Behind Closed Doors
dir Michael Oswald, Murtaza Mehdi – UK/Global, 2023 – 64 mins
Behind Closed Doors investigates financial secrecy and illicit wealth affairs in three developing nations and their relationship with the City of London. For decades three political dynasties – The Kenyatta’s of Kenya, the Aliyev’s of Azerbaijan and the Sharif’s of Pakistan have been at the heart of power in their respective countries and have during that time grown fabulously wealthy. All three families have made use of offshore financial secrecy to invest in London property. But what happens when a developing country fights back and attempts to get Britain to return the money that it claims has been stolen?
Director Michael Oswald says: “Tragically, the journalist Arshad Sharif, who featured in our documentary, was assassinated in 2022, and like so many anti-corruption campaigners around the world, other protagonists in the film have been subjected to threats, imprisonment, exile and attempted assassination. Through this screening at IACC, we can highlight the circumstances of the unique individuals who have fought tirelessly against corruption, and, after the screening, discuss how as a community we can address the challenges of tackling the complexity and violence of corruption and international money laundering.”
View Trailer
F4T Theatre Friday 21st 11:00 – 13:00 Screening and post show discussion with Michael Oswald – Director Behind Closed Doors, and Shazad Akbar – Chief Liaison Officer International Law with the Bertha Foundation and Former Advisor to Prime Minister in Pakistan on Accountability and Interior.
Speakers:
Michael Oswald – Director Behind Closed Doors
Shazad Akbar – Chief Liaison Officer International Law with the Bertha Foundation, UK and Former Advisor to Prime Minister in Pakistan on Accountability and Interior
Emin Huseynov – journalist, Institute for Reporters Freedom & Safety, Switzerland
Daniel Bruce (Moderator) – Chief Executive, Transparency International, UK