June in the DocHouse

by Alice McShane

DocHouse, a company specialising in exhibiting world-class documentaries, is screening a series of hard-hitting films at cinemas across greater London throughout June.

Assistant Producer Alexis Wood explains: “Using the opportunity we have with our cinema partners in London, we want to bring films that are really hot on the festival circuit, but will probably never get a screening in a cinema or smaller venue.”

June’s programme features three documentaries from around the globe, all of which cost just £5 for students: “We always try and cater for students”, said Wood.

Desert Riders, showing at North London’s Tricycle Theatre on June 14, focuses on the controversial sport of camel racing in the United Arab Emirates, where illegally trafficked child jockeys risk their lives and are frequently subjected to mistreatment and abuse.

Shocking truths

“Desert Riders is extremely shocking”, said Wood, “it’s not like anything you would ever see on the news.”

Five Broken Cameras focuses on the Arab-Israeli conflict through the eyes of Palestinian farm labourer Emad Burnat and his five bullet-ridden cameras.

The documentary is presented in association with the Open City Documentaries Festival taking place June 21-24 in and around University College London (UCL).

The third documentary Bitter Seeds – screening on June 28 at Richmix in Bethnal Green – investigates the tragic plight of Indian farmers affected by genetically modified farming.

Films for all

As well as focusing on bringing ‘first rate’ documentaries to the mainstream, DocHouse holds film festivals in London throughout the year alongside workshops and master-classes for filmmakers in the United Kingdom.

”We also offer the opportunity for short film screenings that we sometimes have accompanying the features”, said Wood.

Talented

May’s programme culminated in a screening of the documentary Personal Best directed by National Film and Television School graduate Sam Blair.

Personal Best followed a group of Britain’s most talented young sprinters in the lead up to the 2012 Olympics, and was described by critics as ‘a true portrait of what it takes to succeed and progress in athletics from grassroots level to the international stage’.

The viewing was held at the Ritzy Picturehouse in Brixton on May 28 and was accompanied by a Q&A session with the filmmakers as well as a DJ set by Lukid, who composed the music for the soundtrack.

Wood said: “We like to make events of the films that we do, it’s not just about a screening.

For full details on all DocHouse’s upcoming films, venues and ticket information visit www.dochouse.org