Inter Pares - Rising From the Ashes

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Rising From the Ashes

Peru’s civil war, which raged from 1980 to 2000, killed more than 69,000 people, and left hundreds of survivors of sexual violence, primarily indigenous women. Hidden from view high in the Andes, the brutality of the conflict shocked Peruvians when it was revealed in the 2003 Truth and Reconciliation Commission (CVR) report. The CVR’s evidence confirmed that during the armed conflict, rape was systematically used by the army as a weapon against civilian indigenous women. Yet while women suffered, the conflict also spurred them to take on new roles, often as community leaders.

Inter Pares and Project Counselling Service (PCS) have produced a 30-minute film, Rising From the Ashes, to share our work in Peru through the inspiring story of four indigenous women. As survivors and activists, through their organizations they are struggling to create a more just and peaceful society by seeking justice for past crimes, by providing mental health support to other survivors, and by promoting women’s leadership within their communities. PCS and Inter Pares are proud to collaborate with these women and to share their stories.

Would you be interested in organizing or publicizing a screening in your community, or living room for friends and family to raise awareness and funds for our work? If so, please contact Samantha McGavin at smcgavin@interpares.ca, or toll-free at (866) 563-4801, for a copy of the video and related materials.

The following are recent and upcoming screening dates; all screening information will be listed here as dates are confirmed.

Nanaimo: September 29, 2009 at Brechin United Church (1998 Estevan Rd.), at 7pm. A discussion will follow the film, led by Inter Pares staff member Samantha McGavin, and refreshments will be served. The event is free of charge, though donations are welcomed. The screening is co-sponsored by the Nanaimo Global Film Festival Group and Haven House.
Ottawa: October 29th, 2009, as part of the One World Film Festival (OWFF). All OWFF screenings are at Library and Archives Canada, 395 Wellington St., from 6 to 11pm. Come out for an evening of engaging documentary film! The film's director, Steven Hunt, will be in attendance, as well as Diana Avila, a former Inter Pares colleague and one of the women interviewed in the film. A discussion will follow the screening.
Toronto: November 9th, 2009, as part of the "Women, Violence & Resistance" series of the Centre for Women's Studies in Education at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto. The free screening will take place from 7-9 p.m. at OISE (252 Bloor St. West, directly above the St. George TTC station), room 212. Light refreshments will be served. Nadia Faucher, Inter Pares staff member, will be speaking after the film. A discussion will follow.

Rising From the Ashes is distributed in Canada and the U.S. by Moving Images Distribution. High schools, universities, and other institutions who are interested in purchasing a copy for their use are asked to contact Moving Images directly. Click here to read the catalogue description.

Rising From the Ashes was produced for Inter Pares by Sound Development Productions, and is available in English, French, and Spanish.

Watch one of the sample clips below:


Reviewed July 31, 2009		Publishing Policies