Doc/Fest - Sheffield

RIP offers the prospect of putting Elton John in a headlock... and pouring beer over his head. OK, not literally, but that’s how musician Girl Talk describes his work. A mash-up artist whose music is based on samples of pre-existing tracks (by the likes of, yes, Elton John), Girl Talk is one of the subjects profiled by Brett Gaylor in his fascinating study of the grip that existing copyright has on freedom of speech. In this playful, humorous film Gaylor examines the way “big media” stifles the creative exchange of ideas that feed cultural growth by criminalising acts like downloading. Along the way we’re offered some persuasively unorthodox insights into the past, such as the suggestion Walt Disney was one of the first mash-up artists. At once a manifesto for change and a provocation, Gaylor sails close to the wind in excerpting copyrighted material under the “fair use” provision. The movie’s rousing conclusion suggests that developing countries like Brazil (which have always embraced the hybrid nature of cultural production) point the way forward for our digital
age.

*Extended Q&A with Cory Doctorow on Thursday, November 5th!

“a forceful, vibrant and immensely entertaining call to action - The Globe and Mail

“a true work of art" - IndieWire