BLACKLIST is a series of public documentary film screenings and accompanying panel sessions thematically grouped around the significant societal and environmental challenges of our time. Themes include (yet are not limited to) Militarisation of Police, Automated Systems and Artificial Intelligence, Mass Surveillance, 21st Century Fascism, Over-consumption, The 6th Mass Extinction, Food Security and Climate Change.

Each screening comprises a single newly-released documentary film and panel of experts and/or activists closely related to the (given) theme. It is the goal of this panel to address tensions, challenges and mitigation strategies following the screening, inviting debate and discussion to the ends of encouraging engagement.

In short, Blacklist aims to bring attendees in contact with activists around themes already important to them, stimulating their own 'latent activist' to get involved toward the ends of enacting positive change.

Blacklist is derived from its parent Black Sheep; the initiative of Ziya Tong, Black Sheep events comprise private, ad-hoc screenings to activists in cities worldwide.

Blacklist is organised by (in first-name alphabetical order) Crystelle Vu, Julian Oliver and Manon Bernard.

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BLACKLIST #4

What is Democracy?

November 22nd, 2018, 19:00
Doors open 18:30
Spektrum, Bürknerstraße 12, 12047 Berlin, Map
Free entry. Seats limited. RSVP today via an email to event@blackl.st


Do we really live in a democracy? Do we even know what Democracy is?

BLACKLIST #4 asks these questions in the context of the newly-released documentary "What is Democracy?" by director Astra Taylor (Žižek!, Examined Life).

PANELISTS

Abid Muhajir - Features in the film. Former English teacher born in Afghanistan, grew up in Pakistan
Liza Pflaum - Political scientist, activist and co-founder of the Seebrücke movement
Shanon Bobinger - Speaker, cultural bridge-builder

Moderated by Jean Peters artist and co-founder of culture jamming activist group Peng! Collective.

The panel begins at 21:30 and will be held in English. We invite audience engagement in English, German and French.

SYNOPSIS

Coming at a moment of profound political and social crisis, What Is Democracy? reflects on a word we too often take for granted.

Director Astra Taylor’s idiosyncratic, philosophical journey spans millennia and continents: from ancient Athens’ groundbreaking experiment in self-government to capitalism’s roots in medieval Italy; from modern-day Greece grappling with financial collapse and a mounting refugee crisis to the United States reckoning with its racist past and the growing gap between rich and poor.

Featuring a diverse cast—including celebrated theorists, trauma surgeons, activists, factory workers, asylum seekers, and former prime ministers—this urgent film connects the past and the present, the emotional and the intellectual, the personal and the political, in order to provoke and inspire. If we want to live in democracy, we must first ask what the word even means.

UPCOMING

BLACKLIST #5 - [TBA]

PREVIOUSLY

BLACKLIST #3 - The Real Price of Shipping
BLACKLIST #2 - The Global Arms Trade
BLACKLIST #1 - Militarisation of the Police

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