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Apology of an Economic Hit Man — A film adaptation of John Perkins' book Confessions of an Economic Hitman, which caused an international uproar by confirming what critics have long suspected: The West uses economic aid to mire poor countries in permanent debt and force them to acquiesce to the interests of multinational corporations. Interspersing re-enactments of Perkins' nefarious career with footage of his public apology for helping the U.S. to undermine (and possibly assassinate) Ecuador's populist president, the film chronicles Washington's use of this aid strategy in Panama, Saudi Arabia, and elsewhere around the world — most recently in Iraq (Greece, 2008, 93 min.) Black Wave — For 20 years, toxicologist Riki Ott and other residents of Cordova, Alaska have waged the longest legal battle in U.S. history against the world’s most powerful oil company, ExxonMobil, in an effort to win compensation for the worst industrial disaster in American history: the Exxon Valdez spill in Prince William Sound. (Canada, 2008, 99m)  Blue Gold: World Water Wars — As giant corporations seek to privatize our finite and dwindling water supply, a basic human necessity is being transformed into a for- profit commodity. The increasing competition for control over water has already led to violent domestic conflicts: i.e., the world's first "water wars". (USA, 2008, 94 mins). Killer at Large — With many health experts saying that the epidemic of obesity could make this generation the first with a shorter life expectancy than their parents, this film points a finger squarely at the corporate-driven shift to industrial agriculture, and marketing campaigns that encourage Americans to over-consume a diet of cheap, high-calorie processed food. (USA, 2008, 105 minutes) RIP: A Remix Manifesto — An exploration of copyrights in the Information Age, as technology shatters the traditional wall between producers and consumers. The protagonist is a "mash-up" musician known as Girl Talk who performs by chopping up and re-assembling other people's songs. The film itself is a mash-up, as director Brett Gaylor made his raw footage available for anyone to remix. This partici- patory media experiment sounds an urgent alarm to save culture and creative expression (USA, 2008, 86 minutes). Friday, May 29, at 9:15pm. Purchase advance tickets now Sweet Crude — The West Coast premiere of the first full- length film about Big Oil's devestation of the environment and people of Nigeria's Niger Delta region, and the efforts by local residents to have their grievances addressed. The screening coincides with the start of a civil trial in New York against Shell Oil and one of its executives, for their roles in the torture and killing of Nigerians protesting oil operations. Director Sandy Cioffi will be in attendance for a discussion about her experiences making the film — including being detained by Nigerian security forces for seven days — and recent military operations in the filming area. (USA, 2009, 92 mins). Co-presented by Justice in Nigeria Now (JINN). Thurs., May 28, at 7:00pm. Purchase advance tickets now Opening Night Reception at the SF Media Archive The Anti-Corporate Film Festival's first opening night party kicks off on Thursday, May 28, at 8:30pm with beer, wine, and farm-fresh organic treats from chef Ellen Roggeman: - Various flavored popcorns such as maple and fried sage - Paprika-rubbed potato wedges with a chive-clove sauce - Balls of brown rice stuffed with fennel-turnip puree - Ginger-roasted peaches, drizzled with lemon yogurt dip - Thyme focaccia with fava beans, kale, and strawberries The SF Media Archive is a working film repository located in a funky second-floor warehouse that includes a bar and screening area, two blocks from the Victoria Theatre (see map below). It also serves as the home of Oddball Films. Reception tickets are $10 (including food and two drinks) 
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