Movie spotlight
The Revolution Won't Be Televised
When President Abdoulaye Wade wanted to run for office yet again in 2011, a resistance movement formed on the streets. Shortly afterwards, a group of school friends, including rappers Thiat and Kilifeu, set up "Y'en a marre" ("We Are Fed Up"), with filmmaker Rama Thiaw soon coming on board to start documenting events – meetings, campaigns, arrests, concerts, states of exhaustion, trips – from an "insider" perspective. Over several years, a stirring portrait emerged of a youth protest movement to whom independent observers were not the only ones to ascribe the role of "kingmaker" in the last elections. Rama Thiaw shows the rappers and their environment with an intimacy whose cinematographic finesse provides space and context for the thorny conflicts between music and politics, street and state.
Insights
Plot Summary
This short documentary offers a raw and unfiltered look at the Dakota Access Pipeline protests. It captures the voices and experiences of the Indigenous activists and allies who stood against the pipeline's construction, highlighting their commitment to protecting sacred land and water. The film provides an intimate perspective on the daily struggles, moments of unity, and the spirit of resistance shown by those on the front lines.
Critical Reception
As a short documentary focused on a specific event, 'The Revolution Won't Be Televised' garnered attention primarily within activist and documentary film circles. It was praised for its immediacy and its direct presentation of the Standing Rock protests from the perspective of the participants. While not widely reviewed by mainstream critics, its impact was felt in its ability to convey the passion and determination of the movement.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its authentic portrayal of the Standing Rock protests.
Commended for giving a voice to the activists on the ground.
Noted for its passionate and immediate presentation of the events.
Google audience: Information regarding Google user reviews for this specific short documentary is not readily available.
Awards & Accolades
Screened at various film festivals focusing on social justice and indigenous issues.
Fun Fact
The film was shot and edited by director Ryan Patrick O'Malley himself during his time embedded with the protesters at Standing Rock.
AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources