Screening Truth to Power: A Reader on Documentary Activism (2014)
"This book should be required reading for anyone interested in cinema and social change. The contributions are as diverse and colourful as the film culture they come from, with the authors nonetheless united in their commitment to using film in the struggle for a more democratic, just, and sustainable society. Refreshingly absent of the pro-market, liberal-humanist rhetoric surrounding ‘socially engaged’ documentary elsewhere, the essays, texts, interviews and unruly lists of film top-tens that comprise this book constitute clear-sighted anti-capitalism in all its multifarious forms. Written and edited by some of the most prominent filmmakers, scholars, programmers and activists today, this practical, theoretically informed, straight-talking handbook is a valuable contribution to committed film culture. Here’s to another ten years of Cinema Politica. Viva!" Dr Steve Presence, CMIR Research Associate and friend of Cinema Politica. |
Screening Truth to Power: A Reader on Documentary Activism is a reflection on ten years of activities of the documentary screening non-profit Cinema Politica. Marking a transformative and inspiring decade of connecting audiences, artists and activists through provocative political film and video, Cinema Politica brings together diverse voices in this collection of essays, interviews, impressions and specially curated ‘favourite docs’ lists.
With analyses from filmmakers and academics like Shannon Walsh and Darrell Varga, and film and media scholars like Thomas Waugh and John Downing, lists of political documentary favorites from Kim Longinotto, John Greyson, and Sylvia D. Hamilton, among others, as well as reflections from a host of other docuphiles, doc critics and doc-theorists, Screening Truth to Poweris an eclectic and original contribution to literature on the genre.
This collection also reflects the mandate of Cinema Politica to seize upon documentary's transformational potential in order to advance progressive socio-political and ecological change. As such, the firebrand texts between these covers promises to engage, inspire, and activate.
With analyses from filmmakers and academics like Shannon Walsh and Darrell Varga, and film and media scholars like Thomas Waugh and John Downing, lists of political documentary favorites from Kim Longinotto, John Greyson, and Sylvia D. Hamilton, among others, as well as reflections from a host of other docuphiles, doc critics and doc-theorists, Screening Truth to Poweris an eclectic and original contribution to literature on the genre.
This collection also reflects the mandate of Cinema Politica to seize upon documentary's transformational potential in order to advance progressive socio-political and ecological change. As such, the firebrand texts between these covers promises to engage, inspire, and activate.