[StopTheWar] FW: Red Oil film showing - the story behind Venezuela's state oil company, Tuesday 4th May

[Lambert, Emily]

Event which may be of interest.....

 

Red Oil takes an inside look at Petróleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA), the Venezuelan state-owned petroleum company. The film follows the dramatic ups and downs of PDVSA as the Government under Hugo Chavez takes control with the aim of using its profits to further socially progressive goals.

 

Red Oil was released in February 2009 and runs for 55 minutes.

 

The film showing will be followed by a discussion facilitated by Johnny Ogilve of the Venezuela Solidarity Campaign.

 

Date: Tuesday 4th May 2010, at 7.30pm    Venue:  New Kings College NK10

 

Synopsis

Venezuela has 77.5 billion barrels of conventional oil reserves according to PDVSA figures, the largest in the Western Hemisphere and making up approximately half the total. This puts Venezuela as fifth in the world in proven reserves of conventional oil.

A 1970s oil boom largely benefited the middle classes, but a subsequent price collapse condemned many of this class to poverty while eroding the living standards of the already impoverished. The country officially nationalized its oil industry in 1976, and Petróleos de Venezuela S.A. (PDVSA), the Venezuelan state-owned petroleum company was born.

 

Prior to 2002 Venezuela's traditional ruling classes have siphoned off oil revenues while failing to diversify the economy or address chronic poverty.

 

Under the Government of President Hugo Chávez Venezuela has been transformed by empowering the poorer and darker-skinned among its citizens, who had sometimes felt their country had been cursed, not blessed, by the crude oils and asphalts that have seeped up through the ground for centuries.

 

PDVSA, which has raked in up to $90bn a year in recent years, has been required by Chávez to divert part of its investment budget to social spending, including free health care staffed with 10,000 Cuban doctors, subsidised food and land reform.

 

PDVSA now owns around $100 billion in assets worldwide, including refineries in the United States, the Caribbean and Europe - see: Wikipedia entry for PDVSA

Red Oil is a media co-op international co production for More4 “True Stories” and Scottish Screen, produced by Aimara Reques and directed by Lucinda Broadbent.

 

Producers commentary: http://www.channel4.com/programmes/red-oil/articles/producer-and-director-perspectives

 

 

The University of Aberdeen is a charity registered in Scotland, No SC013683.

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[Peace for the World]

 

L.R.S invites you to:

 

 

 

 

True Documentary film about Israel’s attack on Gaza in Dec 2008

 

followed by debate

 

Wednesday 5^th May

 

7pm to 9pm@

Taylor C 11

 

 

 

Erased: Wipe off the Map(2009), a documentary film by Alberto Arce, about Israel’s operation ‘Cast Lead’ in Gaza, January 2009.

 

Alberto was one of the internationals who accompanied emergency workers in Palestinian ambulances during Israel’s attacks, known as Operation Cast Lead. You can see preview of 10m on: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aU1H-knuSw

ERASED: WIPED OFF THE MAP (55mins) A documentary on the bloodiest (last year’s) attack on Gaza. The film begins with the entry of the fifth Free Gaza Movement boat to make it to Gaza before covering the impact of the siege and harrowing events during the 22-day assault including attacks on Civil Defense centers, paramedics, children, and the UN HQ. the attack resulted in the killing of more than 1400 Palestinians people most of whom where women and children. It also resulted in the misplacement of half a million Palestinians. 13 Israeli soldiers were reported to be killed in this assault as well.

This will be followed by a discussion with International Law PhD Students from the L.R.S.

 

 

 

Points for Discussion:

 

State-Terrorism:  an unknown fact or an unaddressed issue.

 

Let us assume that the occupied Palestinians are 'terrorists' as Israel often claims. And let us accept the claim that Israel has done nothing wrong except occupying their lands and driving them out of their homes.  What can the Israeli assault during Charismas time 2008 on Gaza be called then?  Does the killing of chilled, bombardment of schools, mosques, civilians, hospitals amount to a terrorist act? If not, then surely there is something wrong with international law, some argue. If otherwise, why do not we  hear much about it even among the most well-versed International lawyers let alone politicians then? These points among others will be discussed after you will be given the chance to be an eye witness on the horrible war on Gaza 2008/2009.

Please be aware that the show will contain some sorrowing images.

Feel free to come along and share your views as L.R.S. will always be your floor to say what you think. If you have questions too, just come along with them and our expertise will all be ears.

 

With our best Regards,

[L.R.S. Team]

 

 

 

Legal Research Society
School of Law

University of Aberdeen
Taylor Building
Aberdeen 
AB24 3UB
Scotland

 

 

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