The UCLA International Institute Human Rights Film Series begins on Wednesday, Jan. 28, with a public screening of "Killer's Paradise" and discussion with director Giselle Portenier. The documentary film shines a light on the murders of more than 2,000 Guatemalan women in recent years and on responses by police and officials that often only compound the crimes.
At 6:00 p.m on Wednesday, Jan. 28, at the James Bridges Theater (1409 Melnitz Hall), the International Institute Human Rights Film Series begins with a screening of "Killer's Paradise" (2006), a documentary about the murders of Guatemalan women in the years since civil war. Director Giselle Portenier will introduce her film and engage in a discussion with the audience following it.
Since 1999 more than two thousand women have been murdered in Guatemala, with the numbers escalating every year. Yet, lawmakers and government officials continue to turn a blind eye. Powerful and uncompromising, Killer's Paradise uncovers one of the most emotionally-wrenching hidden human rights abuses taking place, while exposing the impunity allowed by an inept judicial system. With its history of almost four decades of civil war (1960-96), Guatemala is a troubled society, but it can also be seen as a microcosm of the pervasive violence and injustice against women that exists in the world today.
This film is part of the UCLA International Institute's International Human Rights Film Series. Learn more at www.international.ucla.edu/humanrights.
Published: Friday, January 23, 2009