Two boyhood friends from Midland, Texas -- David McKay and Bradley Crowder -- fall under the sway of a charismatic revolutionary ten years their senior. At the volatile 2008 Republican Convention the "Texas Two" cross a line that radically changes their lives. The result: eight homemade bombs, multiple domestic terrorism charges and a high stakes entrapment defense hinging on the actions of a controversial FBI informant. A dramatic story of idealism, loyalty, crime and betrayal, BETTER THIS WORLD goes to the heart of the War on Terror and its impact on civil liberties and political dissent in post-9/11 America.
NEW G20 DOCUMENTARY! Democracy 101 A look at the Pittsburgh G20 protests from the makers of "Terrorizing Dissent" Indymedia, October 3rd, 2009 Made in Pittsburgh within five days of the G20 summit by a team from Pittsburgh Indymedia, Twin Cities Indymedia, Chicago Indymedia, Glassbead Collective, and Mobile Broadcast News, a new documentary: "Democracy 101 (Rough Cut)". Democracy 101 is a look at the policing and pattern of issues that arise during National Special Security Events. Made with footage from the recent repression of dissent in Pittsburgh, salvaged from the broken cameras, stolen video and arrested reporters, and independent journalists from around the country. [Read more]
"Conventional Wisdom: Reflections on the 2008 RNC Protests" (45 minutes, 2009) Oberlin RNC Investigation Team, Independent Source, May 28th, 2009 This documentary examines protests at the 2008 Republican National Convention, largely focusing on law enforcement's reaction to and treatment of protestors and organizers during the Convention. Drawing upon interviews from activists, lawyers, street medics, and law enforcement, among others, Conventional Wisdom is a reflection on what happened at the RNC and, more importantly, why. Researched and produced by the Oberlin RNC Investigation Team. Includes interview segments with Luce, Max and Garrett (members of the "RNC 8"), David Bicking (activist and father of RNC 8 member Monica Bicking), Cheri Honkala (Poor People's Economic Human Rights Campaign), street medics, RNC 8 lawyers, and Nigel Parry (RNC '08 Report creator). [Read more]
Trailer for "Unconvention: A Mix-Tape from St. Paul" Director: Chris Strouth, Independent Source, April 11th, 2009
The film is as much about media as it is the convention itself using work from a number of sources cut together in seamless remix. pieces from major news organizations blend with citizen journalists, protesters, reporters, and plain old citizens. Made in an 8 week period; this is a pop abstract expressionist unbiased view of very biased process. [Read more]
"Outside the RNC" (60 minutes, 2008) A special one hour premiere of the Microscopic Life documentary series Lbs. Productions, LLC, Independent Source, November 1st, 2008 Explores two groups of demonstrators outside the Republican National Convention in Saint Paul, Minnesota. One is Veterans For Peace, an anti-war group that marched in protest of the Iraq war. The other is a counter protest group organized by conservative blogger Joe Repya. Featured bands in this episode: My New Mixtape, Virginia Coalition, and Snakebeard Jackson (all music licensed for use by Lbs. Productions, LLC). Microscopic Life is the new documentary series from Terry Pounds focusing on people and groups doing amazing things in their own back yard. [Read more]
"Terrorizing Dissent: Election Cut", Part 1 (35 minutes, 2008) September 1st: "The Battle of St Paul" Glass Bead Collective, October 29th, 2008 35 minutes. On Tuesday, October 28, Glass Bead Collective, Twin Cities Indymedia, and other independent media activists released a new film, "Terrorizing Dissent: Election Cut," an expose of events at the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota. Featuring first-person accounts and footage from more than forty cameras on the streets, "Terrorizing Dissent" focuses on the story of dissent suppressed. People charged with "conspiracy to riot in furtherance of terrorism" speak out against the government's campaign to manipulate media coverage and label civil disobedience and community organizing as terrorism. This first part of the documentary deals with events on Day 1. [Read more]
"Terrorizing Dissent: Election Cut", Part 2 (35 minutes, 2008) September 2nd: "The Gassing in St. Paul" Glass Bead Collective, October 29th, 2008 35 minutes. On Tuesday, October 28, Glass Bead Collective, Twin Cities Indymedia, and other independent media activists released a new film, "Terrorizing Dissent: Election Cut," an expose of events at the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota. This is part 2 of the documentary, and looks at police harassment of the September 2nd Poor People's Campaign for Economic and Human Rights rally and march, concluding with the gassing of a peaceful protest outside the iconic Mickey's Diner in Downtown St. Paul. [Read more]
"Terrorizing Dissent: Election Cut", Part 3 (38 minutes, 2008) September 3rd: "Terrorizing Dissent" Glass Bead Collective, October 29th, 2008 38 minutes. On Tuesday, October 28, Glass Bead Collective, Twin Cities Indymedia, and other independent media activists released a new film, "Terrorizing Dissent: Election Cut," an expose of events at the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota. This is part 3 of the documentary and includes interviews with the "RNC 8", eight members of the anarchist/anti-authoritarian group the RNC Welcoming Committee who have been charged with "conspiracy to riot in furtherance of terrorism" under Minnesota's Patriot Act. [Read more]
"Terrorizing Dissent: Election Cut", Part 4 (20 minutes, 2008) September 4th: "The Bombing of the Peace March" Glass Bead Collective, October 29th, 2008 20 minutes. On Tuesday, October 28, Glass Bead Collective, Twin Cities Indymedia, and other independent media activists released a new film, "Terrorizing Dissent: Election Cut," an expose of events at the 2008 Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minnesota. This final part of the documentary deals with the events of September 4th, including the police suppression of a peaceful demonstration while McCain was making his acceptance speech in the Convention Center. Footage of maced protester Leah Lane, one of the iconic moments of Day 4, is included. [Read more]
"Terrorizing Dissent: Election Cut" trailer (2 minutes, 2008) Glass Bead Collective, October 26th, 2008 MUST SEE VIDEO. 2:06 minute trailer for the documentary about what happened outside the Convention center between police and protesters during the 2008 RNC, by Glass Bead Collective and Twin Cities Indymedia. Includes unseen footage of riot police bizarrely abusing a small female protester wearing black. The documentary consists of four provocative sections: September 1st: The Battle of St Paul; September 2nd: The Gassing in St Paul; September 3rd: Terrorizing Dissent; and September 4th: The Bombing of the Peace March. The film is available for free download.
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