Dogtown Redemption launches street media collaboration to amplify voices of the poor
OAKLAND, Calif., May 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --
WATCH this innovative Street Media Collaboration in action:
http://www.dogtownredemption.com/for-benefit-media/
Forget streaming and virtual reality. Dogtown Redemption, a documentary about shopping cart recyclers, and Street Spirit, a newspaper covering homelessness in the San Francisco East Bay, have launched an interactive "For-Benefit" media campaign to create products, media and markets that serve the poor.
Dogtown Redemption premiered nationwide on PBS' critically acclaimed series Independent Lens on May 16 and is streaming online through August 15. Shot over seven years, the film shows how recycling is a lifeline for an abandoned underclass that survives off trash.
Street Spirit devoted its entire May issue to Dogtown Redemption. Coverage includes articles about the film, the City of Oakland's plans to shut down Alliance Metals, the West Oakland recycling center, in August 2016—and the consequences for hundreds of marginal recyclers.
Street Spirit's network of 100 homeless street vendors in the East Bay are now selling this special issue of the paper, with a Dogtown Redemption DVD for $10.00. Proceeds go to the vendors, increasing their income ten times.
"Poor people in Oakland have lives that are as meaningful and as important as any lives in America," said Street Spirit editor Terry Messman. "Dogtown Redemption is fighting to restore their dignity and humanity on the national stage and we want to support that with every bit of energy we can give."
"The idea behind our For-Benefit campaign is to collaborate with media that serves and benefits the poor," said filmmaker Amir Soltani. "The recyclers in our film taught us to look at poverty through the prism of potential, agency, and creativity, not prejudice and pity. We would like to expand this pilot project through other organizations in cities across America."
"It has been said that a film isn't really finished until it is shared with its audience," said Rahdi Taylor, Film Fund Director for the Sundance Film Institute Documentary Program, who also contributed to the special issue. "The collaboration between Dogtown Redemption and Street Spirit strikes a landmark strategy for bringing this timely film to the audience it was made for. In the process, Street Spirit is extending its micro-economic opportunities for its sellers."
Dogtown Redemption is a production of TurningTime, LLC
SOURCE TurningTime, LLC
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