{"id":4331,"date":"2012-10-19T18:33:06","date_gmt":"2012-10-20T00:33:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/sisterrosemovies\/?p=4331"},"modified":"2012-10-19T18:33:06","modified_gmt":"2012-10-20T00:33:06","slug":"a-whisper-to-a-roar-tells-of-democracys-heroes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/sisterrosemovies\/2012\/10\/a-whisper-to-a-roar-tells-of-democracys-heroes\/","title":{"rendered":"“A Whisper to a Roar” tells of democracy’s heroes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

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Dragons come in many forms.<\/p>\n

And so do heroes.<\/p>\n

This feature-length documentary<\/a> from filmmaker Ben Moses chronicles the stories of key activists \u2013 and their close supporters \u2013 working for freedom and democracy in five countries: Robert Patino of Venezuela, Esraa Ahmed Fattah and Ahmed Maher of Egypt, Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia, Morgan Tsvangerai of Zimbabwe, and Viktor Yushchecko of Ukraine.<\/p>\n

Their stories are marked by incredible courage and sacrifice.<\/p>\n

Mr. Moses took his inspiration for the documentary from Larry Diamond, the author of the 2009 book \u201cThe Spirit of Democracy: The Struggle to Build Free Societies Throughout the World.\u201d \u00a0Ben Moses has won eight Emmys over the years and was the co-producer of the 1987 film \u201cGood Morning, Vietnam!\u201d<\/p>\n

The Rt. Hon, Kim Campbell, Canada\u2019s 19th<\/sup> prime minister, comments throughout; Alfred Molina narrates the animation portions of the film.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom a Whisper to a Roar\u201d makes several rounds of its subjects in a concentric way, \u00a0each one only a few moments long; enough to set the scene, introduce the audience to the people, their country\u2019s movement toward democracy and the subsequent struggle for the sake of the well-being of the people of that their nation.<\/p>\n

Of course, this is what everyone says when they move to take over a government.<\/p>\n

Each time the film moves to the next section a quotation appears; these form a thoughtful framework for the movie that shows how much these brave people suffer for the sake of democracy and freedom. I list some these quotes here; note the theme of integrity, non-violence, and the non-viability of oppression:<\/p>\n

If you want to test a man\u2019s character, give him power \u2013 Abraham Lincoln<\/p>\n

Hope is a risk that must be run \u2013 Georges Bernanos<\/p>\n

Poverty is the parent of revolution \u2013 Aristotle<\/p>\n

The greatest conqueror is the one that overthrows the enemy without a blow \u2013 Chinese proverb<\/p>\n

It\u2019s dangerous to be right when the government is wrong\u00a0 \u2013 Voltaire<\/p>\n

A mosquito can make the lion\u2019s head bleed \u2013 African proverb<\/p>\n

A spark may raise a formidable blaze \u2013 French proverb<\/p>\n

The story that opens the film seems like a fairytale that ends with the hero from the outside, representing the oppressed, thwarts the powers that be, and then becomes the oppressor. The film ends with the conclusion to the animated story: a young man says he cannot overcome an oppressor alone; that everyone must work together.<\/p>\n

This is a film worth watching.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s still playing in New York and Los Angeles but it only has a few days left. Click here for information. The DVD is due out in early 2013.<\/p>\n