A documentary filmmaker has a certain latitude for collapsing time and combining narration, image and sound with archival footage and interviews in order to produce a narrative that is compelling and that distills a distinct point of view. Still, she or he needs to stay within some limit of true representation of facts, and should provide evidence for the POV. Otherwise, the work produced becomes a mere propaganda film. We believe that Marion Lipschutz and Rose Rosenblatt's film Live Free or Die has strayed beyond acceptable limits and fallen into the category of the propaganda film proper. This site is dedicated to a critique of Live Free or Die, made with the hope that persons of good will on both sides of the "abortion wars" will agree that a work of propaganda that inflames passions and serves up more heat than light does not serve the goals of anyone on either side of the public discourse on abortion.
We assume that you have either viewed this film or are interested in
its critique for other reasons, perhaps in anticipation of its being shown
on your campus or in your community. We make no introduction to the film.
The best introduction to what the filmmakers intended and believe they
accomplished is found at PBS'
official POV 200 web site or Human
Rights Watch's endorsement and information page.
"Your
Critical Mind: Don't Watch This Film Without It"
Distortions
contained in Live Free or Die
"Live
Free Or Die: Show Me the Terrorists!" by Rae D'Orazio Stabosz
Archival
film footage shows what the filmmakers omitted
An
Open Letter to Amnesty International & Human Rights Watch
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