Shouting Fire: Stories from the Edge of Free Speech (2009)

First Amendment attorney Martin Garbus talks about the history and current state of free speech in America

Director:

Liz Garbus

Stars:

Martin Garbus, Liz Garbus, Ken Starr

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Martin Garbus	...	Himself, attorney, father of Liz Garbus
Liz Garbus	...	Herself, daughter of Martin Garbus
Ken Starr	...	Himself, dean, Pepperdine University (as Kenneth Starr)
Jack M. Sleeth	...	Himself, first amendment attorney
Eric Foner	...	Himself, professor, Columbia University
Josh Wolf	...	Himself, blogger
Donna Lieberman	...	Herself, executive director, New York Civil Liberties Union
William Bradford Huie	...	Himself (archive footage)
Richard Posner	...	Himself, judge, U. S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
J. Edgar Hoover	...	Himself (archive footage)
Joseph McCarthy	...	Himself (archive footage)
Joseph N. Welch	...	Himself (archive footage)
Joan Wallach Scott	...	Herself, professor, Princeton University
Ward Churchill	...	Himself, author, professor of ethnic studies
Alan Colmes	...	Himself (archive footage)

Storyline

A documentary look at the changing interpretations of the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution - laws and court cases that have alternatively broadened and narrowed the amendment's protection of free speech and assembly. The film's thesis is that post-9/11 the government has seized unprecedented license to surveil, intimidate, arrest, and detain citizens and foreigners alike. The film also looks back to the Pentagon Papers' case and compares it to cases since 9/11 dealing with high school students' speech and protesters marching in New York City during the 2004 Republican convention. Comment comes from a range of scholars, pundits, and advocates.

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Plot Keywords:

first amendment | free speech | constitution | interview | christianity | 

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Genres:

Documentary

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

January 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ett nödrop för yttrandefriheten

Company Credits

Production Co:

HBO Documentary Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

75 min 75 min (TV) (PAL)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Features Animal Farm (1954)

User Reviews

The best documentary I've ever seen !

I LOVE this movie ! It is amazing.

If you get a chance to see it - don't miss the opportunity ! It's playing on HBO these days. (Thank you HBO for the courage to show such a controversial documentary.) Why is this movie controversial ? Because it is SO political. It is probably about the most political movie you will ever see.

I think this single movie may do more to change your view of the world than any other movie you've ever seen.

The director of this movie - Liz Garbus - gives us an incredible portrait of her father - the courageous fighter for free speech - Martin Garbus. I can't imagine any child ever creating a more powerful tribute to their parent.

I watch this movie and I LOVE this guy. He is a true hero.

In the age of spreading fear by the government and unprecedented attacks on free speech by the Bush mob - this movie yells "Stop !" "Think." "Let's look at things from an unpopular point of view." I can't describe just how incredible this movie is. But you may hate it if it threatens your deeply held (but unquestioned) beliefs.

This movie is highly, highly political. You will love it or hate it.

I thank Liz Garbus for introducing me to her lovely father.

He is truly a beautiful man.