What happens when an undocumented Mexican family seeks church asylum at an Afro-American parish in Philadelphia’s poorest part of town? The church and the soup kitchen have roots dating back to the Black Panther movement in the 1960s, and describe themselves as an activist congregation. When Carmela Hernandez and her children request asylum, Pastor Renee McKenzie risks five years in prison for giving them shelter, but she is never in doubt.

Those who resort to civil disobedience set their own moral convictions above the law. Such non-violent acts can be considered a test of freedom of expression and, in the best case, they can contribute to positive change.

After the screening, we will meet Pastor Renee McKenzie, one of the film’s main characters, in conversation with philosopher and director of the film Petr Lom, producer Corinne van Egeraat and moderator Marion Grau, a theologian and professor at the MF Norwegian School of Theology, Religion and Society.

The event will take place in English. Tickets: vegascene.no

The HUMAN International Documentary Film Festival is Oslo’s largest documentary film festival. Organised from 24 February – 1 March at Vega Scene, Cinemateket, the Khartoum bar and the Kunstplass art centre.

The Fritt Ord Foundation is a private non-profit foundation that is intended to protect and promote freedom of expression, public debate, art and culture.