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      Freak Power: The Ballot or the Bomb

      R Released Oct 23, 2020 1 hr. 34 min. Documentary List
      Reviews Hunter S. Thompson went to the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago as a journalist and returned home disgusted, yet motivated by what he'd just seen: violently suppressed protests, riots, corrupt politicians, and abusive cops. Hunter decides he has to do something to change the police brutality that has become the norm. We follow Hunter as he builds his own political movement, which grows from a local sheriff's race to a national media sensation. Read More Read Less

      Audience Reviews

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      Ravenswood R Excellent documentary. What democracy should really be, not the rigged sham that we actually have. A must for students of politics, students of life, and truth seekers of every stripe. Archival footage is outstanding - you are there, in 1970, Aspen CO, seeing things as the actually happened. Fascinating, and as HST says in the film, "not only wise but necessary." Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/17/23 Full Review Audience Member Great doc! Uncanny how Hunter's platform in 1970 holds so much relevance today, when fighting against the system and for the people, standing up against the establishment and demanding change. It shows great insight into Hunter's character as a serious journalist and then candidate while remaining truly entertaining along the way. Amazing archival footage gives you a look into Hunter's life we have never seen before. Freak Power gives the viewer a powerful & unique behind the scenes perspective of Hunter S Thompson as he fights for the Soul of America. This documentary should be seen by every person in the political spectrum (conservative to progressive) to help refocus our attention on all the things we can be working together on. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/16/23 Full Review Audience Member We get to know Hunter Thompson right before he published his most renown work "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" and we follow his Freak Power movement as he runs for Sheriff in Aspen. You might think this is a rather obscure side note in the grand scheme of history and you might even be right. But you are also a fool. Throughout the documentary you cannot fail to notice its utmost relevance and the uncanny similarities with todays politics. Even if one is utterly uninterested in this brilliant portrait of one of Americas defining cultural icons and most influential post war authors. Even if one does not care about this vivid Portrait of the "very special time and place" that was the late '60s counter culture movement. Even then, this documentary is still worth to watch and learn by example how to stand up to unjust and authoritarian swine, to stand up for your friends and yourself. Because not standing your ground is just plain stupid. And "Stupidity is the only final sin". Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/16/23 Full Review Audience Member I've been a bit obsessed with the life of Hunter Thompson growing up. Consuming all content I can find on his life and thinkings. Freak Power: The Ballot or the Bomb is a great addition to other documentaries out and the focus on his run for sheriff is a period to focus on. The directors of the film did an amazing job finding photographs and putting never before screen footage of Hunter on the campaign trail together. It's such an insightful look into the life and mind of Hunter at that time in Aspen. Freak Power is such a beautiful movement & documentary that poignantly mirrors todays political climate, I will certainly be revisiting it again and again. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member Great use of live footage, so unusual today. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/27/23 Full Review Audience Member I didn't know much about Hunter S. Thompson but a friend recommended this to me because it deals with so many issues that are relevant to today's world and political landscape, like police brutality and voter suppression. I liked that a lot of the footage feels very personal, and that there were moments of humor (Thompson himself seems pretty funny). Really interesting documentary! Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Movie Info

      Synopsis Hunter S. Thompson went to the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago as a journalist and returned home disgusted, yet motivated by what he'd just seen: violently suppressed protests, riots, corrupt politicians, and abusive cops. Hunter decides he has to do something to change the police brutality that has become the norm. We follow Hunter as he builds his own political movement, which grows from a local sheriff's race to a national media sensation.
      Director
      Daniel Joseph Watkins
      Executive Producer
      Terry Leonard, Jennifer Sofio Hall, Kent Kubena
      Production Co
      Freak Power Productions, Gaia Entertainment, Sheriff Entertainment, MakeMake Entertainment
      Rating
      R (Some Graphic Nudity|Drug Use|Smoking|Language|Violent Images)
      Genre
      Documentary
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Theaters)
      Oct 23, 2020, Limited
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Oct 23, 2020