Per Estonian World, the new film Firebird tells the true story of a gay love triangle in Soviet-occupied territory during the Cold War. "Firebird is a touching and personal film for me, having grown up in Soviet occupied Estonia, near the air force base where this true story took place. I was deeply fascinated at how such a forbidden love triangle formed in the Soviet air force … [Read more...]
Welcome to Chechnya
FREE ON HBO UNTIL AUGUST 4th An underground railroad in the Russian republic of Chechnya risks all to protect gay people from the government's official policy of torture and extermination. [ Welcome to Chechnya credits: Dir: David France/ Olga Baranova, David Isteev, Maxim Lapunov/ 107 min/ Documentary/ Democide, Government as Bigot, Government as Torturer, Sexual Liberty/ … [Read more...]
Derrick J’s Victimless Crime Spree (2012)
WINNER: TOP 25 LIBERTARIAN DOCUMENTARIES Libertarian activist Derrick J. Freeman chronicles his arrest and incarceration for five "crimes" -- videoing police, dancing in a public place, smoking cannabis, wearing a hat in court, and riding a bike -- in a civil disobedience spree that demonstrates just how petty and dangerous is our ever-expanding body of law. [ Derrick J's … [Read more...]
The Giver (2014)
When a 16-year-old boy discovers that the "perfect" managed society in which he lives is simply a drugged potemkin village, he must decide whether its superficially happy character is worth the price in terms of foregone human experience and lost liberty. [ The Giver credits: Dir: Phillip Noyce/ 94 min/ SciFi-Drama/ Individualism, Government enforced morality, Equality & … [Read more...]
Footloose (1984 & 2011) | Movie Review
The hit 1984 film Footloose was remade in 2011, not to quite the same acclaim but it has much the same spirit and both films are excellent allegories in government enforced morality. Review of Footloose (2011) The new kid in a small town leads a high-school rebellion against the town’s antidancing law. [Dir: Craig Brewer/ Kenny Wormald, Julianne Hough, Dennis Quaid/ 113 … [Read more...]
Pirate Radio (2009)
When the BBC attempts to limit broadcasting of rock and roll in 1960s Britain, a renegade musician starts his own pirate radio station in international waters. Based on actual events. Also listed as The Boat That Rocked. [ Pirate Radio credits: Dir: Richard Curtis/ 117 min/ Music/Dance, Comedy/ Freedom of speech, Free press as hero, Government-enforced morality] This … [Read more...]
Equilibrium (2002)
In a future dystopian world, government forcibly drugs the population to keep it passive--until one of its own agents turns renegade and sets in motion a rebellion. [ Equilibrium credits: Dir: Kurt Wimmer/ Christian Bale, Emily Watson, Taye Diggs/ 107min/ Action-SciFi/ Government Enforced Morality] Equilibrium is very much in the tradition of anti-authoritarian cinema. … [Read more...]
Dirty Pictures (2000)
A museum curator on trial for displaying "obscene" photographs defends his free speech rights in a fierce legal battle. Based on a true story. Dirty Pictures credits: [Dir: Frank Pierson/ James Woods, Craig T. Nelson, Diana Scarwid/ 95min/ Drama/ Freedom of Speech, Government Enforced Morality] Click here to see trailer. For the most part, the work of late photographer … [Read more...]
Chocolat (2000)
ACADEMY AWARD NOMINEE: BEST PICTURE The arrival of a talented confectionery artist in a small staid town reawakens innocent sensuality and stimulates a civil rebellion. [ Chocolat credits: Dir: Lasse Hallstršm/ Juliette Binoche, Alfred Molina, Judi Dench/ 121min/ Comedy, Romance/ Government Enforced Morality, Social Tolerance] Depicted here, through dramatic events in a … [Read more...]
Sex, Drugs & Consenting Adults (1998)
WINNER: TOP 25 LIBERTARIAN DOCUMENTARIES A documentary challenge to laws against victimless crimes, questioning both the logic and practical effect of legislating the private personal behavior of consenting adults. [ Sex, Drugs, & Consenting Adults credits: Executive Producer: Victor Neufeld/ Journalist: John Stossel/ 50 min/ Documentary-Educational/ Government Enforced … [Read more...]