Voices of Dissent

This award-winning documentary focuses on some of the citizens who are defending the First Amendment rights and civil liberties against government attempts to repress democracy and our freedom to dissent. It includes many of the surprising and creative ways Americans have found to express their views in dissent against the Bush administration's policy of war in Iraq.

Using events, theatre, song, dance, comedy, satire, music, poetry, interviews with many well-known personalities and the wisdom of our country's founders, VOICES OF DISSENT reminds us of our roots and the importance of protecting authentic democracy. It challenges anyone who would limit the freedoms and civil liberties granted in the Constitution and Bill of Rights as fundamentally un-American, even if they are our own leaders. It inspires viewers to speak out, vote and actively protect our heritage of democracy, before we lose it.

Awards

San Francisco Women’s Film Festival – Best Activism Film
Westwood International Film Festival – Official Selection
Houston International Film Festival (aka WorldFest Houston) - Bronze Remi Award for TV News & Documentary Editing & Graphics
Starving Artist Film Festival – Award for Excellence
Oakland International Film Festival – Official Selection
Vermont International Film Festival – Official Selection in the Human Rights section
Dallas Video Festival – Official Selection
Take Back Democracy Film Festival, Dallas, TX – Official Selection
Bernal Heights Outdoor Cine Festival, San Francisco – Official Selection
Pyxix Online Video Festival - Official Selection/cash prize winner
Lingual.net Online Shorts Festival - Official Selection/cash prize winner

Reviews

"VOICES OF DISSENT is a wake-up call for anyone who wants to pay attention to what is happening in our country -- and what we can do about it. An antidote to complacency and illusion, this film provides a jolt of realism and inspiration. The tradition of struggling for civil liberties and social justice is alive and well in VOICES OF DISSENT. The clear message is that eternal vigilance is essential if we're going to turn around the ominous trends of recent years. This is the kind of video you'll probably want to pass out to people you know, urging them to do the same -- spreading the inspiration and encouraging each other to work more effectively to overcome the right-wing forces currently on the march in the United States.
-- Norman Solomon, author & syndicated columnist

"An excellent, very professional and effective piece. It moves swiftly and entertainingly and has an amazing cast of characters. Most effective for me are the powerful interspersed quotes of the likes of Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln."
-- Terry Sanders, Academy Award-winning filmmaker

"I was never so moved by watching a film before. A priceless piece of work. I thought about it for a long time."
-- John Blackburn (bought 5 copies to send to friends in swing states.)

"I love it. It's a wonderful video. Compelling, accurate and not at all exaggerated. It gives us hope."
-- Lila Garrett, Co-Producer & Host of CONNECT THE DOTS, KPFK Radio, L.A.

"VOICES OF DISSENT was the strongest and most powerful film shown that night (at the Bernal Heights Outdoor Cine Festival), and should be must-watching for anyone concerned about the current political climate in America. Strong, moving, direct to the point."
--jsbmswpi (Audience feedback by email)

"Congratulations, Karil! You turned such a difficult task into a piece of art. The rhythm, pacing, syncing work so well with the reasoning. The energy of the film builds up and carries all the way to the finale."
--Song Cato, documentary filmmaker/Chinese translator

Screenings

Grand Lake Theatre, Oakland, CA
Parkway Speakeasy Theater, Oakland, CA
KTEH, Video I series - PBS, San Jose, CA
Various Public Television stations around the USA, through NETA Access
ARTISTS & MUSICIANS FOR WORLD PEACE performance, at STUDIO Z GALLERY, San Francisco
Nationwide broadcasts on FREE SPEECH TV
Featured at the ECHO Theater, Dallas, TX, as part of a week-long run of the play "Dreaming America: In the Bunker with George."
DOLBY LABS, San Francisco, in association with the activist organization Democracy Action