The Fundy Film Society

Everyday Rebellion

Conceived and directed by the Riahi brothers, Everyday Rebellion is an impressionistic documentary essay as well as a web platform about non-violent forms of protest and civil disobedience in the 21st century. A project about methods of resistance supported by technology, seen not only through the current movements of the Arabian and Iranian uprisings, but also through former successful and less successful revolts. The film describes the everyday conscious and subconscious of resistance of societies fighting suppression and repression.

“What does the Occupy movement in New York have in common with the Spanish Indignados protests or the Arab Spring? Is there a connection between the struggle of the Iranian democracy movement and the nonviolent uprising in Syria and what is the link between the Ukrainian topless activists of Femen and an Islamic culture like Egypt? And to top it off, what do Serbia and Turkey have to do with all this?

The reasons for the various people’s uprisings in these countries may be diverse, but the creative nonviolent tactics they use in their struggles are strongly connected to each other. So are the activists who share these strategies, new ideas and established methods. Everyday Rebellion is a story about the richness of peaceful protest, acted out every day by passionate people from Spain, Iran, Syria, Ukraine, USA, UK and Serbia. These methods are inventive, funny and sometimes even aggressive. And the activists who use them believe that creative nonviolent protest will win over violent protest— and they are right. Nonviolence has scientifically been proven to be more effective and successful than violent protest. And the users of nonviolence are feared because they are rapidly changing the world and challenging dictatorships as well as global corporations.

Everyday Rebellion is a tribute to the creativity of the nonviolent resistance. The project studies the consequences of a modern and rapidly changing society where new forms of protest to challenge the power of dictatorships and sometimes also global corporations are invented every day. Everyday Rebellion wants to give voice to all those who decide not to use violence to try changing a violent system. Because, as Ghandi said: ‘First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win’.” (http://www.everydayrebellion.net/the-project/)

“A striking documentary that shows that non-violent forms of protest and civil disobedience can change the world, Everyday Rebellion is made with languid grace and insight by directors and brothers Arash and Arman Riahi, and it gently underscores how violence isn’t the only answer.” (Mark Adams, Screen Daily)

“As this intelligent film proves it is the smaller, more personal stance that may ultimately make the bigger difference.” (Damon Wise, The Guardian)