Last week I learned of a new documentary film entitled Us Now: a film project about the power of mass collaboration, government and the internet. The documentary is directed by Ivo Gormley and produced in the UK by Banyak films in association with the RSA. Here’s a brief explanation from the Us Now site:
In a world in which information is like air, what happens to power?
Us Now is a documentary film project about the power of mass collaboration, government and the Internet.
Us Now tells the stories of online networks that are challenging the
existing notion of hierarchy. For the first time, it brings together
the fore-most thinkers in the field of participative governance to
describe the future of government.
All of the material generated during the project will be available to
view online and the project will culminate in an hour long documentary
to be released publicly in January 2009.
Here’s the preview:
Without having seen the film, it’s tough to comment knowledgeably about it, but I will say that the subject matter is extremely timely. Clay Shirky’s quote, (paraphrased) “it’s not about the tools and technologies, it’s about what they can do,” is, of course, dead on. Film is an accessible and universal format and may be just the right tool for engaging the not-yet-believers in the power of collaboration for cultural and governmental change.
I have reached out to the folks at Banyak films to discuss their plans for a U.S. screening. We’ll keep you posted…
Thank you for sharing! I would def. attend a DC screening….since it’s government and we’re in DC…perhaps a DC premiere is most relevant. Be sure to keep u s posted. =)
We spoke to the director. You can find that conversation here:
http://federalnewsradio.com/index.php?nid=364&sid=1554874
you can now watch the whole film online here:
http://watch.usnowfilm.com/