New College Cinema: Nicaragua and the World Bank; Zapatista

Monday, 11/19 Deadly Embrace: Nicaragua, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund The war in Nicaragua is not over - it has just become more invisible. This film, made in 1996, traces the history of U.S. involvement in the region, focusing on the current economic attack of the IMF, the World Bank and U.S. agencies. After five years of IMF and World Bank programs, Nicaragua had experienced the worst economic collapse in its history and has been reduced to one of the poorest countries in the world. The devastation that Nicaragua experienced, although extreme, is not unique; according to UNICEF, six million children die each year due to IMF and World Bank policies. The film is a truly remarkable piece of popular education, effectively humanizing critical economic issues. 30 minutes. 1995. Video. Zapatista January 1, 1994: A few minutes after midnight in Southeastern Mexico and t the North American free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has just become law. during the Night, a small band of Indian rebels rises up in the state of Chiapas demanding local autonomy. They call themselves the Zapatista National Liberation Army (EZLN). Summer 1996: Three Students from the U.S. and Europe hear something so new and powerful in the Zapatista' message that they realize they must go to Chiapas. armed only with credit cards and two state-of-the-art digital video cameras they make their way deep into the Lacondon jungle to join and document the ongoing rebellion. Combining the raw intensity of the footage from the front lines with commentary from international humanitarians, this film is an excellent introduction to the ongoing uprising. It is the story of how a few thousand Mayan peasants have transformed the political culture of Mexico forever. 54 minutes. 1996. Video. New College Cultural Center, 766 Valencia Street. 8:00 pm. A $3-5 donation is requested.