When director Brandon Dickerson, whose commercialmaking home is kaboom productions, San Francisco and Los Angeles, first heard singer/songwriter Justin Dillon’s desire to draw attention to the truth about the human slave trade problem today, he knew he had to strongly commit to the cause in some fashion.
So what began as a grassroots effort two years ago has since grown into a full-length feature documentary CALL+RESPONSE, which launched nationally in select theaters earlier this month. Dillon is the voice and director of the project and Brandon Dickerson is the director of the music performance segments that help to move the film along.
“I am honored to support what Justin has accomplished with this film,” said Dickerson. “What began as a unique idea of artistic filmed performances has exploded into Justin dedicating years of passion to the cause of CALL+RESPONSE. He has shaped a powerful film that is certain to have a profound impact on all who view it.”
The feature documentary discloses the world’s 27 million dirtiest secrets–that’s the estimated number of slaves today, meaning that there are more slaves presently than ever before in history.
CALL+RESPONSE goes deep undercover to different part of the globe where slavery is thriving–from the child brothels of Cambodia to the slave-run brick kilns of rural India–to reveal that in 2007, slave traders made more money than Google, Nike and Starbucks combined. This is a hugely profitable industry based on human misery.
Dickerson, who directs commercials, documentaries and music-driven projects through kaboom productions and sister shop BOOM music videos, captured performances featured in CALL+RESPONSE by Grammy-winning and critically acclaimed artists including Moby, Cold War Kids, Imogen Heap, Five For Fighting, Switchfoot, members of Nickel Creek with Benmont Tench and Glen Phillips, as well as Rocco Deluca.
As filming of the bands wrapped up in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and New York, Dillon found interest in his project growing and soon found himself sitting down with a camera interviewing such notables as Cornel West, Madeleine Albright, Julia Ormond, Ashley Judd, Nicholas Kristof, and many other prominent political and cultural figures who offer first hand accounts of this 21st century trade.
Dillon soon realized that this was much more than just a concert to end slavery–but a compelling music-driven documentary that clearly articulates the issue of modern day slavery.
“Working with so many talented artists was inspiring,” said Dickerson. “I decided to shoot black and white grainy Super16mm and designed the artistic look of the performances to connect with the film’s prevailing message. So many people donated time and talent to support Justin as a modern day Abolitionist on a journey. And now you have a film in theaters where the profits are given to victims of slavery.”
Radium, San Francisco, Santa Monica and Dallas, handled editing and design for the film.
(For a list of theaters and to buy tickets, log on to http://callandresponse.com/tickets.)
Apple and Google Face UK Investigation Into Mobile Browser Dominance
Apple and Google aren't giving consumers a genuine choice of mobile web browsers, a British watchdog said Friday in a report that recommends they face an investigation under new U.K. digital rules taking effect next year.
The Competition and Markets Authority took aim at Apple, saying the iPhone maker's tactics hold back innovation by stopping rivals from giving users new features like faster webpage loading. Apple does this by restricting progressive web apps, which don't need to be downloaded from an app store and aren't subject to app store commissions, the report said.
"This technology is not able to fully take off on iOS devices," the watchdog said in a provisional report on its investigation into mobile browsers that it opened after an initial study concluded that Apple and Google effectively have a chokehold on "mobile ecosystems."
The CMA's report also found that Apple and Google manipulate the choices given to mobile phone users to make their own browsers "the clearest or easiest option."
And it said that the a revenue-sharing deal between the two U.S. Big Tech companies "significantly reduces their financial incentives" to compete in mobile browsers on Apple's iOS operating system for iPhones.
Both companies said they will "engage constructively" with the CMA.
Apple said it disagreed with the findings and said it was concerned that the recommendations would undermine user privacy and security.
Google said the openness of its Android mobile operating system "has helped to expand choice, reduce prices and democratize access to smartphones and apps" and that it's "committed to open platforms that empower consumers."
It's the latest move by regulators on both sides of the Atlantic to crack down on the... Read More