Free Thinking Film Festival

Joined some of my friends tonight at the opening of the Free Thinking Film Festival at the Archives Building on Wellington Street. Lots of my fellow free speech/pro-Israel bloggers were out in force. Here are some pictures from the reception after the film and some information about Kalifornistan, the debut feature and some info on what's up for tomorrow and Sunday.

Please check Schedule of Films for any last minute changes.

Panel Discussion after Mr. Conservative
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Library and Archives Canada
2:00 PM

Right after the showing of Mr. Conservative: Goldwater on Goldwater, please join us for a panel discussion on what it means to be a conservative with John Robson, Joseph Ben-Ami, Terry Glavin and Karen Selick.

Elizabeth May to debate Ezra Levant!
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Library and Archives Canada
4:00 PM

Yes, The Showdown in O-Town! Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada, will be debating Ezra Levant, author of "Ethical Oil: The Case for Canada's Oil Sands," on Saturday, November 13th at 4:00 PM. Seating precedence will be given to Festival Pass Holders.

OUR THREE MAIN GALA EVENTS

Opening Night Gala
"Kalifornistan"
Friday, November 12, 2010
Library and Archives Canada
Main Auditorium
7:00 PM

The opening night gala is also a fundraiser for the
Military Family Resource Centre which helps
military families in the capital region.


In the shadowy Port of Los Angeles, an insane terrorist stalks a beautiful dancer ... while plotting the nuclear apocalypse he hopes will make him a celebrity. KALIFORNISTAN is a darkly comic satire on terrorism made by Canadian actress and filmmaker Govindini Murty and American filmmaker Jason Apuzzo. KALIFORNISTAN follows the deranged leader of a terror cell called 'Glorious Jihad of Kalifornistan' as he plots to destroy Los Angeles with a nuclear bomb - while being distracted by a sultry exotic dancer. KALIFORNISTAN fuses film, video, documentary and surveillance footage into a cutting-edge narrative on the violence, narcissism and delusional fantasies that fuel contemporary Islamic terrorism. KALIFORNISTAN takes viewers on a twisted journey of the post-9/11 world from Gitmo to Iran, from the dark corners of LA harbour into the mind of a terrorist too deranged even for Al Qaeda.

Human Events says of KALIFORNISTAN: “The film clicks as strong, effective satire ... Kalifornistan ... dares to see the average terrorist for what he truly is -- a laughably warped soul with a world view shaped by Islamic radicalism -- and too many extremist blogs ... and once you meet the terrorist at the heart of the film you’ll wonder why more filmmakers haven’t taken this approach before.” LA's Daily Breeze says that "Kalifornistan may be the South Bay's 21st century cinematic equivalent of Gone in 60 Seconds, the 1974 cult classic." Online journal Rational Review says that KALIFORNISTAN "is beautifully shot" and "it's Fellini meets Kubrick."

Govindini Murty is an Ottawa native who co-founded the Liberty Film Festival in Los Angeles with her husband Jason Apuzzo in order to provide a greater diversity of viewpoints in Hollywood. Murty and Apuzzo have been frequently featured in the media, are independent filmmakers, and are also the Co-Editors of Libertas Film Magazine.

The pictures show Jason Apuzzo and Govindini Murty on stage; one of the bloggers at VladTepesblog.com and someone I don't know; me and Jason Apuzzo; Libertarian lawyer and columnist Karen Selick and Fred Litwin, festival organizer and blogger at Gay and Right; my friends Norm, Carole and Mary; the lovely and bright Govindini Murty; blogger Miss Marprelate; Jason Apuzzo; and Right Chick.

I'll be there tomorrow afternoon and Sunday. See you there?