constructing fear previews at acmi cinemas
Constructing Fear
ACMI presents a special screening of Constructing Fear, the untold story of the impact of the Howard government's building industry reforms on ordinary workers on this Saturday 25 August.
This 40-minute documentary by Melbourne filmmaker Joe Loh, looks at the evolution of a divisive government initiative, the Building Construction Industry Improvement Act.
The Act was rushed through Parliament in mid 2005 affecting hundreds of ordinary working Australians who share only one common bond: they are members of a union. The industrial reforms established an industrial watchdog, the Australian Building and Construction Commission, with power to hold secret tribunals and impose penalties such as jail terms and individual fines of up to $28 600.
Joe Loh's film raises fundamental questions about the status of Australia as a democratic country, interviewing workers who find the courage to speak out about how the ABCC has intimidated and threatened them. It delves into the negative impact of these reforms, showing the intense emotional, monetary and domestic strain they have placed on workers and their families.
'People in a democracy should feel free to stand up for themselves, to speak out, and if necessary to act to improve their society. These rights have been taken away from building workers in Australia .Their stories shocked me, but their strength and courage gives me great hope,' director Joe Loh says of the film.
Loh will introduce this special ACMI screening. Loh's previous work includes directing the award-winning film Malarkey, which screened at several international festivals, and the Bloody Minded, a short documentary about church bell ringers which screened at the 2005 St Kilda Film Festival.
Eddy Current Suppression Ring - the band whose music features in the film - will be playing afterwards at a venue to be announced at the screening.
Constructing Fear, featuring an introduction by director Joe Loh, screens this Saturday 25 August at 6:30pm at ACMI Cinemas.
Find out more here or visit http://www.constructingfear.com/
Published Tuesday, 21 August 2007
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