Overview

"Punk activist collective Positive Force DC emerged in 1985, rising from the creative, politically-charged ferment of DC punk's Revolution Summer. Born in a dynamic local scene sparked by Bad Brains, Minor Threat, and Rites of Spring, a handful of young activists also drew inspiration from UK anarcho-punks Crass and the original ""Positive Force"" band Seven Seconds to become one of the most long-lasting and influential exponents of punk politics. This feature-length film by Robin Bell skillfully mixes rare archival footage (including electrifying live performances from Fugazi, Bikini Kill, Rites of Spring, Nation of Ulysses, Anti-Flag, and more) with new interviews of key PF activists including co-founder Mark Andersen (co-author of Dance of Days) and Jenny Toomey (Simple Machines, Tsunami) as well as supporters such as Ian MacKaye, Jello Biafra, Dave Grohl, Ted Leo, Riot Grrrl co-founders Allison Wolfe and Kathleen Hanna, and many more. Covering a span of 30 years, More Than a Witness documents PF's Reagan-era origins, the creation of its communal house, FBI harassment, and the rise of a vibrant underground that burst into the mainstream amid controversy over both the means and the ends of the movement. Through it all, Positive Force has persisted, remaining deeply rooted in their hometown, reaching out to those in need and building bridges between diverse communities, while regularly bringing punk protest to the front doors of the powers-that-be. Encompassing an ever-evolving cast of characters, the all-volunteer group has helped to nurture several generations of activists. In the best punk fashion, PF has applied creative DIY tactics and radical critiques to issues of homelessness, hunger, racism, corporate globalization, sexism, homophobia, war, gentrification, and animal/earth liberation, while struggling to constructively address conflicting dynamics and visions within the group itself. The filmmakers' portion of the proceeds from the sale of the DVD will benefit the We Are Family senior outreach network. Run time: 69 minutes. Extras: Wake Up! A Profile of Positive Force DC (28 minutes, 1991, a film by David Weinstein) A powerful snapshot of Positive Force at its early 90's peak, just before the eruption of Riot Grrrl and ""Smells Like Teen Spirit,"" with a special focus on the role of the PF communal house. Green Hair, Grey Hair (28 minutes, 2008, a film by Katrina Taylor and Rachell Williams) Award-winning short documentary that spotlights the unlikely - but transformative - alliance between inner-city seniors and young punk rockers fostered by PF's work with the ""We Are Family"" senior outreach network. Punks, Votes, Riots (21 minutes, 2014, outtake from More Than a Witness) Live at Positive Force (33 minutes) Bonus performances by Fugazi, Seven Seconds, Chumbawamba, Anti-Flag, Soulside, The Evens, and Beefeater."

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9781604862423

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Reviews

Positive Force: More Than a Witness clarifies that what was an active moment in both local music and politics was the nudge many young people needed to reexamine their own lives. --Maxwell Tani, Washington City Paper

Positive Force: More than a Witness interviews numerous of people throughout the punk scene from the obvious who would be interviewed (i.e. Mark Andersen, Ian MacKaye) to the maybe-not-so-obvious (i.e. Laura Jane Grace, Spoonboy). Clarissa Villondo, brightestyoungthings.com Positive Force: More Than a Witness clarifies that what was an active moment in both local music and politics was the nudge many young people needed to reexamine their own lives. Maxwell Tani, Washington City Paper This documentary is an honest and direct look at a group of people that have actually done good - 'talked the talk and walked the walk' so to speak - and continue to do so to this day. --Rob Ross, popdose.com How many ways can the D.C. punk icons of yore retell their tales of all-ages basement shows and subverting the ever-hungry maw of the capitalist music industry? After this year, add two more well-sourced volumes to the record: Salad Days: Punk in the Nation's Capital and Positive Force: More Than a Witness, both documentary films that premiered on the same November weekend. Whether D.C. needs two more rehashings of the white-dude-heavy, MacKaye-Rollins glory days is up for debate . . . but the punk scene's impulse toward nostalgia seems as healthy as it ever was. --Christina Cauterucci, washingtoncitypaper.com Featuring appearances from bands like Fugazi, Bikini Kill, Nation of Ulysses and more, the documentary spans the group's origins and includes performances, details on their tactics, and much, much more. --Vice If you have any interest at all in the history of American punk and/or activism, Positive Force is definitely worth your time. --Bart Bealmear, dangerousminds.net Directed by Robin Bell, the film tells the story of Positive Force's campaigns against homelessness, racism, corporate globalization, sexism, war, and more. --Pitchfork Positive Force: More Than a Witness clarifies that what was an active moment in both local music and politics was the nudge many young people needed to reexamine their own lives. --Maxwell Tani, Washington City Paper Positive Force: More than a Witness interviews numerous of people throughout the punk scene from the obvious who would be interviewed (i.e. Mark Andersen, Ian MacKaye) to the maybe-not-so-obvious (i.e. Laura Jane Grace, Spoonboy). --Clarissa Villondo, brightestyoungthings.com A fascinating and inspirational new documentary by Robin Bell that chronicles the symbiotic relationship between D.C. punk and do-gooderism. --Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post It may not be as widely known or celebrated as the music itself, but the Positive Force story is inextricably linked with D.C. punk. --Dean Essner, Washington Post Express Positive Force: More Than A Witness shows how music and activism can intersect. --Ally Schweitzer, bandwidth.wamu.org Combining archival concert footage featuring bands including Bikini Kill, Fugazi, and Anti-Flag, with interviews of Dave Grohl and others who discuss their history with the collective, this should appeal to punk fans and socially conscious viewers. --T. Keogh, Video Librarian This informative and inspiring film about several generations of punks singing about positive social change and working to make it happen should appeal to socially conscious music fans of all ages. --Douglas King, Library Journal It is punk movements like these that inspire viable alternatives and the possibilities of creating a whole new world. --Nick Muzmack, SLUG Magazine Positive Force examines the staunchly do-it-yourself ethos of the group, as well as its role as a catalyst of Washington DC's influential hardcore punk climate of the 1980s-90s - a fiery scene of breakneck guitars and political proselytizing that left imprints on rockers in the mainstream. --Stacey Anderson, Guardian The documentary should inspire anyone who believes in the positivity of Punk and its power of personal and political change . . . . a DVD that can be viewed many times with each viewing spawning new detail and successive inspiration. --scannerzine.com Bell's film lays it all out with a variety of perspectives from participants and bands who approached the revolution individually and collectively. --Bryan Thomas, nightflight.com Positive Force: More Than A Witness shows how music and activism can intersect. Ally Schweitzer, bandwidth.wamu.org Combining archival concert footage featuring bands including Bikini Kill, Fugazi, and Anti-Flag, with interviews of Dave Grohl and others who discuss their history with the collective, this should appeal to punk fans and socially conscious viewers. T. Keogh, Video Librarian This informative and inspiring film about several generations of punks singing about positive social change and working to make it happen should appeal to socially conscious music fans of all ages. Douglas King, Library Journal It is punk movements like these that inspire viable alternatives and the possibilities of creating a whole new world. Nick Muzmack, SLUG Magazine Positive Force examines the staunchly do-it-yourself ethos of the group, as well as its role as a catalyst of Washington DC s influential hardcore punk climate of the 1980s-90s a fiery scene of breakneck guitars and political proselytizing that left imprints on rockers in the mainstream. Stacey Anderson, Guardian The documentary should inspire anyone who believes in the positivity of Punk and its power of personal and political change . . . . a DVD that can be viewed many times with each viewing spawning new detail and successive inspiration. scannerzine.com Bell s film lays it all out with a variety of perspectives from participants and bands who approached the revolution individually and collectively. Bryan Thomas, nightflight.com

Positive Force: More Than A Witness shows how music and activism can intersect. --Ally Schweitzer, bandwidth.wamu.org

Positive Force: More Than a Witness clarifies that what was an active moment in both local music and politics was the nudge many young people needed to reexamine their own lives. Maxwell Tani, Washington City Paper Positive Force: More than a Witness interviews numerous of people throughout the punk scene from the obvious who would be interviewed (i.e. Mark Andersen, Ian MacKaye) to the maybe-not-so-obvious (i.e. Laura Jane Grace, Spoonboy). Clarissa Villondo, brightestyoungthings.com This documentary is an honest and direct look at a group of people that have actually done good - 'talked the talk and walked the walk' so to speak - and continue to do so to this day. --Rob Ross, popdose.com How many ways can the D.C. punk icons of yore retell their tales of all-ages basement shows and subverting the ever-hungry maw of the capitalist music industry? After this year, add two more well-sourced volumes to the record: Salad Days: Punk in the Nation's Capital and Positive Force: More Than a Witness, both documentary films that premiered on the same November weekend. Whether D.C. needs two more rehashings of the white-dude-heavy, MacKaye-Rollins glory days is up for debate . . . but the punk scene's impulse toward nostalgia seems as healthy as it ever was. --Christina Cauterucci, washingtoncitypaper.com If you have any interest at all in the history of American punk and/or activism, Positive Force is definitely worth your time. --Bart Bealmear, dangerousminds.net Positive Force: More Than a Witness clarifies that what was an active moment in both local music and politics was the nudge many young people needed to reexamine their own lives. --Maxwell Tani, Washington City Paper Positive Force: More than a Witness interviews numerous of people throughout the punk scene from the obvious who would be interviewed (i.e. Mark Andersen, Ian MacKaye) to the maybe-not-so-obvious (i.e. Laura Jane Grace, Spoonboy). --Clarissa Villondo, brightestyoungthings.com It may not be as widely known or celebrated as the music itself, but the Positive Force story is inextricably linked with D.C. punk. --Dean Essner, Washington Post Express Featuring appearances from bands like Fugazi, Bikini Kill, Nation of Ulysses and more, the documentary spans the group's origins and includes performances, details on their tactics, and much, much more. --Vice Directed by Robin Bell, the film tells the story of Positive Force's campaigns against homelessness, racism, corporate globalization, sexism, war, and more. --Pitchfork A fascinating and inspirational new documentary by Robin Bell that chronicles the symbiotic relationship between D.C. punk and do-gooderism. --Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post Positive Force: More Than A Witness shows how music and activism can intersect. --Ally Schweitzer, bandwidth.wamu.org Combining archival concert footage featuring bands including Bikini Kill, Fugazi, and Anti-Flag, with interviews of Dave Grohl and others who discuss their history with the collective, this should appeal to punk fans and socially conscious viewers. --T. Keogh, Video Librarian This informative and inspiring film about several generations of punks singing about positive social change and working to make it happen should appeal to socially conscious music fans of all ages. --Douglas King, Library Journal It is punk movements like these that inspire viable alternatives and the possibilities of creating a whole new world. --Nick Muzmack, SLUG Magazine Positive Force examines the staunchly do-it-yourself ethos of the group, as well as its role as a catalyst of Washington DC's influential hardcore punk climate of the 1980s-90s - a fiery scene of breakneck guitars and political proselytizing that left imprints on rockers in the mainstream. --Stacey Anderson, Guardian The documentary should inspire anyone who believes in the positivity of Punk and its power of personal and political change . . . . a DVD that can be viewed many times with each viewing spawning new detail and successive inspiration. --scannerzine.com Bell's film lays it all out with a variety of perspectives from participants and bands who approached the revolution individually and collectively. --Bryan Thomas, nightflight.com Positive Force: More Than A Witness shows how music and activism can intersect. Ally Schweitzer, bandwidth.wamu.org Combining archival concert footage featuring bands including Bikini Kill, Fugazi, and Anti-Flag, with interviews of Dave Grohl and others who discuss their history with the collective, this should appeal to punk fans and socially conscious viewers. T. Keogh, Video Librarian This informative and inspiring film about several generations of punks singing about positive social change and working to make it happen should appeal to socially conscious music fans of all ages. Douglas King, Library Journal It is punk movements like these that inspire viable alternatives and the possibilities of creating a whole new world. Nick Muzmack, SLUG Magazine Positive Force examines the staunchly do-it-yourself ethos of the group, as well as its role as a catalyst of Washington DC s influential hardcore punk climate of the 1980s-90s a fiery scene of breakneck guitars and political proselytizing that left imprints on rockers in the mainstream. Stacey Anderson, Guardian The documentary should inspire anyone who believes in the positivity of Punk and its power of personal and political change . . . . a DVD that can be viewed many times with each viewing spawning new detail and successive inspiration. scannerzine.com Bell s film lays it all out with a variety of perspectives from participants and bands who approached the revolution individually and collectively. Bryan Thomas, nightflight.com

How many ways can the D.C. punk icons of yore retell their tales of all-ages basement shows and subverting the ever-hungry maw of the capitalist music industry? After this year, add two more well-sourced volumes to the record: Salad Days: Punk in the Nation's Capital and Positive Force: More Than a Witness, both documentary films that premiered on the same November weekend. Whether D.C. needs two more rehashings of the white-dude-heavy, MacKaye-Rollins glory days is up for debate . . . but the punk scene's impulse toward nostalgia seems as healthy as it ever was. --Christina Cauterucci, washingtoncitypaper.com

Author Information

Robin Bell is an award-winning videographer and artist. He is a professor at the Corcoran College of Art & Design and the founder and owner of Bellvisuals, a boutique production company that supports social justice groups and environmentally sustainable companies. He lives in Washington, DC.

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