DAUK Film Night: The Case Against 8

Join us at the DAUK Film Screening and Discussion of The Case Against 8, June 23, 2015

NB: Venue has changed: check address below.

The DAUK Film Committee, in collaboration with the DAUK LGBT Caucus, invites you to a screening and discussion of the award-winning documentary The Case Against 8.

This compelling documentary tracks the five-year legal battle to overturn California's ban on same-sex marriage. It is absorbing and illuminating viewing for all those interested in LGBT, civil rights, and constitutional issues. Viewed more broadly it provides an insight into how our judicial system actually works.

The after-screening discussion will be led by Robert Ravelli, Vice-Chair of DAUK and Chair of the DAUK LGBT Caucus.

Speaker:
Brandon Perlberg is a lawyer and consultant who grew up in California before moving to New York where he lived, studied and worked for 15 years. He relocated to London in January 2012, following several years of unsuccessful attempts to obtain permanent residency for his long term same-sex British partner. He recently naturalised as a British citizen. Following their departure from the USA, they worked to share their story with multiple national media outlets, resulting in heightened public awareness of the immigration-related impact of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

DAUK Film Night
Date: Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Time: 7:00 - 9:40 pm
Place: London School of Economics
KSW 1.04, 20 Kingsway
WC2B 6LH (entrance on Portugal Street oppositive Peacock Theatre),
Map for LSE location; LSE campus map

Schedule:
6:30 PM : Doors open
7:00 PM : Introduction
7:10 PM : The Case Against 8 (112 minutes)
9:00 PM : Discussion/Q&A
9:40 PM : Discussion ends
Please join us afterwards at the Old Bank of England Pub, 194 Fleet Street, EC4A 2LT.

More details about the film:
In a review in The Hollywood Reporter, David Rooney points out that at the heart of the film is "one of the most widely discussed and divisive cases in recent history, and its reverberations continue".

Rooney continues: "Co-directors Ben Cotner and Ryan White distil the dense legal process into a lucid narrative while illuminating the human drama of the plaintiffs, and by extension, the countless gay men and lesbians they represent. That makes for a stirring civil rights film that is both cogent and emotionally charged.”

While we await the latest Supreme Court ruling, The Case Against 8 provides an absorbing insight into the process of constructing an effective legal strategy and arguments, from the selection of plaintiffs through arguments at the Supreme Court, as Rooney notes:

"…the rollercoaster legal odyssey provides an uplifting demonstration of functioning bi-partisanship, something exceedingly rare in American politics.

"The leading conservative lawyer Ted Olsen shocked right-wing pundits by agreeing to represent the California plaintiffs. Even more startling was Olson's decision to reach across the aisle and bring on board his liberal counterpart, David Boies, as co-counsel. That the two men had been on opposite sides of the Bush v. Gore case in 2000 would team up to champion the rights of gay men and lesbians still seems almost surreal."

More generally, Rooney says, "Some of the twists in the trial are so vividly discussed that we have the illusion of being there, yielding fascinating insights into the justice system and the constitutional rights of all Americans."

He adds, "…the film strives to be as even-handed as possible. Cameras linger just long enough to register anti-gay protesters; anonymous phone calls spewing hate rhetoric are heard. But the directors are careful not to milk the ugliness surrounding the case for melodrama. A decision appears to have been made to keep this very much a positive story of unwavering commitment and ultimate victory."

To view the trailer, link to more reviews and information about the issues covered, go to http://www.daukpan.org.uk/FilmCaseAgainst8

Special notices:

In compliance with US campaign and party funding laws, we can only accept payments from US citizens and green card holders. Non-US citizens are very welcome to attend, but only as guests of US citizens who must book and pay for—as a gift—their guests' admission. By booking and paying for tickets for this event, you are confirming that you are a US citizen or green card holder. You must tick a box affirming this before completing your purchase.

If you are unable for any reason to book online using this website, please email us with your request. Advance bookings will only be taken until 14:00 on the day of the screening, but tickets are sometimes available on the door.

Ticket purchases are final and refunds/exchanges are normally not available.

The Film Committee needs volunteers to help with a range of tasks, for example, getting permissions to screen films, help in writing announcements, help with our film database, front of house arrangements, and graphic design for Briefing Notes. Please speak to us at the film or email us.

This event is CLOSED to the press.