Positive Force: More Than a Witness: 30 Years of Punk Politics In Action (DVD video)
$19.95
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Description
Covering a quarter century, this documentary traces the history of the Washington, DC–based punk-activist collective, Positive Force DC, from its Regan-era origins to the modern day. The feature-length film skillfully mixes rare, archival footage with current interviews of key Positive Force activists such as cofounder Mark Andersen and musicians Ian MacKaye, Ted Leo, and Allison Wolfe. Exploring the organization’s DIY tactics in addressing issues of homelessness, racism, sexism, corporate globalization, and war, the documentary also sheds light on the group’s struggles with the FBI as well as its conflicting internal visions. Featuring never-before-seen footage of legendary bands such as Seven Seconds, Fugazi, the Make-Up, Jawbox, and more, this film will captivate punk and indie rock fans and provide inspiration to those seeking to make a difference in their community.
About the Author
Robin Bell is an award-winning videographer and artist. He is a professor at the Corcoran College of Art & Design and the founder and owner of Bellvisuals, a boutique production company that supports social justice groups and environmentally sustainable companies. He lives in Washington, DC.
Praise For…
"Positive Force: More Than A Witness shows how music and activism can intersect." —Ally Schweitzer, bandwidth.wamu.org
"It may not be as widely known or celebrated as the music itself, but the Positive Force story is inextricably linked with D.C. punk." —Dean Essner, Washington Post Express
"A fascinating and inspirational new documentary by Robin Bell that chronicles the symbiotic relationship between D.C. punk and do-gooderism." —Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post
"Positive Force: More than a Witness interviews numerous of people throughout the punk scene from the obvious who would be interviewed (i.e. Mark Andersen, Ian MacKaye) to the maybe-not-so-obvious (i.e. Laura Jane Grace, Spoonboy)." —Clarissa Villondo, brightestyoungthings.com
"Positive Force: More Than a Witness clarifies that what was an active moment in both local music and politics was the nudge many young people needed to reexamine their own lives." —Maxwell Tani, Washington City Paper
"Directed by Robin Bell, the film tells the story of Positive Force's campaigns against homelessness, racism, corporate globalization, sexism, war, and more." —Pitchfork
"If you have any interest at all in the history of American punk and/or activism, Positive Force is definitely worth your time." —Bart Bealmear, dangerousminds.net
"Featuring appearances from bands like Fugazi, Bikini Kill, Nation of Ulysses and more, the documentary spans the group's origins and includes performances, details on their tactics, and much, much more." —Vice
"How many ways can the D.C. punk icons of yore retell their tales of all-ages basement shows and subverting the ever-hungry maw of the capitalist music industry? After this year, add two more well-sourced volumes to the record: Salad Days: Punk in the Nation’s Capital and Positive Force: More Than a Witness, both documentary films that premiered on the same November weekend. Whether D.C. needs two more rehashings of the white-dude-heavy, MacKaye-Rollins glory days is up for debate . . . but the punk scene’s impulse toward nostalgia seems as healthy as it ever was." —Christina Cauterucci, washingtoncitypaper.com
"This documentary is an honest and direct look at a group of people that have actually done good – 'talked the talk and walked the walk' so to speak – and continue to do so to this day." —Rob Ross, popdose.com
