Cinema Libre Studio, a Burbank-based independent distribution company with a focus on social issue films, has two powerful films opening this weekend, following a New York City run, which focus on human rights.
Beyond The Raging Sea, a documentary, follows the harrowing tale of Egyptian adventurers Omar Nour and Omar Samra (Team 02) as they take on the Talisker Atlantic Challenge, an unsupported 3,000 nautical mile journey from the Canary Islands to Antigua. After two years of preparation, with little open water experience, Team 02 embarked on the world’s toughest row. In collaboration with UNHCR and UNDP, they dedicated their journey to the displaced people who face peril crossing dangerous seas. The Hollywood Reporter called it “a gripping adventure on high seas.”
Omar Samra, the first Egyptian to climb Mount Everest and Omar Nour the first Egyptian professional triathlete are in Santa Monica for Q&A talkbacks with director Marco Orsini following shows on Friday at 7:30, Saturday at 4:30 and Sunday at 12:45 & 3:00.
Website: https://www.beyondtheragingsea.com/
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmiEg_hxdew
Written and directed by Philippe Diaz, “I am Gitmo,” is an award-winning narrative, which Truthdig called, “an effective and necessary reminder that after 23-plus years, Guantanamo is still open. And for that, we should all feel ashamed.”
Synopsis: During the War on Terror after 9/11, Gamel Sadek (Sammy Sheik), a Muslim schoolteacher is taken from his home and delivered to Bagram Air Base, a CIA black site, where he is questioned about the whereabouts of Osama Bin Laden. He is tortured when he denies knowing him. Chained and hooded, he is put on a cargo plane to Guantanamo Bay. John Anderson (Eric Pierpoint), a military interrogator, is brought out of retirement and assigned to Gamel’s case leaving his daughter behind in New York. Despite relentless beatings, starvation, and torture in Gitmo, Gamel maintains his innocence. John struggles to accept the new torture methods imposed by General Miller (Sean O’Bryan), newly in command of the prison, and the mandate to force a confession at any cost. As Gamel prepares for a hearing on his status as an enemy combatant with his lawyer Bob Levin (Paul Kampf), he realizes he could be held indefinitely, and that John’s testimony will be the deciding factor.
The film has garnered a Best Actor Award at the Marbella Film Festival and a Special Jury Award at the Socially Relevant Film Festival.
Q&As following three shows with Philippe Diaz moderated by journalist Jeremy Kuzmarov include:
Friday @ 1:00 -Fionnuala D. Ní Aoláin who was UN Special Rapporteur on Human rights and Counterterrorism
Saturday @ 7:00 & Sunday @ 7:15 – Cast members Eric Pierpoint and Chico Brown
Website: https://iamgitmo.com/
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AW2MQBN3cx8
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Additional shows ALL WEEK for both films with senior matinee discounts and student ticket prices!
Tickets & Showtimes @ Laemmle Monica
1332 2nd Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401
