart.com’s look at the week in social action

Social Action + Cinema Videos of the Day:

1) Burma: It Can’t Wait- Myanmar Celebrity Campaign PSA Montage

For the Cinema YouTube Video of the Day, Click here >>>

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The TakePart Top 10 Weekly Roundup is a compilation of the week’s most notable stories from our entertainment-meets-social-action blogging network. Check out some of our most popular stories of the week, as well as a few TakePart blogger favorites!

Nicole Hughes:

U.S. Media Ignores Link Between Midwest Floods and Global Warming

Top 10 Houseplants for Removing Indoor Air Pollution

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Andy Kondrat:

Dubai to Build Rotating Positive Energy Tower

Bioethicist Peter Singer Tackles World Food Shortage

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Jon Popham:

Americacorps Workers Assist Flood Ravaged Town

Australians “Out-Fat” Americans

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Giulia Rozzi:

Progressive Book Club

Oprah Recommends “A New Earth”

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Gina Telaroli:

Human Rights Watch 2008 Film Festival Update

SilverDocs 2008 Update

So the first week of Human Rights Watch is almost over so if you’re in NYC, catch something while you still can. I’ll be posting reviews of the remaining films in the next few days before they screen so keep checking back. Each film’s screening times will be listed and I’ll leave a schedule of reviews to come here.

Also in case you’re just tuning in now, here’s a little refresher on what’s already played:

• Human Rights Watch 08 : Calle Santa Fe
• Human Rights Watch 08 : The Beytrayal (Nerakhoon)
• Human Rights Watch 08 : American Outrage
• Human Rights Watch 08 : A Promise to the Dead

Here’s what’s ahead:

• Under the Bombs : http://filmlinc.com/wrt/onsale/hrw08/underthebombs.html
• The Sari Soldiers : http://filmlinc.com/wrt/onsale/hrw08/thesarisoldiers.html
• Traces of the Trade : http://www.filmlinc.com/wrt/onsale/hrw08/tracesofthetrade.html
• Letter to Anna : http://www.filmlinc.com/wrt/onsale/hrw08/lettertoanna.html

After all is said and done I’ll post a comprehensive piece full of Takepart links that will let you connect to the issues in the film!

Calle Santa Fe - Director: Carmen Castillo; Country: Chile/France/Belgium; Release: 2007, Runtime: 163

Screening : Wed Jun 18: 7

For the documentary filmmaker that has often thought about including their own story in their film, Carmen Castillo’s Calle Santa Fe is worth considering.

A personal meditation on her time in Chile in the early 1970’s and the death of her husband, her comrade and revolutionary Miguel Enriquez, Castillo tells of her past while revisiting the scene where her husband was killed. Much of her story is told in voice-over and in turn she creates a journal of sorts surrounding her story, past and present.

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Social Action + Cinema Videos of the Day:

1) Human Rights Watch : Cluster Munitions - A Weapon Out of Control

For the Cinema YouTube Video of the Day, Click here >>>

Read the rest of this entry »