Resistance Artists

One ongoing focus of Cultures of Resistance Films is highlighting the work of resistance artists around the world. Through our films, we have showcased people who use art forms including music, dance, photography, and cartooning to confront injustice and promote a more peaceful and sustainable world. The Resistance Artist series was a curated collection of short films made from 2010 to 2013. Below is a list of films in the series:

• César López: Turning Guns into Guitars (Colombia) (2010)
• A Day with Lowkey and Shadia Mansour (2010)
• Gatwitch Festival: Showcasing a New Generation of African Artists and Activists (2011)
• Katibe 5: Rapping Against Occupation (2010)
• Lexxus Legal: Hip Hop for Social Change (2011)
• Muslimgauze: Chasing the Shadow of Bryn Jones (2013)
• MV Bill: Peace to the Favelas (Brazil) (2011)
• Papa Wemba: Singing for a Brighter Congo (2011)
• Thembo Kash: Cartooning for Justice DRC/Congo (2011)

• César López: Turning Guns into Guitars (Colombia) (2010) highlights guitarist César López’s efforts to reign in militarism in his country through music and political activism. 3 minutes.

• A Day with Lowkey and Shadia Mansour (2010) follows Iraqi rapper Lowkey and Palestinian lyricist Shadia Mansour at a book tour stop, where they discuss Israel’s attacks on the Gaza Strip, and then to the studio, where they talk about the convergence of their music and political activism. 6 minutes.

• Gatwitch Festival: Showcasing a New Generation of African Artists and Activists (2011) documents the exciting discussion that took place at the 2010 Gatwitch Festival and the sense of hope that emerged. 6 minutes.

• Katibe 5: Rapping Against Occupation (2010) profiles a Palestinian hip- hop group formed in the Burj al-Barajneh refugee camp in Lebanon. 3 minutes.

• Lexxus Legal: Hip Hop for Social Change (2011) profiles a Congolese rapper encouraging people to express their anger through music, rather than violence. 3 minutes.

• Muslimgauze: Chasing the Shadow of Bryn Jones (2013) features a trailer created by Cultures of Resistance Films to preview author Ibrahim Khider’s new book, which celebrates the artist’s politically motivated craft. 4 minutes.

• MV Bill: Peace to the Favelas (Brazil) (2011) documents the work of hip-hop artist MV Bill, who calls out Rio’s heavy-handed approach to policing the favelas and promotes a more human alternative: engaging youth in the arts. 3 minutes.

• Papa Wemba: Singing for a Brighter Congo (2011) features an original interview with the legendary singer in which he talks about his music, the future of his country’s politics, and the tensions between politicians and artists in Africa. 3 minutes.

• Thembo Kash: Cartooning for Justice DRC/Congo (2011) profiles a Congolese illustrator who focuses his work on two themes: the corruption that plagues his country’s government and the exploitation of natural resources by foreign corporations. 4 minutes.