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The American Cinematheque • The Film Society of Lincoln Center The Paley Center For Media • The Mods & Rockers Film Festival proudly present 
Celebrating Three Decades of "MOCK 'n' Roll" for Amnesty |
"I saw The Secret Policeman's Ball and it became a part of me.
It sowed a seed..." - Bono
"I think everyone is in for a grave disappointment." - John Cleese
Los Angeles
Grauman's Egyptian Theatre The Paley Center for Media |
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New York
Film Society of Lincoln Center The Paley Center for Media |
25 Ultra-Rare Films & TV Specials!
50 Top Comedians!
50 Top Rock Stars!
Performing for the benefit of
Amnesty International
Films include performances by:
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Mockers!
John Cleese • Graham Chapman • Michael Palin • Terry Jones • Terry Gilliam • Neil Innes • Peter Cook • Dudley Moore • Eddie Izzard • Hugh Laurie • Rowan Atkinson • Billy Connolly • Stephen Fry • Dame Edna • Robbie Coltrane • Russell Brand • Dawn French • Jennifer Saunders • Jonathan Miller • Alan Bennett • Graham Norton • Eleanor Bron • Peter Ustinov • Steve Coogan • Alan Rickman • Richard E. Grant & many more! With Special American Guests: Chevy Chase • Jimmy Fallon • Seth Green • Sarah Silverman • Emo Phillips • Spinal Tap |
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... and Rockers!
The Police • U2 • Bruce Springsteen • Peter Gabriel • Sting • Pete Townshend • Eric Clapton • Jimmy Page • Jeff Beck • David Gilmour • Bono • Robert Plant • Phil Collins • Kate Bush • Jackson Browne • Joni Mitchell • Carlos Santana • Radiohead • Lou Reed • Sinead O'Connor • Bryan Adams • Bob Geldof • Steven Van Zandt • Donovan • Mark Knopfler • Dave Stewart • Joan Armatrading • Duran Duran • Tracy Chapman • Morrissey • Alanis Morissette • Yoko Ono • Seal • Joan Baez • Miles Davis & many more! |
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Messages From The Stars! Clips From The Movies! |
THE FESTIVAL
June 2009 is the 30th anniversary of the Amnesty International benefit show "The Secret Policeman's Ball" - co-created by Monty Python's John Cleese. It is the show that gave its name to the now legendary "Secret Policeman's Ball" series of benefit shows that have been presented over the past three decades in the UK for the benefit of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning human rights organization - Amnesty International.
The show was a pioneering landmark in galvanizing comedians and rock musicians to use their talents and influence as entertainers to raise funds and consciousness for human rights and other social and political causes.
Artists who cite the show as the starting point for their social activism include: Bono, Sting, Peter Gabriel and Bob Geldof.
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"I've been a member of Amnesty due to an entertainment event called 'The Secret Policeman's Ball' and before that I did not know about Amnesty, I did not know about its work, I did not know about torture in the world." - Sting
"The Secret Policeman's Ball is a mysterious and extraordinary event that certainly changed my life..." - Bono
- "The seed was planted at Amnesty for Bob Geldof. He saw what they were doing . He saw how entertainment could help that process and then he took the "Ball" and ran with it. Further than anybody could possibly imagine..." - Sting
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This first-ever retrospective of the "Secret Policeman's Ball" series will present rare versions of films, TV specials and documentaries that chronicled the shows. These will include the films of all the original shows - including two ultra-rare predecessor events that led directly to the first Ball. In many cases, the screenings will be of the original UK theatrical versions never released in the US - versions never available on VHS or DVD.
The festival will also screen the three most recent Balls - organized by Eddie Izzard who was personally selected by series co-creator John Cleese to carry on the "Secret Policeman's Ball" mantle in the 21st Century. In addition, the festival will present films of Amnesty USA's 1980s and 1990s music tours and concerts - several of which have not been seen in any medium for over 20 years and have never been released on VHS or DVD. The festival is presented by The American Cinematheque, The Film Center of Lincoln Center, The Paley Center for Media (formerly the Museum of Television & Radio) and the Hollywood-based Mods & Rockers Film Festival (established in 1999.) The festival is curated and produced by "Secret Policeman's Ball" series co-creator Martin Lewis - who co-produced the first four shows, produced multiple films, TV specials and albums of the shows - and co-conceived Amnesty's 1988 "Human Rights Now!" world tour. |
 New Balls Chief (Eddie Izzard) and Old Balls Chief (John Cleese) |
To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the "Secret Policeman's Ball" series - Amnesty International has released a new DVD box-set in the USA featuring five of the first six shows - together with a 2004 documentary about the series - and a wealth of rarities and extras. The 3-disc set is titled "The Secret Policeman's Balls". It also features introductions and audio commentaries by series co-creator/producer Martin Lewis - who was commissioned by Amnesty to executive-produce the new release.
"'The Secret Policeman's Other Ball' is undoubtedly the most depraved, corrupt, scandalous, odious, rank, foul, filthy, lewd, vile, rotten, sordid, tasteless movie since 'The Sound Of Music'..." - The Oral Majority
shows and movies - you will absolutely detest:
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ALL OF THE PERFORMERS GAVE THEIR SERVICES FREE OF CHARGE TO BENEFIT AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL |
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Click here to learn more about Amnesty International
Films Alphabetically | Comedic Performers | Rock Musicians
The "Secret Policeman's Ball" title and the "Secret Policeman" cartoon characters
are registered trademarks of Amnesty International - British Section
This Website © 2009 Springtime!
are registered trademarks of Amnesty International - British Section
This Website © 2009 Springtime!