Do Not Resist

February. 23,2017      
Rating:
7
Trailer Synopsis Cast

Do Not Resist is an exploration of the rapid militarization of the police in the United States. Opening on startling on-the-scene footage in Ferguson, Missouri, the film then broadens its scope to present scenes from across the country.

Rand Paul as  Himself (archive footage)

Reviews

Exoticalot
2017/02/23

People are voting emotionally.

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Comwayon
2017/02/24

A Disappointing Continuation

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Kaelan Mccaffrey
2017/02/25

Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

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Scarlet
2017/02/26

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

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Domonique Alexander
2017/02/27

What Atkinson sought out to do, he delivers on. Do Not Resist presents a fantastic look at a world many of us may not know about: the world of police militarization. Undoubtedly a magnet for criticism from those in political opposition, the film features recorded hearings and comments from politicians we know well, and it is impossible to proclaim bias as a simple fact check yields truth. You may gasp, you may cry, you may rise to anger or frustration...and that's the point. To evoke a response and demand attention to a disturbing issue taking place in the U.S. This film is by no means anti-cop. It is anti-militarization, and Atkinson tries to express that through the voices of former police officers who voice their concerns and discomfort with the use of armored vehicles and heavy artillery to address peaceful protests.Some of the shots are pretty impressive and the cinematography is wonderfully inventive for clips taken from the streets and chambers. Check the film out before making any premature assumptions, you just might learn something...I know I did.

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matthijsalexander
2017/02/28

Being Dutch I am not really used to violence of inner cities. I think SWAT Teams and tactical teams are for Hollywood movies and series. I am mistaken.This documentary show how ridiculous Americans are and how they are now militarizing their police. How some think its a good idea to rule the masses with armored vehicles and war-materials. It is already ridiculous what types of weapons police are using, but to go this far can only mean that there is some sort of master plan for the USA, that they foresee rebellion and uprising.The documentary is a real jaw-dropper and gives good insight in the mindset of politicians and civilians.

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runamokprods
2017/03/01

A documentary with the creepy mood of a horror film, this un-narrated collection of 'on the scene' footage everywhere from the streets of Ferguson during the protests after the police killing of Michael Brown, to US Senate hearings about the selling (or giving) of high end military equipment to the police forces of small cities and even small towns. (One town got 2 armored vehicles from the US Government, even though the whole department is only one cop!). The film looks at how the militarizing of smaller police forces, far from reducing danger, not only wastes tons of taxpayer money, but more importantly helps foster and conform an atmosphere of fear and suspicion between the police and the citizens they serve. The government gives no training in the use of the equipment, and despite the statement that the tanks and high powered automatic rifles aren't supposed to be used for riot control or the suppression of citizens, that seems to be exactly what it does get used for (since terrorism is basically a non reality in these towns, as, mostly, are murders). There's also exploration of ever growing police surveillance of public spaces (facial recognition software meaning you really are never alone), and predictive technology that seems to be heading us right towards the 'pre-crime' dystopia of 'Minority Report' (most chilling line of the film "How do you tell a mother that her unborn child has a 50% chance of committing a murder by age 18? What is she supposed to do with that?' asks a developer of this technology. (Not to mention – what if you're wrong?!?) Generally, the film is low on facts and figures (although there are some real jaw droppers), but that's OK. Other films have focused on the hard details. This film focuses on what having these weapons and abilities as part of day-to-day policing does to us all --not only citizens but even the police themselves. (I appreciated that the film doesn't feel 'anti-cop', and even showed empathy for officers receiving mixed signals from their superiors and the US government as to how they're supposed to do their jobs). I liked that it was clear that these trends trouble people on both the left and the right. Having an over-equipped literal 'army' watching our every move seems to trouble citizens and even politicians of many stripes.A chilling and important film about how law enforcement has been evolving in the US, and where it could easily go in the future if we're not all very careful.

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jeremyheadifen
2017/03/02

Worth watching. There has been a militarisation of the US police no doubt. The problem lies in the biase of the film makers. This is not a journalistic documentary, but a propaganda documentary. They have clearly misrepresented their intentions when filming Police. They clearly have an anti-white racist agenda towards Police. They targeted small town USA, where most folk and Police are White Americans. and the militarisation of the Police in these areas is unnecessary. Conveniently ignored the real problems of Policing. They have produced a documentary that is typically liberal. Focused on the exceptions to the rule, and not the rule. Blatantly anti-white racist. I wouldn't be surprised if George Soros was the money behind this circus.

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