A Portrait of Activism: “How to Survive a Plague”
Individual activism matters. Coalesced into group action—it is mighty.
Category: Film Reviews
The Artist as Dissident — “Ai WeiWei: Never Sorry”
Ai Weiwei learned early on about politics and art through the experience of his father Ai Qing, a renowned poet who was imprisoned by Chiang Kai-shek.
“The Invisible War” — Documentary Spotlighting Rape in the Military Aims to Create National Awareness
Would anybody enlist if they knew a court ruling had put forth, “Rape is an occupational hazard of military service.”
“The Koch Brothers Exposed” – A Conversation with Robert Greenwald
In his new film, “The Koch Brothers Exposed,” director Robert Greenwald examines the pervasive influence of David and Charles Koch on the American fabric of life.
Harry Belafonte: Artist and Activist Still on the March
Belafonte said, “Artists have power, the largest power in the universe. The artist is a supreme being, and art is to define our humanity, to encourage.”
“The Dancing Boys Of Afghanistan” — Examining Sexual Abuse
I believe that the central issue is one of power. These men who abuse little boys clearly enjoy the feeling of absolute power they have over them.
Ordinary Citizens Fight Big Coal In “The Last Mountain”
The documentary makes it clear that the people pushing back are up against very heavy hitters. This includes representatives from both political parties, lobbyists for varied interests, as well as the coal industry.
“Women, War & Peace” – Documentary Filmmaking as Activism
“Women, War & Peace” illustrates the power of women to challenge the male-dominated structure of the peacemaking process, formulating their own version of pushback.
Using the 9/11 Documentary “Rebirth” To Repair Lives
A consistent theme is the ambivalence of being caught between the desire to move forward and a need to stay connected to the past.
“Semper Fi: Always Faithful” — Documenting a Fight for Environmental Justice
At a time when the Environmental Protection Agency is coming under attack for “over-regulation,” the film stands as a testimony to what happens when the public’s health is neither protected nor considered.
