The Anglo-Ethiopian Society
BFI London Film Festival - Difret
Director/Screenplay Zeresenay Berhane Mehari
Sunday 19th October 2014
Rich Mix Cinema, Screen 1, 35-47 Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA
Tickets on sale to the public from 18 September.
3:45pm, Difret is being shown as part of the First Feature Competition in the 2014 BFI London Film Festival.
"An affecting feature debut, Difret details the traumatic experience of an Ethiopian girl accused of killing a man who sexually abused her. On her way back home from school, 14-year-old Hirut (Tizita Hagere) is kidnapped by a gang of men and forced into marrying their leader Tadele. She is beaten and raped but manages to free herself, escaping with the rifle she uses to shoot her abductor. Arrested and charged with murder, local justice requires that Hirut is executed and then buried with her victim. However, on hearing about her case a courageous lawyer (Meron Getnet) decides to defend her - at great risk to her own career. Difret, which means 'courage' in Amharic, is a delicate yet impassioned story that offers empowerment and hope to countless women all over the world." Keith Shiri
Director - Screenwriter: Zeresenay Berhane Mehari.
Producers: Mehret Mandefro, Leelai Demoz, Zeresenay Berhane Mehari, Francesca Zampi,Julie Mehretu, Jessica Rankin, Lacey Schwartz.
With: Meron Getnet, Tizita Hagere.
USA-Ethiopia 2014. 99min. UK Distribution Soda Pictures
More information can be found on the BFI website.