Hello,
I am an activist and documentary filmmaker. This is my first diary at Daily Kos.
About a month after the birth of Occupy Wall Street I released a film entitled Rise Like Lions, after Shelley's poem, The Mask of Anarchy. The poem ends -
'Rise like Lions after slumber
In unvanquishable number -
Shake your chains to earth like dew
Which in sleep had fallen on you -
Ye are many - they are few.'
Now that Occupy is entering its next phase, I thought I would post the film on some of the more popular progressive websites.
This is not really a documentary per se, but a compilation made up mostly of footage uploaded to the web during Occupy. It is strictly non-profit. Most of the credit belongs to the filmmakers on the ground.
Lions begins with the first test-run of Occupy Wall Street and ends with the rally after the main eviction from Zuccotti park. I also include footage from other Occupy locations around the United States, as well related movements around the world. The film was designed both as an introduction to Occupy and as an inspirational piece for activists already participating.
Here is the link -
According to emails I've received, Rise Like Lions has been screened at quite a few Occupy locations around the world, including Amsterdam, London, Auckland, Toronto, Detroit, Austin and San Francisco. It also took the #1 spot at Films for Action's top ten Occupy Films. If you'll allow me a little self-promotion, I've included some quotes about the film below in the hopes it will increase viewer-ship. Thanks.
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"Rise Like Lions takes the people, actions, and words from the camps and streets of Occupy Wall Street and provides a radical, compelling and inspiring account of what the movement is about. Watch it. Share it. Do it!"
Ron Jacobs
Journalist, Author The Co-Conspirator’s Tale
"Beautifully captures the unfolding essence and growing possibilities of the OWS movement"
Phil Rockstroh
Poet
"A powerful documentary capturing the Occupy movement’s humble origins, rise to prominence and current global context. A must-see for both those active within the movement and those perhaps still curious as to just what Occupy is all about."
Ben Shreiner
Activist, Author Class Struggle on the Waterfront
"Inspiring!"
Ronnie Cummins
Fmr campaign director, Foundation on Economic Trends
"A treatise to the beautiful awakening of human heart that has arisen in the American people, capturing the imagination and dreams of a new generation's struggle to create a better world."
Tim Hjersted
Films For Action