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News :: Miscellaneous |
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Uncle Sam's Overlooked Film Fest |
Current rating: 0 |
by Matthew Murrey
Email: mytwords (nospam) yahoo.com (unverified!)
Phone: 217-344-9155
Address: 606 E. High St., Urbana, IL 61801 |
22 Apr 2005
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The local anti-war anti-racism group AWARE handed out "spoof" film festival fliers to moviegoers at the Ebert Overlooked film festival.
Our flier was titled "Uncle Sam's Overlooked Film Festival"... |
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The local anti-war anti-racism group AWARE handed out "spoof" film festival fliers to moviegoers at the Ebert Overlooked film festival.
Our flier was titled "Uncle Sam's Overlooked Film Festival" and featured the following movies and descriptions:
"Iraqi Horror Picture Show"
$170 billion blockbuster extravaganza, featuring over a thousand dead US soldiers, a hundred thousand Iraqis killed, US-led torture, corruption, and endless lies. Rumors of a summer sequel on location in Iran.
"Sleepless in Guantanamo"
Most Americans have refused to see this one: beatings, painful positons, sexual humiliation, degredation and sleep deprivation are now offical
US policy. Innocent or guilty—who cares?
"Desperately Seeking Insurance"
Featuring a cast of over 40 million people with no health insurance whatsoever….zero…nada…zilch.
"Throw Grandpa From the Train"
Watch as the conservative politicians and their Wall Street cronies pillage the 70 year old successful Social Security program by redirecting funding into stock market linked private accounts.
"Some Like it Hot "
Nearly all scientists agree that global warming is happening, that it will cause unprecedented catastrophe, and that human activity is the root cause. The Bush answer: “sustained economic growth is the solution, not the problem.” (see whitehouse.gov)
"Honey I Shrunk the Surplus"
In this wacky comedy watch as the government turns a budget surplus of $236 billion in 2000 into budget deficits of $157 billion in 2002, $357 billion in 2003, and $412 billion in 2004. (cbo.gov)
The other side of the flier gave information about alternative news sources and about AWARE's activities.
The reaction of people taking the fliers seemed to be mostly positive. |
This work is in the public domain. |
Comments
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Re: Uncle Sam's Overlooked Film Fest |
by Film Fan
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
22 Apr 2005
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I was there and I thought it was, frankly, rude of you to impose yourself on a totally unrelated event. Certainly, this was your right to do so, but it was still rude.
Besides, most people in this town already oppose the war and voted against Bush. I would guess that an even higher proportion of the Ebert attendees are in accord with your views.
So why spend your time preaching to the converted, even as you intrude upon an event that has a purely cultural/entertainment purpose? |
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Re: Uncle Sam's Overlooked Film Fest |
by gehrig
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
22 Apr 2005
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Offhand, I'd say because it's a free country.
@%< |
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Re: Uncle Sam's Overlooked Film Fest |
by Film Fan
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
22 Apr 2005
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How about my freedom to not be annoyed by people shoving flyers at me? |
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Re: Uncle Sam's Overlooked Film Fest |
by Joe Futrelle
futrelle (nospam) shout.net (verified) |
Current rating: 0
22 Apr 2005
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> How about my freedom to not be annoyed by people shoving flyers at me?
You're free to not be annoyed, but you appear to have chosen not to exercise that freedom. |
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Re: Uncle Sam's Overlooked Film Fest |
by Film Fan
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
22 Apr 2005
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Now THAT'S the best thing I've heard today. I bow to my rhetorical superior. |
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Re: Uncle Sam's Overlooked Film Fest |
by beholder
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
22 Apr 2005
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Let me remind to everyone that somehow Bush was re-elected in 2004 though the majority of people in this town was then against the war also and Bush re-election was clearly connected with the continuation of this war.
I watched yesterday (4/21/05) program (The Heart of The World, The Saddest Music of The World) and had feeling that the producer should have dedicated something to me and/or my books, as, excluding his own memories and his own biography all other symbols were directly from my books and direct Internet postings of years 1999-2003.
If these movies seem irrelevant to you, it is only because you have seen only one side of the coin, and there is also the other side, and this producer (sure in allegorical form, utilizing history) is showing this other side of the coin. The travel into history has been always the most safest way to show the main and most dangerous problems of the current reality. So, watch attentively, and learn to see everything hidden between lines - this is my advice to those who found these movies IRRELEVANT. |
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Re: Uncle Sam's Overlooked Film Fest |
by Paul Kaiser
buddy (nospam) goodlearning.com (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
23 Apr 2005
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Clever! I can appreciate the satire in this flier.
Is it available somewhere as an original, maybe in PDF or something? I'd just like to see the whole thing.
I hope that between the info about alternate news sources and the info about AWARE's activities the flier leads people to ideas they can directly put into action. I agree with Film Fan's comments in that many of the people you targeted are probably right there with you in your views.
However, I also believe there are a *lot* of people in line with your views that do not know what they can do to make a real difference. So, if they can easily get some concrete ideas for action from your flier... then I'd say you *did* hit the right target.
If there is no real call to action, then I'm afraid I'd have to agree that it appears rude, annoying, and makes activists appear to stir up trouble rather than work for real solutions.
Whatever the case, I applaud you for doing anything at all. Too many of us read, talk, nod our heads, and take no real action whatsoever to turn the tide. |
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Re: Uncle Sam's Overlooked Film Fest |
by Gunner
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
25 Apr 2005
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How clever, you all should be very proud of yourselves. How would you feel if someone had handed you a flier that took the Republican side? I can bet you'd be pretty upset. I'll prove this at your next "anti-war" protest. |
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Re: Uncle Sam's Overlooked Film Fest |
by with emphasis this time
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
26 Apr 2005
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"and makes activists appear to stir up trouble rather than work for real solutions."
This would differ from everything else that "activists" do...how? |
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Re: Uncle Sam's Overlooked Film Fest |
by Paul Kaiser
buddy (nospam) goodlearning.com (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
26 Apr 2005
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"This would differ from everything else that 'activists' do...how?"
My point is that if activists draw attention to themselves and to issues they should be sure to include actions people can take if they decide those issues are indeed important to correct. If no info on actions is provided, then flyer-waving provides no real benefit to those who might read them, and truly the activists are just stirring things up for no obvious point.
It was intended as a bit of constructive criticism. |
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Re: Uncle Sam's Overlooked Film Fest |
by more emphasis
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
26 Apr 2005
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"truly the activists are just stirring things up for no obvious point"
I couldn't agree more. |
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Related Event: Gunner Palace |
by listening
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
26 Apr 2005
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Here's a war-related film going on in town at the Art Theatre- Gunner Palace. Reviews say it is politically unbiased. Regardless, it is told by the soldiers who are there. Maybe some of you would find this more interesting to debate about?
"Gunner Palace"-This documentary reveals the complex realities of the situation in Iraq not seen on the nightly news. Told first-hand by our troops, Gunner Palace presents a thought provoking portrait of a dangerous and chaotic war that is personal, highly emotional, sometimes disturbing, surprisingly amusing ... and thoroughly fascinating.
shows at 10pm. I think it only is there through Thursday. |
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More info as requested |
by Carol
carolinskeep (nospam) yahoo.com (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
26 Apr 2005
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Greetings - Paul, you asked for more info about what was on the back of the flyer. I cut and pasted it below. It offers several alternative media sources that folks can use to learn more, and also gives very brief info about the peace group and our protests.
We hoped by flyering that we might get some information out there, create some conversation, offer some opportunities to get involved, and maybe give a few folks a smile in these dark times. We gave out about 1400 flyers and got lots of positive feedback from folks about our presence there.
Thanks for your interest. I'd be glad to email you the word document of the entire flyer. cpi
The Flyer (reverse side):
Enjoy the real Overlooked Film Festival—it’s a great event in Champaign-Urbana!
But hopefully you will want to learn more about the behavior of the US government that mainstream media often overlooks: corruption, pollution, military agression, torture, and the elimination of important liberties and civil rights.
Get informed by supporting alternative media such as: The Nation, The Progressive, Z Magazine, and In These Times.
Listen/watch Democracy Now daily at 4 pm on WEFT or on UPTV at 7 am.
Check out the following web sites:
www.commondreams.org
www.cursor.org
www.antiwar.com
www.indymedia.org
Join us in our efforts. We are
AWARE, Champaign-Urbana’s
Anti-War Anti-Racism Effort
www.anti-war.net
We meet every Sunday at 5:00pm
at the local Independent Media Center
218 W Main St, Suite 110
Urbana, IL 61801-2725 |
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Re: Uncle Sam's Overlooked Film Fest |
by free speech
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
28 Apr 2005
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I did not see anyone "shove" flyers at people - individuals are free to take a flyer or not as they choose. I also do not feel that "everyone" in town is anti-war and anti-Bush and his agenda. I work with many who seem to see nothing wrong with the present agenda and feel ever so much "safer" with him and his cronies in charge. The point of the flyer was to keep people thinking of how badly this war is going and how much the country is hurting and losing its way under this adminstration. Not everyone who sees wrong and knows it always has ideas on how to fix it. We are trying to get more people involved with the awareness of the problem and try to get people involved to find a solution. Many films and artists try to say the same things in their work and we felt it was a good way to get people motivated. Free speech and putting ideas out in the public is some of what this country is supposed to be about - No ?? |
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Re: Uncle Sam's Overlooked Film Fest |
by Paul
buddy (nospam) goodlearning.com (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
29 Apr 2005
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Carol -- Thanks for the info. Looks like a fair flyer to me. Keeping it light with the satire, and giving people what they need to know to learn more. What's wrong with that?! Nothing... |
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Re: Uncle Sam's Overlooked Film Fest |
by Film Fan
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
29 Apr 2005
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To me, it's not about free speech. Sometimes -- sometimes -- an event or gathering is not political. Sometimes it's just about entertainment and relaxation, and people want to be left to enjoy their time. In other words, it's not necessary to impose your own agendaa on others all the time. |
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Re: Uncle Sam's Overlooked Film Fest |
by Paul
buddy (nospam) goodlearning.com (unverified) |
Current rating: 0
01 May 2005
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Film fan - I understand what you are saying. However, who is to say when the time is right or not right to publicize a group's agenda?
One could say Ebert's Overlooked Film Fest is not a political event, and so maybe noone should take advantage of that gathering.
On the other hand... the information and satire in the flyer follow along with the "overlooked" theme, in that the issues addressed are themselves often overlooked and ignored -- just like many fine films.
One could easily conclude that a large portion of Film Fest patrons are seeking exposure to something other than "entertainment for the masses." Exposing them to something other than "Media for the masses" isn't a long shot from there.
I'm not sure how to balance "annoying" people vs "informing" people at public events. I am sure that I'd support erring on the side of annoyance before I'd propose getting comfortable with the status quo. |
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