Excited to announce the next Rock Shop screening:
Tuesday, February 23, 2016
The Somerville Theatre
Positive Force: More Than a Witness
30 Years of Punk Politics in Action
7:30pm // All Ages // $10 // Tickets
Q & A to follow with director Robin Bell
Positive Force on Facebook * Facebook Event
presented by Rock Shop
SYNOPSIS
Punk activist collective Positive Force DC emerged in 1985, rising from the creative, politically-charged ferment of DC punk’s Revolution Summer. Born in a dynamic local scene sparked by Bad Brains, Minor Threat, and Rites of Spring, a handful of young activists also drew inspiration from UK anarcho-punks Crass and the original “Positive Force” band Seven Seconds to become one of the most long-lasting and influential exponents of punk politics.
This feature-length film by Robin Bell skillfully mixes rare archival footage (including electrifying live performances from Fugazi, Bikini Kill, Rites of Spring, Nation of Ulysses, Anti-Flag, and more) with new interviews of key PF activists including co-founder Mark Andersen (co-author of Dance of Days) and Jenny Toomey (Simple Machines, Tsunami) as well as supporters such as Ian MacKaye, Jello Biafra, Dave Grohl, Ted Leo, Riot Grrrl co-founders Allison Wolfe and Kathleen Hanna, and many more. Covering a span of 30 years, More Than a Witness documents PF’s Reagan-era origins, the creation of its communal house, FBI harassment, and the rise of a vibrant underground that burst into the mainstream amid controversy over both the means and the ends of the movement.
Through it all, Positive Force has persisted, remaining deeply rooted in their hometown, reaching out to those in need and building bridges between diverse communities, while regularly bringing punk protest to the front doors of the powers-that-be. Encompassing an ever-evolving cast of characters, the all-volunteer group has helped to nurture several generations of activists. In the best punk fashion, PF has applied creative DIY tactics and radical critiques to issues of homelessness, hunger, racism, corporate globalization, sexism, homophobia, war, gentrification, and animal/earth liberation, while struggling to constructively address conflicting dynamics and visions within the group itself.
Directed by Robin Bell. With: Mark Andersen (co-author of Dance of Days) and Jenny Toomey (Simple Machines) as well as supporters such as Ian MacKaye, Jello Biafra, Dave Grohl, Ted Leo, Riot Grrrl co-founders Kathleen Hanna and Allison Wolfe, and many more. TRT 69 mins. 2014
PRESS QUOTES
“A fascinating and inspirational new documentary by Robin Bell that chronicles the symbiotic relationship between D.C. punk and do-gooderism….Seamlessly situating a musical moment within the larger cultural context of Reaganomics, the rise of riot grrrl feminism, pacifist protest and other issues” – Michael O’Sullivan, Washington Post
“If Robin Bell’s new documentary Positive Force: More Than a Witness is out to prove anything, it’s that D.C. punk is as much about ideals as it is about attitude.” – Dean Essner, Washington Post Express
“This is a really good documentary that you should watch and own, and share it with everyone you know. Kudos to the film makers and all the participants, job well done! Thank You.” -Glen E Friedman, photographer
“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, Dangerous Minds
“No one interested in the connections between punk and activism can ignore Positive Force DC, and no one with such an interest can ignore More Than a Witness” – Gabriel Kuhn, author and political activist
ROBIN BELL BIOGRAPHY
Robin Bell, founder of Bell Visuals, is an award-winning editor, video journalist, and multimedia artist based in Washington DC. Robin works on a range of political and public interest projects.
Building upon his formal training as a classical printmaker, Robin is also known for his unique style of live video collage, which he has performed at well-known venues including the The Kennedy Center, 930 club, and the Phillips Collection in Washington DC, Central Park Center Stage in NYC, and The Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles California.
Combining his commitment to social change through the dissemination of information via video, and his artistic vision as a live video artist, Robin co-produced Operation Ceasefire, a seminal anti-war concert on the national mall, in 2005. Prior to that, he collaborated with DJ Spooky on a live re-mix of the presidential election results in 2004 at the Black Cat nightclub in Washington DC.
Robin was the lead video editor or PBS television show Foreign Exchange with Fareed Zakaria. Also he taught video classes at the Corcoran College of Art and Design.
Currently, Robin works along with his team at Bell Visuals as a media consultant for socially responsible and non-profit companies.
Rock Shop 