I Know I'm Not Alone

November 20, 2006 9:30 AM

I Know I'm Not Alone: 10 minute embedded video interview of Michael Franti regarding his jaunt to Iraq (and Palestine/Israel), originally broadcast on CBC's The Hour.
posted by edgeways (16 comments total)

Nothing, you know, earth shattering. But I thought it was interesting.
posted by edgeways at 9:31 AM on November 20, 2006

You should see the entire film.
It's very humbling and it's quite a different perspective on the active creative culture you never get to see of these areas.

That and Franti is the nicest guy in the world.
posted by blastrid at 9:47 AM on November 20, 2006

that's be the second embedded video FPP this morning involving someone named Michael that I couldn't view because I use Linux. I smell conspiracy.
posted by mcstayinskool at 9:47 AM on November 20, 2006

HOW YOU FEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELINNNNNNNNNNNN?
posted by StrasbourgSecaucus at 10:03 AM on November 20, 2006

You'd think if he's gonna be on national television, he'd at least bother to put on a pair of shoes.
posted by skullbee at 10:23 AM on November 20, 2006

@ mcstayinskool

Have you ever tried this?
posted by zouhair at 10:51 AM on November 20, 2006

saw the entire film a few weeks ago when a group hosted a screening in Denver

the film doesn't disguise its awkward but genuine moments, and makes no attempt to be comprehensive or balanced, but i got a much more tangible sense of Baghdad & the West Bank than i have from the huge amount of media reports i've read/heard; (the portions filmed in Israel didn't gel as much for me)

my favorite scene is how Franti negotiates with the Israeli border guard who asks him to stop playing guitar
posted by sporobolus at 10:57 AM on November 20, 2006

Personally, I have always preferred Franti's second-most famous group, The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy. Sort of a urban-yuppie Public Enemy, DHOH (along with the all-but-forgotten New Kingdom) paved the way via hip-hop for Rage Against The Machine. Here's the video for Television (Drug of a Nation), more impactful than ever after 14 years.
posted by mongonikol at 11:24 AM on November 20, 2006

What was the entire film? Something made for TV?
posted by cell divide at 11:30 AM on November 20, 2006

I really like the album (Yell Fire) that Franti put together out of his trip and movie project. I heard one of the tunes -- Light up Ya Lighter -- on my satellite radio thingy on my ride home from work one day last June. It stuck with me:

The army recruiters in the parking lot,
Hustling the kids there juggling pot.
"Listen young man, listen to my plan.
Gonna make you money, gonna make you a man."
Bam, bam.
Here's what you get: An M16 and a kevlar vest.
You might come home with one less leg,
But this thing'll surely keep a bullet out your chest.
So come on, come on. Sign-up. Come on.
This one is nothing like Viet Nam.
Except for the bullets. Except for the bombs.
Except for the youth that's gone.

(Appologies to Mr. Franti. I was taking dictation from the PC speakers.)
posted by mmahaffie at 12:06 PM on November 20, 2006

Never heard of him before. This was good. He's got a new fan. Thanks.
posted by tkchrist at 2:48 PM on November 20, 2006

Franti wears no shoes because too large a segment of the human race can't afford them, and because he thinks it keeps him a little more grounded. I met him in Osaka this year and he has to be one of the most grounded and "real" lead singers I've ever met. I dug DHoH in college, and lean more towards that genre of music, but there is a definite vibe growing amongst his nouveau-hippie-hop-reggaefied fans...a willingness to get involved...that makes me feel kinda hopeful. It's been a long time since I felt that way.

I recommend the full documentary, and I can think of a whole lotta people on the planet who need his simple reminder that we all just "Stay Human"....
posted by squasha at 3:58 PM on November 20, 2006

Thanks for this, I love Franti's voice (as well as what he's saying) and it's aalways good to hear more about the good things he's doing.
posted by jessamyn at 4:39 PM on November 20, 2006

I was surprised that no one ever did an FPP about the documentary. It's pretty heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time, just like the music. The film might have come off as pretty self-serving but his honesty and courage really shine through. No one else could possibly have done this remarkable thing Michael Franti did.
posted by Slarty Bartfast at 9:36 PM on November 20, 2006

The documentary is very moving and thought-provoking. The album is also excellent. To new fans, I also reccomend the previous Spearhead albums Stay Human and Everyone Deserves Music
posted by eustacescrubb at 7:11 AM on November 21, 2006

With the rare exception of people like Gil Scott-Heron, songs by musicians pushing political points usually don't make it. When I discovered DHoH I was amazed at how intelligent, full of information the lyrics were while at the same time the music was so lively, vibrant. The first three songs on the debut album are especially magnificent.

Another interview with Franti about his documentary is found here. He seems to be a great guy.
posted by LeLiLo at 6:46 AM on November 22, 2006