Several films of interest are included in this year's festival. A couple highlights:
Farewell Ferris Wheel, USA/Mexico 2016
Over the past two centuries, the carnival has become a central component of American culture. Each year, the carnival industry legally employs thousands of Mexican citizens for the eight-month carnival season under the H-2B visa program. However, H-2B jobs have been compared to modern-day slavery due to complaints of workplace abuse, injuries on the job, diluted wages, and withholding of pay. Protections which domestic workers enjoy are not extended to those who enter the country legally as guest workers. Farewell Ferris Wheel explores the crossroads between economic need and human rights through one of the most recognizable symbols of America.
Landfill Harmonic, USA/Paraguay 2015
Built in the shadow of a massive landfill, the Paraguayan community of Cateura survives by selling recyclable materials collected from the trash. A musical group known as the Recycled Orchestra of Cateura plays instruments made entirely out of garbage. When their story goes viral in the media, the orchestra is launched into the global spotlight. Guided by idealistic music director Favio Chavez, the orchestra navigates an unfamiliar new world of arenas and soldout concerts. After a natural disaster strikes their country, Favio must find a way to keep the orchestra intact and deliver hope to their town. Directors Graham Townsley and Brad Allgood shed light on the possibilities that exist for all communities, no matter how impoverished.
Charlottesville: Nov. 3 - 6. Full lineup and details here.