Rip! A Remix Manifesto
Brett Gaylor
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Plot Summary
Filmmaker and Web activist Brett Gaylor explores copyright issues in the information age in this documentary focusing on the controversy surrounding Girl Talk, a popular mash-up artist who takes existing songs and transforms them into something fresh and original. By the mere act of creating his popular, sample-based songs, Girl Talk has incurred the wrath of copyright lawyers across the world. While some celebrate Girl Talk as a true pop-culture innovator, others condemn him as a 21st Century media outlaw. But reality is never as simple as black and white, as viewers quickly discover through interviews with such cultural critics as Creative Commons founder Lawrence Lessig, Brazilian Minister of Culture Gilberto Gil, and BoingBoing.net founder Cory Doctorow. As the lines of battle are drawn in the sand, everyone will be forced to choose a side. The world's first "open source" documentary, RiP: A remix manifesto was created in part by movie lovers and music fans, who were encouraged to remix raw film footage posted by the director on opensourcemedia.com.
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Rotten Tomatoes Movie Reviews
TOMATOMETER
40%- Reviews Counted: 10
- Fresh: 4
- Rotten: 6
- Average Rating: 5.1/10
Top Critics' Reviews
Rotten: A half-baked, poorly argued assault on the very notion of the sanctity of intellectual property posing as cutting-edge cinema.
Fresh: A forceful, vibrant and immensely entertaining call to action.
Rotten: There are better guides to the subject than Gaylor, who discusses everything from Napster to pharmaceutical patents without ever varying his dated we-the-people rhetoric.
Rotten: There is a feeling, as the film goes on, that a more subtle, sophisticated debate is being sacrificed in the interests of a video clip.
Customer Reviews
Not Just For Girltalk Fans...
I found this video history of the link between creativity and copyright infringement to be fascinating. From Mickey Mouse (stolen! by Disney!) up to Girl Talk today (who takes the viewer through his creative process), there has for a long time been a tug of war between people borrowing/sampling/remixing and the enforcement of copyright. Via taking a novel look at some of our most innovative and iconic pop culture, the filmakers put forth a convincing argument that forces such as the RIAA, by seeking to uphold stricter-than-ever before copyright laws, are seeking to squash innovation and artistic expression.
fascinating
I first heard about this at South by Southwest reports. So glad I get the opportunity to see it through iTunes now! This is a really well-researched and confidently argued documentary about copyright law. The film really won me over by juxtaposing the music business with other areas of life by discussing medical and national concerns.
Must See
This movie is an enthralling and comprehensive look at the Remix culture and copyright laws. It is brisk and entertaining, and when it ends you are compelled to read and learn more.
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