Take Back Democracy Film Festival

October 1

"What America Needs: From Sea to Shining Sea" (2002, 93 minutes)

Directed and Produced by Mark Wojahn

Traveling by train from N.Y.C. to Los Angeles post 9/11, a documentary filmmaker asks more than 500 people from different communities across America "What Do You Think America Needs?" The sincerity and thoughtfulness with which people responded makes this film a thought-provoking look at who Americans are and what they instinctively know. Collectively, their answers relate an unexpected story of hope.

October 8

"Trouble in Paradise" (2003, 73 minutes)

Directed and Produced by Laurel Greenberg

This documentary presents the real-life drama of Election 2000 and 2002 within the chaotic landscape of Florida politics. It follows a diverse group of Floridians who, compelled by a sense of civic responsibility after the debacle of 2000, become centrally involved in political issues. They volunteer on campaigns, run for office and sue the state, all while revisiting the unanswered questions of the historic election which changed their lives.

October 15

"Shocking and Awful: A Grassroots response to the War in Iraq" (2004, 30 min.each)

Produced by Deep Dish TV Network

This series is compiled from independent footage shot from many locations in the U.S. and around the world: "Erasing Memory" The cultural destruction of Iraq and "Channels of War" The Media is the Military

October 22

"Point of Attack" (2004, 46 minutes)

Directed and Produced by Kathleen Foster

This documentary chronicles the post 9/11 racial profiling, large scale round-ups, detentions and mass deportations of Arab, Muslim and South Asian men as part of the 'War on Terrorism'. The film frames the plight of these immigrant communities within the broader context of the U.S. government's 'other war' against civil liberties being waged via the USA Patriot Act.

AND

"Independent Media In A Time of War" (2003, 29 minutes) Produced by Hudson Mohawk Independent Media Center

Part scathing critique, part call to action, this documentary argues that dialogue is vital to a healthy democracy. Independent media has a crucial responsibility to go where the silence is, according to narrator Amy Goodman, host of Pacifica Radio's "Democracy Now". She makes a compelling argument that the news media failed to represent the true face of war, and criticizes the phenomenon of "embedded reporters", which resulted in a pro-military bias in the U.S. media, stifling the voices of independent reporters in Iraq.

October 29

"Before You Don’t Vote…" (2003, 24 min)

Directed and Produced by Larry Litt and Eleanor Heartney

Interviews with over 50 voters in New York and Palm Beach who discuss politics, current affairs and the importance of voting in the U.S. From widely diverse backgrounds, they comment on our democracy's past, present and future and offer realistic advice about why we should participate even though politics and politicians are not what we want them to be.

AND

"A Night Of Ferocious Joy " (2004, 60 min) w/ special guest filmmaker David Zeiger

On May 12, 2002, before an audience of 1,800 people in the legendary Palace theater in Los Angeles, a disparate group of hip hop, latin funk, spoken word and visual artists created the first anti-war concert in the new millennium called ArtSpeaks! Not in Our Name. This concert film captures the energy and feel of what happened that night. Featuring: Ozomatli, The Coup, Blackalicious, Dilated Peoples, Mystic, Saul Williams, The Pan Afrikan People's Arkestra, Jerry Quickley, and Hassan Hakmoun.



No film on September 24th.

I'm taking suggestions for a good comic relief film for November 5th (3 days after you know what)

Northeast Neighbors for Peace and Justice Video/Potlucks almost every Friday,

Gather about 8:00, movie starts about 8:30, bring food or drink to share if you can.

Flor y Canto Community Space & Bookstore, 3706 N. Figueroa, in Highland Park between Marmion Way and Ave. 37, 3 blocks from Gold Line Heritage Square Station (323)276-1148 www.FloryCanto.org