Black Maria Film Festival 9 - Declaration of Interdependence

This is number 9 out of 10 for the Black Maria Film Festival Series, which began with Anima Mundi.  The ninth film shown in the sequence of shorts that my sister and I saw was Declaration of Interdependence, created by Tiffany Shlain, the same filmmaker who did Yelp. 

This film was created in such an interesting way.  Tiffany Shlain called for entries from people worldwide through a YouTube request.  Participants would videotape themselves reading this Declaration of Interdependence that she created based on the Declaration of Independence.  Shlain and her partners would then edit the film into a short piece to be shared on YouTube, including snippets from the entries received.



What emerged from this request is quite interesting indeed, and the way it is all pieced together as a final result, you just have to see:



I believe this film makes a powerful statement about how we all matter, we all have a part in this world, we are all interconnected, and what we do affects each other.  I believe in independence as much as it means that we should not be ruled by exterior forces who squelch freedom by telling people what to do, what to believe, how to worship and how to live.  I think that interdependence brings independence to another level in which the truth that we answer for ourselves is realized but the fact that what we do affects others is clear.  If we encompassed that truth in our beliefs, would we then be mindful of others and exist more peaceably?  Because the way I act, then, towards others in the world will affect me.  What I do or do not do will come back to me, so if I realize this and am truly mindful of it, perhaps I will experience greater love, joy, peace and freedom?

For more on this film, see LetItRipple.org.

Share your thoughts, if you please!

Also in this series are:
Black Maria Film Fest 1 - Anima Mundi
Black Maria Film Fest 2 - Installation
Black Maria Film Fest 3 & 4 - Hip Priest & Be Filled with the Spirit
Black Maria Film Fest 5 - Yelp!
Black Maria Film Fest 6 - We're Part of the City
Black Maria Film Fest 7 - No Wine Left Behind
Black Maria Film Fest 8 - Another Dress, Another Button

and one more to go to complete this series!