Finding Our Voices Press Release

Tuesday, September 7, 2004

From the wilderness of the jungle to the wildness of the streets Dream Catcher Films, Inc., well-known for producing science and wildlife documentaries, is currently tackling social change with FINDING OUR VOICES: STORIES OF AMERICAN DISSENT. This independent documentary currently in editing will challenge the way Americans view dissent.

Having just returned from covering the protests surrounding the Republican National Convention in New York, the producers add 20 hours of footage to the 200 hours of videotape shot since 9/11/01of street protests, vigils, town meetings, performances, demonstrations, and teach-ins. This material will serve as a backdrop for introducing strong individual stories of courage by average citizens.

Thomas Jefferson said "Dissent is the highest form of patriotism," and our history shows that the majority of the rights we take for granted are the fruits of dissent. But in America today, do most citizens recognize this essential element of democracy? In the land of liberty, peaceful dissenters at political conventions and rallies are relegated to 'free speech areas,' out of sight of delegates and far from the media, and many politicians label those who publicly disagree with them as traitors. Are they traitors or patriots?

FINDING OUR VOICES introduces courageous citizens from diverse backgrounds engaged in a broad range of issues who are taking an active role in their democracy. Some write letters to Congress, others demonstrate in the streets. Some work to enact or defeat legislation, others resign their jobs and careers to protest injustice. These dissenters represent millions more, many who are reluctant to voice disapproval or concern for fear of appearing unpatriotic in post 9-11 America.

The time period of this film covers the build-up, invasion and occupation of Iraq, and it also addresses other contemporary issues including environmental concerns, genocide in Sudan, economic disparity in America, racism, nuclear weapons, women's issues, immigrant rights, the U.S. Patriot Act, globalization and others. While not all of these issues will be explored in the film, they speak to the diversity of concerns currently on the table and the wide array of affected populations who use organized dissent as one means of exercising political voice.

Director/Writer Vicki Hughes reports, "While the mainstream media seems unwilling to tackle many of the threats to our country and our world head on, courageous and committed citizens have undertaken the often unappreciated task of defending the heritage that is American democracy. They seek to 'protect' the country and the world by addressing the needs of the disenfranchised, by guarding the environment and by working for peace and understanding in a truly global world. As documentary filmmakers we are privileged to introduce these warriors for justice to a broader community. FINDING OUR VOICES celebrates their lives and work and raises for consideration the essential role of dissent in a healthy democracy."

Dream Catcher Films, Inc. team also includes Executive Producer, Holly Barden Stadtler, Coordinating Producer and Videographer Laurel Jensen, and Academy Award winning Editor, Barr Weissman. Completion of the feature-length documentary is expected in December, 2004 and will be independently distributed. More can be found about this film at http://www.dreamcatcherfilms.com/.