Mumia Abu-jamal: A Case for Reasonable Doubt?

A Case for Reasonable Doubt?
A Journalist / Cab Driver serving time on death row,
a dead Police Officer and the city of Philadelphia.

The documentary looks at both sides of the case, but lean towards one more than the other. In 1981, Mumia Abu Jamal was convicted for the murder of a white police officer in the city of Philadelphia. The officer's name is Daniel Faulkner. Jamal is now serving time on death row. He always claimed his innocence yet never offered an explanation/statement of what exactly occurred on that deadly night. One of the many problems facing the case against Jamal are his witnesses, more that half of the eyewitnesses that night are dubious characters changing their stories along the way as a life lay in wait. Another part of the puzzle is Jamal's brother who was involved in the incident yet is missing altogether from the documentary.

The documentary makes a very convincing case against the evidence of the prosecution, the story brought forth by the prosecution were either coerced or thin air creation of the officers involved with the investigation. One of the officers said Abu Jamal made an open confession while in the hospital on the night in question, yet the attending physician said no such confession took place while he was present.

Mumia certainly has a lot to say, and a number of people seems to think what is on his mind is harmful and risky. However, he is the author of a few books and a journalist for NRP. A lot of his work is very accessible and can be found online.

If you have some more time:
Live from Death Row
All Things Censored with Alice Walker
Death Blossoms: Reflections from a Prisoner of Conscience

Audio:
MUMIA ABU-JAMAL
All Things Censored Volume 1
Appearing on the disc also: Howard Zinn and Alice Walker among others.

Occupation 101: Voice of the Silenced Majority

Almost everyone we know have something or the other to say about the issue of Israel/Palestine occupation. Often times this story of struggle is reported from credible and persuasive sources as an age old struggle between two religious groups that will continue for centuries to come. The story is told from such an angle to exclude participation from those outside of the conflict. One of the issues the documentary examine is the history of the three major religious groups occupying the land.

The filmmakers introduce the documentary with footage of other nations fighting the occupation of their oppressors. Footage of unrest from countries such as Algeria, South Africa, the US and Indian parallel the injustice and oppression that any nation with its young would fight against. The film focuses on the side of the atrocities that go unreported day after day, checkpoints, displacement of families, refugee camps and many other issues.

At times the filmmakers used drum and base with the bloody images of the intifada to heighten the moment, however it feels over the top and needless, the violence and bloodiness of the truths was loud enough. The documentary was directed by Sufyan Omeish and Abdallah Omeish, and narrated by Alison Weir. A little about the outspoken narrator.

A short list of commentators in the film:
Richard Falk
Noam Chomsky
Peretz Kidron
Rashid Khalidi
Ilan Pappé

The official home of the film

Born Into Brothels: Calcutta's Red Light Kids

What a burdensome title for a film, its loaded with disturbing content. And more disturbing to know, we are viewing a version of the truth, or something very close to it. The documentary is an important piece of history, showing one of the worst ways people make a living in the world. Zana Briski who is responsible for the film set out to document the lives of the prostitutes in Calcutta's Red Light District. The women of the district grew weary of Briski and her camera. However, the children were excite and fascinated by the camera and so she gained the children's confidence by teaching them how to photograph their home,family,friends and village. One of the really refreshing things about the film is the emphasis on the children, their unfiltered opinions, the way they see things. The filmmakers are most times in the background.

Deservingly, it won the Academy Awards for Best Documentary feature and all the other awards below it. You should just get a cup of tea and kick back an d watch it now, and then you should tell all of your friends.