In a new and politically-charged short film for Document, filmmaker Diane Russo pays homage to the vital history of democracy’s one true lifeblood: a revolutionary spirit that reinforces that protest is timeless. We’re led into a Prohibition-era parlor, where a group of young adults can be seen swaying about the room to Scooter Island’s feminist anthem, “Not Yours.” Their bodies—of various ages, sizes, shapes, and colors—intertwine and break apart freely. It’s a revelrous and revolutionary scene—a dance of unbridled self-expression where each figure is both entirely individual and, at the same time, a triumphant participant in a collective ceremony. As police arrive and violence breaks out, a sobering montage begins: footage from the Women’s Liberation movements of the 60s and 70s flash across the screen followed by recent clips of Black Lives Matter, Human Rights Protests, and the 2017 Women’s March on Washington. These scenes are at once a rallying cry and a reminder that revolution is not confined to history books. As time marches on, new leaders and new abuses of power will inevitably rise, but we the people—in solidarity and in protest—have the incredible and undying potential to shake the foundations of society and begin a new chapter.
Director Diane Russo. Director of Photography Ryan Marie Helfant. Producer Ashley Suarez. Fashion Editor Nancy Goold. Prop Stylist Alexandra Kaucher. Casting Director Edward Kim at The Edit Desk. Production and Filming Matte Projects. Hair Yuhi Kim. Makeup Maki Hasagawa. Models Anna Cleveland, Riley Montana, Lina Hoss, Impy, Jay Wright, Lida Fox, Tamy Glauser, and Odette Pavlova at Next Model Management, Leigh “Lay Lay Lay” Ickowics, “Keeks” Beckles, Ariela “Lil Troubs” Zonenashvili, Luciann “Luci B” Berrios, Krystal “Wray” Wray, David “D Sprin” Cheng, and Nia “Godiva” Jenty at Bev Browns Dance Company, and Jacob Masvidal, David, and Wasserman Oxenfree ft. Doll Face Dagger. Assistant Director Erick Lagunes. 1st Assistant Camera Gary Bardizban. 2nd Assistant Camera Levi Sherman. Gaffer Pat O’Callaghan. Best Boy Electric Clavin Laszakovitz. Key Grip Matt Reilly. Grip Andrea Boglioli. Editor Bernice Gonzalez Bofil. Post Production CVLT. Post Production Producer Alexandra Mangum and Olu Ogunrinu. Color Correction Michael Dwass. Music Supervisor Jasmine Flott. Sound Design Matthew Polis. BTS Photographer Max Hirschberger. Production Assistants Kenny Chan and Erica Fishman . Fashion Assistant Vance Gamble. Hair Assistant Kazuhide Katahira and Tomohiko Shibata. Makeup Assistant Aimi Osada and Kenji.
