A Better Man Doc and Talk | 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence Event

Over 20 years ago, Attiya Khan was in an abusive relationship with her then-boyfriend Steve. Today, she’s a prominent feminist who has worked for women’s shelters across the U.S. and Canada. Khan and co-director Lawrence Jackman teamed up to create a unique documentary that aims to evolve the conversation around intimate partner violence.

A Better Man illuminates a unique paradigm for domestic violence prevention and offers a fresh and nuanced look at the healing and revelation that can follow from men taking responsibility for abuse. It also offers opportunities for audience members to play new roles in challenging domestic violence, whether it’s in their own relationships or as part of a broader movement for social change.

Among the 2017 Hot Docs Festival’s most emotionally stunning films, A Better Man takes a brave and open-minded approach to processing trauma and healing associated with intimate partner violence.

Join One World Arts, the Human Rights Research and Education Centre, the Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic, Oxfam Canada, Hot Docs, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, and community partners for a one-time-only screening of A Better Man and a talk, moderated by Oxfam Canada Executive Director Julie Delahanty, with Matt Schaaf, Coordinator of the I Can MANifest Change project at OCTEVAW, Jeff Bondy, Program Facilitator at the New Directions Program at CFS Ottawa, and and Karoline Kemp, Program Officer – Creating Spaces to Take Action on Violence Against Women and Girls at Oxfam Canada, presented in partnership with Hot Docs and the Ontario Trillium Foundation on December 2 at 1PM (doors at 12:30PM) at the University of Ottawa, room FTX302 in Fauteux Hall (57 Louis-Pasteur Private). The event is free/by donation, with the proceeds going toward covering event costs and supporting organizations addressing and taking action on gender based, intimate partner, and sexual violence. Join, like and share the Facebook event here.

Please note that an RSVP is recommended but not required to attend this free event and that seating will be available on a first come first serve basis. Please arrive early, as seating is limited. Click here to confirm your attendance via Eventbrite. Doors for the event will open at 12:30PM.

In addition to the aforementioned partners, One World Arts is grateful for the support of Jessica Ruano (Creator and Director of The Ghomeshi Effect), the Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre, OCTEVAW, and the National Film Board of Canada in organizing the December 2 screening of A Better Man and post-film discussion.

One World Arts acknowledges that this event will take place on the unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishnaabeg people.

Trigger Warning/Content Warning (TW/CW): A Better Man addresses intimate partner violence and includes explicit descriptions of abuse. Viewer discretion is advised.

A counselor will be present during the event to provide information and support to audience members. If you have any concerns or would like to know more about the film and the event, please feel free to contact event organizers at oneworldfilmfestival@oneworldarts.ca.

This special presentation is part of the Hot Docs Ottawa Showcase, a series of documentary screenings presented in partnership with the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival and the Ontario Trillium Foundation in Ottawa in 2017. Please also join us on December 13 at Gallery 101 for the final two screenings in the series: The Road Forward and Birth of a Family. For more information on this event, visit: oneworldarts.ca/hotdocs-dec13/

One World Arts’ and partners’ A Better Man screening and talk is also one of a number of events taking place as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence (November 25 to December 10) in Ottawa.

In Canada, Women In International Security Canada (WIIS-Canada) and its partners are leading the effort to create a national campaign with the goal to promote a nation-wide series of events and activities under the theme “From Peace in the Home to Peace in the World: Make Education Safe for All.” A launch event will be held on November 25th at City Hall (110 Laurier Avenue West) in Ottawa at starting at 5PM in Jean Pigot Hall, featuring an announcement by Mayor Jim Watson, remarks from guest speakers and entertainment.

Also of interest, on November 22 OCTEVAW will be hosting a discussion on the ways in which male allies can hold other men accountable when they cause harm (e.g. sexual harassment, sexual assault or partner abuse). Expect an interactive evening with resource people from Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre and New Directions. Male Allies: Holding Men Accountable will take place from 7PM to 9PM at the Sandy Hill Community Centre (250 Somerset St. East) in Ottawa. Find out more and join the Facebook event here.

Additional Information and Resources

A Better Man
Official site: https://abettermanfilm.com/
Official trailer: https://youtu.be/SDm2-4e69H0
Press kit: http://mediaspace.nfb.ca/epk/a-better-man/
Resources: https://abettermanfilm.com/resources/

16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence
Official site: http://16dayscwgl.rutgers.edu/

One World Arts – One World Film Festival
http://oneworldfilmfestival.ca/
https://www.facebook.com/oneworldfilm/

Human Rights Research and Education Centre
https://cdp-hrc.uottawa.ca/

Barbra Schlifer Commemorative Clinic
http://schliferclinic.com/

OCTEVAW (Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women)
http://www.octevaw-cocvff.ca/
Resources for persons who need support: http://www.octevaw-cocvff.ca/crisis-resources

I Can MANifest Change
http://www.manifestchange.ca/

Oxfam Canada
https://www.oxfam.ca/

The Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre
http://www.orcc.net/

The Ghomeshi Effect
https://theghomeshieffect.com/

Hot Docs
https://www.hotdocs.ca/