Awareness Film Festival / Heartland Film Festival - Show Me Democracy
Amidst the uprising in Ferguson, 7 St. Louis college students evolve into advocates and activists as they demand change through policy and protest.
Interview with Writer, Director, Producer Dan Parris
Watch Show Me Democracy on Tubi
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
As a white male originally from a more affluent part of the city (though I experienced financial hardship too), I think my privilege offered me an interesting perspective. Living in the city, being married to a social worker, and volunteering in our city’s public schools gave me some insight on inequality. Growing up white in well-funded school districts in the suburbs, I also understood what the majority was thinking about the Ferguson protests. One of my biggest realizations was that when we were talking about Ferguson and the Black Lives Matter movement, people are often talking in code about very different things.
Often when white people from the suburbs heard about protests in Ferguson and Black Lives Matter, they imagined burning buildings, overturned cars, hate directed at police officers, or things like that. When my black friends were involved in or talked about the protests, they saw those events as fighting for justice, fighting for “US.” This is what you will see in the film: struggling schools; lack of quality housing; lack of opportunity; as well as personal experiences with police profiling. In the film, you’ll hear individuals thinking about their friends who have been shot by the police and about structural inequality that’s been in place for hundreds of years. Among us, we are often using the same words while talking about different things. As a community, we’ve been having two different conversations.
My hope is that the film challenges audiences to consider the way they view the Ferguson Movement and the underlying issues of race, poverty, undocumented students, our current educational system and most importantly, what role individuals can play in our messy democracy. As Brittany says, “Every person has a role to play.” Your voice is a gift and a chance to make sure the idea of “nothing about, without me” rings true in your community as well. Engagement in democracy is as important now as it has ever been.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Show Me Democracy functions as a powerful tool that educates young people on not only the need for educational advocacy, but the power they have to affect change for themselves and those around them. Too often young people are dismissed as a group without the right to have their views considered or their interests independently represented at any level of decision making. One of the film’s taglines represents that well “Nothing about me, without me.” Our audiences will realize they have the capacity, potential, power, and right to speak up on those issues that directly affect them and their peers.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
This is my 4th documentary and every single one is connected by two themes. First, so far all of my films have dealt with wide ranging social justice issues including extreme poverty, human trafficking, mental illness and civil rights/civil engagement. Secondly, that young people can make a huge, positive impact in the world and they will come alive when they do it.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?
Since it's a documentary, I didn’t know what to expect in many ways. I knew there would be something related to the Ferguson Uprising, but didn’t realize how big a role education and advocacy would play.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
The film played on national TV and over 250,000 people watched it. Every week we have a new group interested in screening the film to their community, so there has been a great response. I think my favorite response is when people who didn’t know much about the issues in the film come away with a much greater respect and empathy as well taking some time to comprehend their own privilege.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
I am definitely still in process on many of the topics in the film, so I really love those consistent challenges to my point of view. I get those often, though I do think many folks who disagree with the film don’t share their thoughts but say general statements like “very well done”.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?
We are still looking for a VOD distributor and international distribution, so that would be great. We are also looking for schools and organizations to use the film as a primer for community discussions. They can learn more about that at www.showmedemocracy.com.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
I think all those connections would be great, and we are looking for an organization that would love to assist in our impact campaign because right now its mostly me doing the work.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
I would love to have 300 or more community screenings where there is a panel or speakers from the film that have a dialogue about race, education, DACA, Ferguson, democracy, etc. It would also be great to see programs like the Active Advocacy program featured in the film pop up around the country where students were learning to advocate on policies that affect other students.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
How do you feel about the Black Brunch scene in the film? Was it effective?
Would you like to add anything else?
Would love for people to visit www.showmedemocracy.com to learn more.
What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?
I continue to work with much of the crew on our non-profit, Continuity (www.continuitystl.com). Our mission is to expand diversity in media production in St. Louis. Also, I know the composer, JR, is releasing an album soon. Last of all, we are currently looking for our next documentary project and open to pitches/partners.
Interview: October 2017
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
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Show Me Democracy
Amidst the uprising in Ferguson, 7 St. Louis college students evolve into advocates and activists as they demand change through policy and protest.
Length: 85 minutes
Director, Producer, Writer, Editor: Dan Parris
About the writer, director and producer:
Dan Parris is an award-winning filmmaker and owner of Speak Up Productions, a St. Louis based film production company focused on documentaries and media content for non-profits. He’s the director of the feature length documentaries When the Saints, Show Me Democracy and the award-winning film What Matters? Dan was the closing speaker at the 2014 TEDxGatewayArch City 2.0 event. Most recently, Dan co-founded the non-profit, Continuity, whose mission is to expand diversity in media production.
Key cast: Brittany Ferrell, Karina Arango, Robert Elam, Faith Sandler, Karissa Anderson, Amber Overton, Derion Tabb, Jocelyn Posos
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists):
All of the above! We have a lecture agent, educational distributor, broadcaster, and have played at a few festivals, but would love to do more.
Social media handles:
Facebook: @showmedemocracy
Twitter: @showmedemocracy
Instagram: @showmedemocracy
Other: www.showmedemocracy.com
Funders: Missouri Humanities Council, St. Louis Community Foundation
Made in association with: The Scholarship Foundation of St. Louis
Where can I see it in the next month? Heartland Film Festival on Oct 16 & 17th