Michael Franti - Director Catherine Enny - Producer Carla Swanson - Editor Wonder Knack - Editor John Neff - Sound Engineer
Awards
Best International Documentary ~ Harlem Film Festival
Festivals
2nd Annual Nazareth In'tl Film Festival 2007 WORLD COMMUNITY FILM FESTIVAL San Francisco World Film Festival 2005 Slamdance International Film Festival 2005 Maui International Film Festival 2005 Rotterdam International Film Festival 2005 Opendoek and Amnesty int'l Film Festival 2005 Brisbane International Film Festival 2005
I Know I'm Not Alone by Michael Franti's Interests
This film came out of my frustration with watching the nightly news and hearing generals, politicians and pundits, explaining the political and economic cost of the war in the Middle East, without ever mentioning the human cost. I wanted to hear about the war by the people affected by it most: doctors, nurses, poets, artists, soldiers and my personal favorite, musicians. So I bought some plane tickets and headed to Iraq, Israel and the occupied territories of Palestine. I was joined on the trip by several friends who wanted to see the war first hand as well: two human rights lawyers, my manager, a drum tech, a retired U.S. Army captain and a beauty salon owner (just for good measure).
When I first had the idea for this journey, I had no idea how to get to Iraq and almost no idea how to make a film. After discovering that all you need to get into Iraq is a plane ticket, I prayed that movie making would be that simple. It aint... so I did what I suggest any first time filmmaker should do, surround myself with the most talented and passionate editors, photographers and sound people I could find, give them direction, and then stay out of the way as much as possible.
When I arrived in Iraq I had little planned except that I knew I wanted to play guitar and sing on the street, in homes, hospitals, military outposts or anywhere people were ready to recieve it.
My intention was to not only capture emotions on film but to record them In song. I wrote several songs used in the film while I was on the trip itself and then wrote 15 more as I poured over two hundred of hours of footage. I divided my time equally between writing and recording songs downstairs in my music studio, and directing upstairs in the video bay.
Although war is the most politically weighted subject one could ever take on, I did not want to make a political movie. Instead, I wanted to make a film about people, and the things they do to overcome the stresses of war and occupation: chief among these being friendship, humor, art and music.
Upon my return from the Middle East in June, we started digitizing and reviewing the footage on my tour bus, as I was on the road with my band in Europe the day after I returned home (I do not advise anyone to attempt this).
I tell stories through my songs and spoken word, and approached the film in the same way. We let the images and music flow together as I re-told the story with voiceover and lyrics inspired from the journey. In taking this organic approach, I believe we gave unique insight into what people are facing in the Middle East today.
I am incredibly indebted to the people of Iraq, Israel and Palestine as well as all the Soldiers who spoke so candidly for our cameras and have done my best to share their stories in the film. The most powerful thing I learned throughout the whole experience is how the gift of music opens all of our hearts and how in these times, that gift is more meaningful than ever.
Who I'd like to meet:
I Know I'm Not Alone by Michael Franti's Friend Space (Top 36)
I Know I'm Not Alone by Michael Franti has 4715 friends.
yo, what up. im still hittin you up cuz you don't visit on a regular basis. anyway, these are the shirts from that "I'M ON IT" video that we have for sell. we got colors to match your school, organizations, new jays, whatever. we got limited quantities of each so hit us up ASAP. and if you don't see the colors that you want, hit us up with those colors and we will see what we can do.
Available Colors:
5th Flow - "I'M ON IT" is available on iTunes, Amazon, and wherever MP3s are sold. Holla at us.
Just making the rounds to all of For Love & Stacie's friends here on MySpace letting you know that the full movie is now online in its entirety for free. Hope you love it and really hope you'll help us out by spreading it around if you do! Thanks so much!
IN SEPTEMBER, YOU'VE GOT THE CHOICE TO SEE WATCHA CLAN LIVE AND DIRECT!!
18 Sep CHICAGO (IL) CHICAGO WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL@ NAVY PIER 19 Sep MILWAUKEE (WI) GLOBAL UNION FESTIVAL 20 Sep CHICAGO (IL) CHICAGO WORLD MUSIC FESTIVAL@ SONOTHEQUE 23 Sep MADISON (WI) CRYSTAL CORNER BAR 25 Sep BLOOMINGTON (IN) LOTUS FESTIVAL 27 Sep MINNEAPOLIS (MN) GLOBAL ROOTS FESTIVAL @ CEDAR CULTURAL CENTER 30 Sep NORTH ADAMS (MA) MCLA 2 Oct NEW YORK CITY (NY) SOUTHPAW / BROOKLYN
As you may (or may not) know Phish tour etc. took a bit of a toll on me
this summer - please help me get out of the hole by buying some really
cool stuff. I'll sell it to you much more cheaply than you'll find
this kind of quality merch any where else - I swear. Obviously I have
a lot more than what's listed here, but its a start. Check back &
I'll have many updates.
Here's some of the cool tapestries I have for sale. Most are 90x60 -
some are 90x90. I also have hundreds of dyes and printed shirts as
well. I'll have more stuff up soon.
Yo, what up homie. You don't even visit the page no mo. It's cool, we just gone come to you, lol. We got a video for "I'M ON IT!" It's the unofficial video, but it still go hard. Check it out and then you can tell everybody you "ON IT!!!".
Founding member and former front man of John Brown’s Body Kevin Kinsella returns to Southern Cali August 1 to perform with Elijah Emmanuel and the Revelations. Come out and show some love!
A typical Kevin Kinsella set includes his new original reggae, 10 Ft. Ganja Plant music and classic JBB songs.
Click link above to listen to samples and order - $9.95 + s&h
Tampa Taiko is a professional drumming duo that has performed their unique style for a vast array of audiences, performing at festivals, concert halls, schools, workshops, summer camps, corporate and VIP events. Using a collection of taiko drums made by themselves from discarded wine barrels, Tampa Taiko has developed a dynamic fusion of old and new styles of drumming, bringing a contemporary vibrance to an ancient martial artform.
To Release isn't to forget, not to think about, or ignore. It doesn't leave feelings of anger, jealousy, or regret. It's not about pride and it's not obsessing or dwelling on the past. It's not about giving in or giving up. To let go is to cherish the memories, but to overcome and move on. Letting go is learning and experiencing and growing. To release is to be thankful for the experiences that made you laugh, made you cry, and made you grow. It's about all that you have, all that you had, and all that you will soon gain. Letting go is releasing and having the courage to accept change, and the strength to keep moving. It is realizing that the heart can sometimes be the most potent remedy. To let go is to open a door, and to clear a path and set yourself free---
I Know I'm Not Alone by Michael Franti, remember that it's easy to let go when holding on hurts so bad--so free yourself from all these expectations and just be :-) Hope you find the unity in my new single "Release" feat. JRockA. So come peep the track! Stay creative and stay connected!!
Online Now!
