michael franti's documentary "i know i'm not alone"
Please see this documentary that Michael Franti of the band Spearhead made. It's called I Know I'm Not Alone. It's really good! If you like people and you like Michael Franti, or if you just like music, you will like this film. It's really beautiful.
The late film director Anthony Minghella (English Patient, Cold Mountain) said, "Watch this film then insist that Michael Franti becomes President of the United States."
Serj Tankian of the band System of A Down said, "Michael's a modern minstrel weaving stories of war and occupation into his heart of peace, giving us hope, not just tears. The film is powerful, honest, and touching."
If you're new to Michael Franti, here is a video of him singing "Hey World"
I was lucky enough to meet Franti in New York when I was doing a play on Broadway some nine or so years ago. My friend Renee, (Renee was not in the film, but she was also dragging us to the show) and Tom Balanco, who is in I Know I'm Not Alone with Franti, insisted we go see him. We got there too late, so we stood outside and watched from outside as people danced their butts off! Jumping, happy, sweaty people – when they came out, they looked so happy! We missed the show, but Renee and I sat on his tour bus with him, and that was my first intro to this wonderful man.
At the same time, whenever I was at Woody and Laura's house, I would hear this amazing album and ask "who is this?" And they always said, "Oh that's Spearhead!" Anywho, I had many great moments with Franti over the years, seeing him play and hearing his music, and spending time with him. And to top it all off, he played at my wedding! I can't even express how insanely lucky Christopher and I were that he did that for us. It was truly beautiful. He is an amazing man, doing amazing things. He is such a talented and wonderful artist – his album Stay Human is so good! You cannot go to a Franti show and not have fun.
Anywho, please check out this film. Michael Franti goes to Baghdad and Gaza to meet the people, and just play music and talk and laugh with them – in the middle of war and occupation. It's really heart-warming, educational, and informative – a really great journey. In the film he says "I'm on the side of the peacemakers, no matter where they come from." I love that!
After you watch it, tell me what you think! It's truly worth it, I promise.
16 comments
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Sara - I agree! listening to Franti in the morning is a great start to a day!
I have been watching him perform for many years, and I've showed my students I Know I'm Not Alone - they love it! He's very inspiriing.
Love you all! Pam
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VaLeNTiNe*s BeNeFiT // 2011~~ thought i'd shout out to u..
... my name is ReW & i am a very conscientious VeGEtariAN, {vegan...i eat honey sometimes}, and i have been asked by a very wonderful organization to put together a benefit on Valentine's day. It is for healthy school lunches and called the
New York Coalition for Healthy School Food//please Check out their new website:www.healthyschoolfood.org
Every year I organize a VaLentiNe*S Benefit in memory of my brother, Dicky, who's birthday is Feb 15.
It is an event in the evening with talent & lots of fun celebrating his life. This year I would LoVe to bring awareness to the Vegan/vegetarian world. Should you be or know anyone who would like to participate in this event PLEASE contact me ASAP. We want the event to be out of this world fabulous. Thank you so much ... HAppy HoLiDaZe DaY!!
On another note, I host *ReW & WhO?* the weekly web show & u KNOW i would luV to have YOU on as a guest...
LuV<
ReW*
--
*Rew & WhO?* wednesdayz 4-6pm
'riZing starz & living legendz'
{OpRaH meets ReW YoRk CiTy}
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/rew-who -
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I have heard his music before, specifically the song in the video, and he is a beautiful soul.
Lets all just do the very best we can...
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You should definitely check out Michael in Power to the Peaceful Yoga with David Life and Sharon Gannon. All the music is written by Franti and it is both challenging and inspirational.
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thanks for sharing this alicia. This is beautiful and touching song. So inspiring. I love it.
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Should anyone feel the need to respond about Alicia's recent comments, here is a thread that was started, just to keep this thread about Franti focused on Franti, and not devolve into a convo about use/label/meaning/goal, etc of veg*nism:
http://www.thekindlife.com/forum/thread/alicia-is-gasp-a-human-being
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Alicia, I have been very disappointed to read in recent media articles such statements as:
"If I was at a party and there was a tray of cheese sitting there and I had had drinks, then I might have a bite,
If I'm rigid about it and I'm perfect, then no one is going to be able to be like me because I'll be this icey, rigid thing."
If those are the sorts of compromises you are willing to make then do so if you can justify it to yourself. But PLEASE stop calling yourself a vegan. It does a lot of damage to those who truly are working towards animal rights because it makes people think that it's OK to indulge in a bit of exploitation now and then when it's not. Would you consider it acceptable to compromise on human rights issues every now and then to not make people feel uncomfortable? If your answer is no, then don't compromise on animal rights if you take it seriously. Otherwise if you need to label yourself with a title, perhaps "flexitarian" would be more appropriate?
I hope you won't be taking the latter path and that you will embrace veganism and see that it isn't in fact an icy, rigid path but a very, very easy one that opens up a whole new world to people. I don't think people would see you as any less warm than you are for sticking up for animals. In fact I'm sure they'd respect your strong and consistent stance.
Love and peace.
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Alicia,
what song(s) did he sing at your wedding?
I love Franti too and went to one of his concerts a little over a year ago. He is the kindest man ever and actually gave everyone in the audience a hug! I couldn't believe that a famous muscian would offer me a photo and a hug! Love him!
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I am also a fan of this brilliant and compassionate musician. A very touching part of the film was when Franti learned the word habibi during the film-making, and he composed a tune for the people with just that word. Habibi means darling, beloved, close friend, and such. And whenever he played it, smiles all around!
For you yoga lovers, Franti has a great Power to the Peaceful Yoga DVD (Acacia) with his music in the background. It is taught by his two teachers, Sharon Gannon and David Life. Gannon spreads the vegan message on the DVD. Love it!
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Michaal Franit changed my life when I first heard his music years ago. His message is so positive and up-lifting- and his shows are incredible- you experience this wave of collective gratitude and consciousness among the people of the crowd and especially from the music. Everyone just sings and dances like crazy- It's truly wonderful!! Stay Human is a great album. I also really like Yell Fire! And... Michael Franti is vegan! :) On youtube you can find interviews of him giving reasons why he chooses the kind life, and he speaks so elloquently and just makes so much sense. In fact, my brother, who is a total meat eater and MF fan, was almost convinced to try living meat-free after hearing what Michael had to say.
If you haven't heard, please listen. I love hearing Michael in the morning on my way to work- it's a beautiful start to the day! <3
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He just exudes joy and compasssion - in his music and apparently otherwise! Thank you so much for the heads up on this - shall definitely check it out.
Alicia (and all ye Kind Ones), have you heard of Playing for Change? This certainly made me think of them. I tried to post about this amazing project many moons ago, but no response - perhaps I can resurrect it here - like Franti, the PFC peeps are amaaaaazing and SO talented, and the mission and programs are stellar, and their cd's/dvds are the absolute bomb diggity. Here's the linkage:
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I love Spearhead! I used to listen to them back in 94' with "There's a Hole in My Pocket" and now more recently I fell back in love with "Say Hey". I love that you posted this and I can't wait to check out the film. Thank you bunches!
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