This film is about the world's most radical idea - freedom - and how it is transforming the world. It is about how people all over the globe - from Tunisian rappers to Indian comedians, from America's #BlackLivesMatter activists to Hong Kong's students - are joining the struggle for freedom.

Interview with Writer/Director Rupert Russell

Watch Freedom for the Wolf on Prime Video, iTunes and Vimeo on demand

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

It was clear that in 2014 that the promise of peace and prosperity - which I had grown up with in the 1990s - was turning into chaos and backlash. I wanted to find out why.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

Everyday we are bombarded with a confusing and horrifying headlines all over the world. This film is the first to connect the dots.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

This film is about an ancient and universal idea - freedom. What does freedom mean across the world? How can the idea of freedom liberate us? And oppress us?

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

There's a saying in anthropology. Half of anthropologists go around the world and are amazed at home different everyone is. The other half are amazed at how similar everyone is. We started as the former and ended as the latter. We expected to see a great diversity of ideas of freedom, what we found was a global convergence. Everywhere, people saw freedom as under threat by the police, corruption, and the failure of democratically elected parties.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

Only reinforced it. We've been screening the film at festivals and the audience response have been tremendous.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

We want to get our message out there! Freedom and democracy are worth fighting for.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

Film sales are represented by Cinephil, we are in talks with distributors.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

We want people to think, and to act. Oscar Wilde said that socialism would never happen because it would require too many meetings. I feel the same way about freedom and liberal democracy today. Go and have a meeting! Organize!

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

The idea of freedom has never been more popular across the world. So why is it under unprecedented threat?

Would you like to add anything else?

Audiences frequently call it an intellectual horror movie.

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

I just completed a series of animated shorts on Trump and madness called How the World Went Mad. Produced by Docsville, they're coming out soon.

Interview: January 2018

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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTIAQ+, scifi, horror, world cinema. 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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Freedom for the Wolf

The Real Story of Fake Democracy

Length: 90'

Director: Rupert Russell

Producer: Camilla Hall and Patrick Hamm

Writer: Rupert Russell

About the writer, director and producer:

Rupert Russell' debut feature documentary Freedom For The Wolf has screened at Slamdance, Sheffield Doc/Fest, IDFA, and many others.

PRODUCERS:

Patrick Hamm is a filmmaker, producer, and founder of Bulldog Agenda, a Berlin-based production company. His debut as documentary producer, Freedom For The Wolf, took him to the frontlines of protest movements around the world.

Camilla Hall is a documentary director and producer based in Los Angeles. Her directing debut Copwatch premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival 2017.

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

Nick Fraser is the founder and editor of Yaddo, an international, subscription-based online documentary platform. He was formerly the editor of Storyville, the BBC’s successful and long-running series of international documentaries. Awards won by Storyville programmes include an Oscar, Sundance prizes, Peabody awards, IDFA trophies and Griersons.

Key cast: Francis Fukuyana, Lawrence Lessig, Orlando Patterson, Larry Diamond

Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists): Distributors, journalists, buyers.

Social media handles: @Freedom4TheWolf (twitter and FB)

Facebook: @Freedom4TheWolf

Twitter: @Freedom4TheWolf

Made in association with: Bulldog Agenda and Observatory.