Uprising
Directed by Fredrik Stanton
In January 2011, millions of Egyptians took to the streets in a spontaneous eruption against thirty years of oppression under the regime of Hosni Mubarak. Communicating via Facebook and Twitter, the largely peaceful protesters braved tear gas, beatings, and live bullets in the hope of facing down security forces and overthrowing the government. Over eight hundred lost their lives, and several thousand were arrested and tortured by security forces.
UPRISING tells the story of the Egyptian revolution from the perspective of its leadership and key organizers, their struggle for freedom against tremendous odds, their sacrifice, and the courage and ingenuity that allowed them to succeed. Featuring major figures including four Nobel Peace Prize nominees, several Egyptian presidential candidates, the former foreign ministers of Egypt and Jordan, and former US Ambassadors and White House officials, along with never before seen footage, UPRISING provides the authoritative behind-the scenes view of one of the most dramatic events of our generation.
Awards won
Best Documentary - St. Louis International Film Festival
Best Documentary - Silicon Valley Film Festival
Best Documentary - Lone Star Film Festival
Best Documentary – Kansas City Film Festival
Best Feature Film – Beverly Film Festival
Honorable Mention – Fargo Film Festival
Honorable Mention – International Film Festival for Environment, Health, and Culture
Grand Jury Prize for Best Feature Film – Richmond Film Festival
Best of Festival - Alexandria Film Festival
Golden Reel Award – Nevada Film Festival
Special Jury Prize - California Film Awards
Breakthrough Filmmaker Award – Phoenix Film Festival
Royal Reel Award – Canada Film Festival
One in a Million Award – Sun Valley Film Festival
Reviews
A concise commemoration of a new society’s birth pains.... Puts events in context by skillfully blending interviews (and) makes great use of footage filmed by demonstrators.
Few viewers will fail to be moved.
A stirring piece of work.
The rebellion (is) laid out in absorbing, you-are-there fashion in the documentary.
Takes a clear, cohesive approach to the spontaneous events at its center.
