The Alternative Community Cinema group which was set up in the west of County Donegal a number of years ago is to hold its first event of 2012 on Saturday 11th February.
In recent years the community based group has held various events at which screenings of films and documentaries regarding global issues and matters of current affairs have been shown to audiences in the west Donegal region.
The latest event, which will be held in Ionad Naomh Padraig, Dobhar, will feature the the film ‘Even The Rain’, a dramatic film set in Bolivia in the year 2000 which examines the similarities between the colonial occupation of the region 500 years previous by European imperial powers and modern day globalisation, with the fight to prevent privatisation of the Bolivian peoples water supply.
The evening will also have guest speakers Ciaran Campbell of the trade union Mandate and Donegal independent TD Thomas Pringle, who will speak on the effects privatisation could have in Donegal and the current on going campaign against the household, septic tank and water charges.
Event organiser and spokesperson for Alternative Community Cinema, Micheál Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig said that the projects latest film showing had a very important message considering the current issues facing the people of Ireland today.
“Community events such as this are a progressive way of not only educating but also a way in which the community itself can come together to debate, discuss and move forward together. The film itself shows what can be achieved when people pull together and has a very important message for Ireland today” Mr Mac Giolla Easbuig said.
Stating the current issues in Ireland Mr Mac Giolla Easbuig continued, “Just like the issue which is depicted in this events film, we have a very similar situation forming in our own country today with powers from outside such as the IMF influencing the current government to move toward the privatisation of services such as our water, just as was the case in Bolivia over ten years ago.
“And it is also worth noting that one of the private firms involved the Bolivian issue was Veolia, a private global water company who is also now involved here in Donegals water supply. So I think this particular film will resonate with a lot of people here given the fact we are facing threats of water charges and the distinct possibility of the privatisation of our water.”
The film night will also feature food for everyone attending and the evening will finish off with live music by the band ‘Wee Small Gods’. Those attending are invited to bring their own drink. The event to be held on Saturday 11th February will start at 7.30pm sharp and admission is free. For more information you can contact the event organiser Micheál Cholm on 0868845476.ENDS