Written, Produced & Directed by Steve York
Series Editor: Peter Ackerman
Executive Producer: Jack DuVall
Managing Producer: Miriam A. Zimmerman
Languages: Amharic, Arabic, Burmese, Chinese (Mandarin), English,Farsi, French, Hebrew, Indonesian, Italian, Nepali, Pashto, Polish,Russian, Spanish and Vietnamese
Format: NTSC or PAL
Number of discs: 2
Studio: A Force More Powerful Films
DVD Release Date: September 1, 2000
Run Time: 154 minutes
ASIN: B0013A1IH0
Film website: www.aforcemorepowerful.org
A free study guide for the series is available for download here
Buy the English NTSC version now from Amazon
All translated versions and PAL copies are available here
DESCRIPTION:
A Force More Powerful explores how popular movements battled entrenched regimes and military forces with weapons very different from guns and bullets. Strikes, boycotts, and other actions were used as aggressive measures to battle opponents and win concessions. Petitions, parades, walkouts and demonstrations roused public support for the resisters. Forms of non-cooperation including civil disobedience helped subvert the operations of government, and direct intervention in the form of sit-ins, nonviolent sabotage, and blockades have frustrated many rulers’ efforts to suppress people.
The historical results were massive: tyrants toppled, governments overthrown, occupying armies impeded, and political systems that withheld human rights shattered. Entire societies were transformed, suddenly or gradually, by nonviolent resistance that destroyed opponents’ ability to control events. These events and the ideas underlying nonviolent action are the focus of this three-hour documentary production.
The series begins in 1907 with a young Mohandas Gandhi, the most influential leader in the history of nonviolent resistance, as he rouses his fellow Indians living in South Africa to a nonviolent struggle against racial oppression. The series recounts Gandhi’s civil disobedience campaign against the British in India; the sit-ins and boycotts that desegregated downtown Nashville, Tennessee; the nonviolent campaign against apartheid in South Africa; Danish resistance to the Nazis in World War II; the rise of Solidarity in Poland; and the momentous victory for democracy in Chile. A Force More Powerful also introduces several extraordinary, but largely unknown individuals who drove these great events forward.
Few who relied on nonviolent sanctions in the 20th century did so because of a principled attachment to nonviolence. For some, arms were unavailable as a way to fight. Others had seen a violent insurrection fail, at devastating cost to life and property. They had no desire to be passive: they wanted passionately to overturn the rulers or the laws that subjected them, and they found a way.
The greatest misconception about conflict is that violence is the ultimate form of power, surpassing other methods of advancing a just cause or defeating injustice. But in conflict after conflict throughout the 20th century, people have proven otherwise. At a time when violence is still too often used by those who seek power, A Force More Powerful dramatizes how ordinary people throughout the world, working against all kinds of opponents, have taken up nonviolent weapons and prevailed.
Originally released as a feature-length film that played in festivals worldwide, A Force More Powerful was expanded into a 3-hour television series now available on DVD in both the NTSC and PAL television systems, and in the following languages:
REVIEWS AND AWARDS FOR THE TELEVISION SERIES:
“Journalistically, A Force More Powerful brings much honor to PBS and the individuals and groups that funded the film. The film is a work of art because, first, it is a work of fact.”
–Colman McCarthy, The National Catholic Reporter
“Outstanding…”
–Jim Hoagland, The Washington Post
“Gripping…”
–The Wall Street Journal
“In a time when there are so few authentic heroes, A Force More Powerful shows all of us – young and old alike – people who take principled risks far beyond their own self-interest.”
–Nat Hentoff, Syndicated Columnist
“An important, carefully made, and fascinating documentary that investigates nonviolent resistance movements that have succeeded around the world.”
–The Christian Science Monitor
“…rich in archival footage and thoughtful interviews….The stories are inspiring, sometimes awesome.”
–The Washington Post
“Expect more than a passive chronicle of nonviolence… A Force More Powerful’s stark footage and personal stories add drama to the history of a 20th century movement.”
–The Los Angeles Times
“Smartly made…”
–L.A. Weekly
“A triumphant chronicle…”
–Los Angeles Sentinel
“Splendid work. It explains and elucidates – just about the best missions that television can achieve.”
–The Hollywood Reporter
Emmy Nomination – Outstanding Historical Program
Gold Hugo Award – Chicago International Television Competition
Chris Award – Columbus International Film and Video Festival
Silver Screen Award – U.S. International Film and Video Festival
Jan Karski Award for Films of Moral Courage
Telly Award
REVIEWS AND AWARDS FOR THE FILM:
“Outstanding… a veritable manual on how to mount a successful nonviolent resistance movement… .”
–The Los Angeles Times
“…beautiful footage… this film is eloquent testimony to the power of the people’s desire to be free.”
–Time Out New York
“…this is a lovely, rich documentary.a rousing look at 90-some years of nonviolence….”
–Seattle Weekly
“A thoughtful new documentary that magnifies the moral victories of the 20th century… remarkable archival footage… there are no fictional characters or trumped up dialogue here; the filmmakers let participants speak in their own voices…”
–The Christian Science Monitor
“…passionately instructive and ferociously interesting…”
–Brent Simon, Entertainment Today
Gold Special Jury Award – WorldFest Houston International Film Festival
Moxie Award for Best Documentary – The Santa Monica International Film Festival
Official Selections: Seattle International Film Festival, Human Rights Watch Film Festival-London, Nashville Independent Film Festival, Maine International Film Festival, Newport Beach International Film Festival, Sedona International Film Festival, Santa Barbara Film Festival