Killswitch (film)

Killswitch is a documentary film about the battle for control over the Internet. The movie is a collaboration between director Ali Akbarzadeh, producer Jeffrey Horn, writer Christopher Dollar[1] and Akorn Entertainment.[2] It premiered at the Woodstock Film Festival in October 2014, where it won the James K. Lyons Award for Best Editing of a feature documentary [3] and then made its international debut, playing alongside Citizenfour at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam in November 2014.[4] In 2015, it screened on Capitol Hill, as well as film festivals on four continents (Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America).[2][5][6] The tech world has been excited by democratic presidential candidate Lawrence Lessig's role in the film. Kathy Gill of GeekWire writes that "Killswitch is much more than a dry recitation of technical history. Director Ali Akbarzadeh, producer Jeff Horn, and writer Christopher Dollar created a human centered story. A large part of that connection comes from Lessig and his relationship with Swartz."[7] On September 13, 2016 Killswitch was released on iTunes movies, and within 24 hours it was trending as a top 5 on their documentary page.

Synopsis

The Internet is under attack. Free Speech, innovation, and democracy are all up for grabs.[8]

Lawrence Lessig, Tim Wu, and Peter Ludlow frame the story of two young hackers, Aaron Swartz and Edward Snowden, who symbolize the disruptive and dynamic nature of the Internet. Their lives parallel one another as they free information and take on the system, putting them directly in the cross-hairs of some of the most powerful interests in the world. Swartz leads the charge in defeating the Stop Online Piracy Act, and pays a heavy price, but not before he challenges his mentor, Lawrence Lessig, to take up his call and lead a crusade to restore our democracy. Snowden is forced to flee the country and ponder his next move.[9][10][11]

Capitol Hill screening

In February 2015, Killswitch was invited to screen at the Capitol Visitor's Center in Washington DC by Congressman Alan Grayson. The event was held on the eve of the Federal Communications Commission's historic decision on net neutrality. Congressman Grayson, Harvard Professor Lawrence Lessig, and Free Press CEO Craig Aaron paid homage to Aaron Swartz and spoke about the importance of protecting the free and open Internet.[12][13]

Reception

Film festival premieres

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Christopher Dollar". IMDb. Retrieved 2016-05-25.
  2. 1 2 "Battle for Internet Control fuels O.C. produced Movie". Retrieved April 14, 2015.
  3. ↑ "2014 Woodstock Film Festival Honors Darren Aronofsky, Announces Audience Awards". Retrieved October 21, 2014.
  4. ↑ "International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam".
  5. 1 2 "Grayson Screen Award-Winning "Killswitch" Documentary".
  6. ↑ Swegles, Fred. "Battle for Internet Control Fuels O.C. -produced Movie". Orange County Register. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
  7. ↑ Gill, Kathy. "Lawrence Lessig at 'Killswitch' Seattle Premiere: Money, Politics, and the Battle for the Internet". GeekWire. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Synopsis". Killswitch Official Website. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
  9. ↑ von Busack, Richard. "Breaking the Internet: 'Killswitch' Screens at Cinequest". Metro Silicon Valley. Retrieved February 25, 2015.
  10. ↑ Swegles, Fred. "Battle for Internet Control Fuels OC - produced Movie". Orange County Register. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
  11. ↑ Grayson, Alan. "The Price You Pay for Rocking the Boat". Huffington Post. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  12. ↑ Grayson, Alan. "Grayson Screen Award Winning "Killswitch" Documentary". Congressman Grayson's House of Rep Official Web Page. Retrieved February 23, 2015.
  13. ↑ "The Price That You Pay for Rocking The Boat". Huffington Post. Retrieved March 27, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Breaking the Internet: "Killswitch" Screens at Cinequest". Retrieved February 25, 2014.
  15. ↑ Swegles, Fred. "Battle for Internet Control Fuels O.C.-produce Movie". Orange Country Register.
  16. ↑ Gill, Kathy. "Lawrence Lessig at 'Killswitch' Seattle Premiere: Money Politics and the Battle for the Internet". GeekWire. Retrieved June 5, 2015.
  17. ↑ "Killswitch - IDFA". idfa.nl. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
  18. ↑ "2014 Woodstock Film Festival online schedule and tickets". woodstockfilmfestival.com. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
  19. ↑ "Cinequest - Killswitch". Cinequest Film Festival. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
  20. ↑ "Killswitch screening notice". Retrieved April 16, 2015.
  21. ↑ "ZAGREBDOX International Documentary Film Festival listing for Killswitch". zagrebdox.net. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
  22. ↑ "Newport Beach Festival listing".

External links

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