PAST EVENTS
Freedom on Fire Screening
Freedom on Fire depicts the harsh truth of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The film explores the resilience of the Ukrainians while sharing the views and insights of the Ukrainians about the ongoing conflict in their country.
Freedom Under Fire
Exclusive Screening, Discussion,
and Members-Only Reception
Tuesday, November 29th, 2022, 6:00-8:00 pm ET
Cinema Village, 22 E. 12th St, New York, NY 10003
Acclaimed director Evgeny Afineevsky has been on the ground covering the conflict in Ukraine, finding the best and worst humanity has to offer during this war that has rocked Europe. The Common Good is honored to present an exclusive screening of the groundbreaking Freedom Under Fire documentary at New York’s iconic Village Cinema followed by a post-screening discussion with the director.
Members of the Common Good are invited to attend an exclusive reception hosted by Julia Haart after the event.
About the Film and its Director:
Freedom on Fire: Ukraine’s Fight for Freedom had its world premiere at the 79th Venice International Film Festival, where it was recognized with the Kineo Award, It was selected for screenings at film festivals around the world, and has received numerous awards and honors, including at the Hamptons International Film Festival, where it was awarded the Brizzolara Family Foundation Award for Films of Conflict & Resolution.
Born in Russia, the director, Evgeny Afineevsky, is an Israeli-American film director, producer and cinematographer who is Oscar and Emmy nominated for his documentary Winter on Fire. He has filmed extensively in conflict zones in Ukraine and Syria, creating moving documentaries about the human toll and the political manipulations that fuel these conflicts. Afineevsky built his filmmaking career on providing a first-hand account of conflict, even if it means putting his own life in danger. Afineevsky's tenacity in his storytelling ultimately attracted the unwanted attention of Russian intelligence agents, who continue to track him and his work. Come meet him at our exclusive screening November 29th.
Born in Russia, the director, Evgeny Afineevsky, is an Israeli-American film director, producer and cinematographer who is Oscar and Emmy nominated for his documentary Winter on Fire. He has filmed extensively in conflict zones in Ukraine and Syria, creating moving documentaries about the human toll and the political manipulations that fuel these conflicts. Afineevsky built his filmmaking career on providing a first-hand account of conflict, even if it means putting his own life in danger. Afineevsky's tenacity in his storytelling ultimately attracted the unwanted attention of Russian intelligence agents, who continue to track him and his work. Come meet him at our exclusive screening November 29th.
"Longest War - How Do We End It?" with Ret. Col. Christopher Kolenda & Secretary Jeh Johnson
For Nearly two decades America has been in war with Afghanistan. The Common Good was joined by Ret. Colonel Chris Kolenda, the man who pioneered a new approach to counterinsurgency, led soldiers in successful battles against the Taliban and was later hand picked by the US government to be involved in early talks with the Taliban. We covered the impact of the war, how it can be ended, and recent events with our military that have made headlines. Moderated by former Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson.
For Nearly two decades America has been in war with Afghanistan. The Common Good was joined by Ret. Colonel Chris Kolenda, the man who pioneered a new approach to counterinsurgency, led soldiers in successful battles against the Taliban and was later hand picked by the US government to be involved in early talks with the Taliban. We covered the impact of the war, how it can be ended, and recent events with our military that have made headlines. Moderated by former Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson.
Watch the video below:
Ret. Colonel Christopher Kolenda recently served as the Senior Advisor on Afghanistan and Pakistan to Under Secretary of Defense Michèle Flournoy, and three 4* Generals in Afghanistan. He was decorated with the Department of Defense’s highest civilian award for his work on strategy. In 2007-08, he commanded an 800-solider task force in Kunar and Nuristan provinces where he pioneered an innovative approach to counterinsurgency in one of the most violent areas of the country. His unit is the only one in the history of the war to have motivated a large insurgent group to stop fighting and join the government. His advice has been adopted by three Secretaries of Defense and the President of the United States. He was selected to be the Secretary of Defense’s representative in exploratory talks with the Taliban from 2010-2013. He is the only American to have fought the Taliban in combat and engaged them in high-level diplomacy.
He is the founder of the Strategic Leaders Academy, which helps nonprofits and small businesses maximize their impact by developing their Leadership, Culture, and Strategy. He is the editor and coauthor of Leadership: The Warrior's Art, which has appeared on the professional reading lists of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines. His most recent book, The Counterinsurgency Challenge, maps the journey of a leader in a difficult and dangerous conflict.
Secretary Jeh Johnson was appointed by President Obama on December 23, 2013, following confirmation by the U.S. Senate by a vote of 78-16. Between 2013 and 2017 he served as Secretary of Homeland Security. Previously, Secretary Johnson was appointed by President Obama to be General Counsel of the Department of Defense from 2009 through 2012. In that position, Johnson was one of the legal architects for the U.S. military’s counter terrorism mission during President Obama’s first term.
In 2010, Johnson co-authored a 250-page report that paved the way for the repeal by Congress of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell law that prohibited gays from serving openly in the U.S. military. From October 1998 to January 2001, Johnson served in the Clinton Administration as General Counsel of the Department of the Air Force. From 1989 through 1991, Secretary Johnson was an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York, where he prosecuted public corruption cases.
The C.I.A. and America's Secret Wars in Afghanistan and Pakistan: Steve Coll
The Common Good was pleased to present a special discussion with the inestimable Steve Coll. Coll briefed us on America’s covert involvement in Afghanistan and Pakistan and its impact on our intervention there, as detailed in his recent New York Times best seller, Directorate S: The C.I.A. and America’s Secret Wars in Afghanistan and Pakistan
The Common Good was pleased to present a special discussion with Steve Coll, Pulitzer Price-winning journalist, Dean of Columbia School of Journalism, and staff writer at The New Yorker, generously hosted by Rubén Kraiem, Partner, Covington & Burling. Coll briefed us on America’s covert involvement in Afghanistan and Pakistan and its impact on our intervention there, as detailed in his recent New York Times best seller, Directorate S: The C.I.A. and America’s Secret Wars in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
listen:
WATCH:
Coll knows the true story of this regional conflict — how our own intelligence and military services have often been at odds with each other, the nature of Pakistan’s often duplicitous relationship with the US, as seen in efforts by Pakistan’s spy agency, ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence), and their covert support for the Taliban and Al Qaeda. Coll’s analysis of these covert operations is extremely timely as we remain enmeshed in the region.
“The dance of blame, with the US swaying at one moment towards Pakistan and the next towards Afghanistan, is a choreography familiar to CIA chiefs, US presidents and writers who have tackled the subject. Coll refuses to follow this tired tune, and the result is masterful”
Steve Coll was appointed Dean of Columbia Journalism School in 2013 after serving as president of New America Foundation (2007-2012. He joined The New Yorker as a staff writer in 2005 and continues to write for the publication on politics, national security, and the media. Coll is also the author of eight nonfiction books, a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, and a former reporter, foreign correspondent and senior editor at the Washington Post (1985-2005).
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Screening and Discussion with: Robert Greenwald and Jim Miller
The Common Good was proud to present a special screening of Robert Greenwald’s new documentary Rethink Afghanistan
The Common Good was proud to present a special screening of Robert Greenwald’s new documentary Rethink Afghanistan about the US military presence in Afghanistan following the September 11th attacks. Jim Miller, the Executive Director of Brave New Films joins Greenwald in discussion of the film.
Robert Greenwald is the president of Brave New Foundation as well as being a producer, director and political activist. Greenwald is the director/producer of several documentaries: “Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers” (2006), “Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price” (2005), and “Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch’s War of Journalism” (2004). He also executive produced a trilogy of political documentaries: “Unprecedented: The 2000 Presidential Election” (2002); “Uncovered: The Iraq War” (2003), which Greenwald also directed; and “Unconstitutional” (2004). His films have garnered 25 EMMY Award nominations, four Cable ACE awards nomination, two Golden Globes, the Peabody Award, the Robert Wood Johnson Award and eight awards of excellence from the Film Advisory Board. In 2002 Greenwald was awarded the 2002 Producer of the Year Award by the American Film Institute.
Jim Miller is the Executive Director for Brave New Foundation. He joined the company when the Foundation was initially formed by putting together the coalition of over 100 groups (including Amnesty International, MoveOn True Majority, and Voters For Peace) to push their unique system of distributuion and house screenings for Iraq For Sale. Since then Jim has strengthened their distribution coalition so that their short videos now get 1.5 million views per month. His film experience began over 20 years ago working on the film Bull Durham and includes being the Director of Development for The Shooting Gallery, an independent film company which produced ‘Sling Blade’ and ‘You Can Count on Me’, and Head of Acquisitions for Cinema Park Distribution.
Interested in attending future events?
The Common Good has been hosting events since 2006 that cover important issues of today, highlighting speakers who have worked to bolster our democracy and can provide great insight on the issues that matter.