Washington, D.C.– On Thursday, June 24 at 4:30 PM, AFI-Discovery Channel Silverdocs Documentary Festival will host the world premiere screening of BARBERSHOP PUNK, presented by filmmakers Georgia Sugimura Archer and Kristin Armfield.
The film tells the story of software engineer and avid barbershop quartet enthusiast Robb Topolski, whose attempts to track down legally-available, turn-of-the-century barbershop music online resulted in an unsettling discovery: his Internet Service Provider (ISP) was covertly restricting its users’ access to online content.
Faced with censorship by the nation’s largest cable company, Robb found himself at the center of a federal investigation and an unlikely player in one of the critical policy debates of the 21st century: network neutrality — the principle that protects the open internet. Net neutrality means that an ISP cannot block or restrict lawful content, sites and services. It also guarantees all users a voice on the most democratic communications platform in history. Although the internet was built on this principle, ISPs are eager to alter the arrangement.
Archer and Armfield expertly interweave Robb’s inspiring personal battle with perspectives from politicians, commentators and musicians on all sides of the issue. BARBERSHOP PUNK features appearances by comedian Janeane Garofolo, Electronic Frontier Foundation founder John Perry Barlow, as well as legendary D.I.Y.-trailblazers Henry Rollins and Ian Mackaye, who describe what it means to be “punk” in the digital age.
Tickets are available at the Silverdocs website:
Barbershop Punk official site:
http://barbershoppunk.com/
Immediately following the screening is a panel discussion featuring filmmaker Georgia Sugimura Archer; film subject Robb Topolski of New American Foundation, WGAW Independent Film Executive Kay Schaber Wolf and Future of Music Coalition Policy Director Michael Bracy.
Bracy, who also appears in the film, says net neutrality has always been a core concern for Future of Music Coalition. “When we founded FMC ten years ago, it was with the clear conviction that artists need to be able to compete on a level playing field online,” he says. “We’re thrilled with how BARBERSHOP PUNK makes these connections in such a unique and compelling way.”
Future of Music Coalition has long advocated for clear net neutrality rules that would preserve the open internet. Net neutrality is crucial to a legitimate digital music marketplace where all artists can use this powerful technology without interference from gatekeepers. In 2007, FMC launched the Rock the Net campaign with founding artists such as OK Go, Kronos Quartet, Pearl Jam, R.E.M. and more. In a few short months, Rock the Net grew to include thousands of musicians and independent labels. FMC remains dedicated to preserving the open internet, and has assisted musicians from all backgrounds in making their voices heard on the issue.
Rock the Net
http://www.futureofmusic.org/issues/campaigns/rock-net
Future of Music Coalition is a national non-profit education, research and advocacy organization that seeks a bright future for creators and listeners. FMC works towards this goal through continuous interaction with its primary constituency — musicians — and in collaboration with other creator/public interest groups. More