This film takes the viewer on a journey through different activist initiatives in order to explore the "new" coupling of spirituality and activism. Ripper has some really good footage and some great interviews... however the film is lacking focus. The idea of spiritual activism is stressed throughout the film, as if it is some new phenomenon. Ripper explains spiritual activism as working toward some greater good or change... well isn't that what activism has always worked towards? Ripper also stresses the importance of passive resistance, but then goes on to explain activists as warriors. Doesn't this defeat the point of showing passive resistance as the epitome of spiritual activism? There is also the issue of Ripper himself. His presence in the film seems unnecessary and detracts from the message of the film. Is it about him or is it about activism? Not to mention his voice is monotonous and slightly annoying.
Although Ripper has some great footage, he uses too much of it. In this case less is more. The film looks at the civil rights movement, the "garden" in LA, the riots in Montreal in 2001, Vietnam, etc. It's just too much and distracts the viewer from what Ripper is getting at... which is a little foggy to begin with.
What is spiritual activism? Why do we care? Why should we care? Ripper doesn't entice the audience to make a change... he is preaching to the choir. The only people who would probably pay to go see this movie are those who are already informed. So what is the audience coming away with at the end? The reconfirmed knowledge that activism is important and that Daryl Hannah sat in a tree for a month. OK maybe that's a little harsh, but we all know what activism is and what it entails. Ripper should have focused on passive resistance as activism by looking at the issue of the garden more in depth- who are these people, what is their story, why do they need this garden, why are they so passionate about it? All in all the film was disappointing.
Although Ripper has some great footage, he uses too much of it. In this case less is more. The film looks at the civil rights movement, the "garden" in LA, the riots in Montreal in 2001, Vietnam, etc. It's just too much and distracts the viewer from what Ripper is getting at... which is a little foggy to begin with.
What is spiritual activism? Why do we care? Why should we care? Ripper doesn't entice the audience to make a change... he is preaching to the choir. The only people who would probably pay to go see this movie are those who are already informed. So what is the audience coming away with at the end? The reconfirmed knowledge that activism is important and that Daryl Hannah sat in a tree for a month. OK maybe that's a little harsh, but we all know what activism is and what it entails. Ripper should have focused on passive resistance as activism by looking at the issue of the garden more in depth- who are these people, what is their story, why do they need this garden, why are they so passionate about it? All in all the film was disappointing.