“Thinking of the dead and maimed on both sides, THE PEACE PATRIOTS gives us hope and inspiration.
I hope it will be shown widely.”
     —Howard Zinn, Author of A PEOPLE'S HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES

“THE PEACE PATRIOTS is a moving documentary that is sure to inspire.  In an atmosphere rife with frustration and apathy, this film stands out by giving hope to activists and inspiring those who may not be activists to be activists.”
     —John Behnken, Student, Kent State University

      THE PEACE PATRIOTS is an intimate portrait of American dissenters reflecting on their personal participation as engaged citizens in a time of war.

      Narrated by actress and Air America Radio host, Janeane Garofalo, this feature-length documentary film follows a diverse group of individuals, ranging in age from 14 to 75, including middle and high school students, college students, teachers, clergy, and war veterans from Korea, Vietnam and the Persian Gulf, as they take part in vigils, marches, theater performances, and civil disobedience sit-ins to protest the U.S. war in Iraq.

     The film features contemporary music by Grammy Award winner Steve Earle, Pete Seeger, Ani DiFranco, Billy Bragg, Jonatha Brooke, Stephan Smith, Saul Williams, DJ Spooky, Jami Sieber, Shelley Doty and original music by John Sheldon.

COLLEGE FILM TOUR

      Filmmaker Robbie Leppzer will be conducting a national college speaking and screening tour throughout 2007 - 2008 with THE PEACE PATRIOTS, along with a selected retrospective of his documentary films chronicling grassroots social change movements over the last three decades. To read more information about this college tour, click here.

•  Download PEACE PATRIOTS Tour Packet (PDF)

  

REVIEWS

     “THE PEACE PATRIOTS takes the word ‘patriotism’ and gives it a rich positive meaning, removing it from the ugliness of war and nationalism, and restoring it’s original idea as ‘love of country.’ It does this by showing us true patriots—those people who, with artistry and imagination, as well as deep moral commitment, have spoken and acted to end the war in Iraq. In a time of sadness, thinking of the dead and maimed on both sides, this film gives us hope and inspiration. I hope it will be shown widely.”
     —Howard Zinn, Author of A PEOPLE'S HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES

   "A filmmaker unafraid to go against the tide."
     —Rhonda Stewart, THE BOSTON GLOBE

   “THE PEACE PATRIOTS beautifully demonstrates that ordinary people committed to peace and social justice can make a difference. Anyone feeling burned out from resisting the direction our government is headed in will get a shot of energy from this film."
    —David Potorti, Director, September 11th Families For Peaceful Tomorrows

    “THE PEACE PATRIOTS is a moving documentary that is sure to inspire.  In an atmosphere rife with frustration and apathy, this film stands out by giving hope to activists and inspiring those who may not be activists to be activists.”
     —John Behnken, Student, Kent State University

    “As a documentary filmmaker, Robbie Leppzer boldly accepts the role of contemporary historian who permits those working for peace to show that dissent is patriotic.  He defies the censorship masterminded by the mass media to let the voices of students of all ages, combat veterans, teachers, clergy and all the outraged speak for themselves.  THE PEACE PATRIOTS humanizes political activism by focusing on the eloquence of everyday people. This film has helped to awaken and empower our students."
     —Shane Boeder, Ph.D., Professor of Foreign Languages, Marian College

    “THE PEACE PATRIOTS is a powerful portrayal of activism. As a college professor who is interested in exposing students to nonviolent means of action against injustice, I have found this film to be very uplifting.
I highly recommend it as a teaching tool. "
     —Abbie Jenks, Professor of Psychology and Peace Studies, Greenfield Community College

    “THE PEACE PATRIOTS proved to be both inspirational and educational for our audience. The documentary left our audience feeling inspired that there were like-minded activists working for peace and justice in other communities around the United States. I wholeheartedly recommend this film for anyone who is interested in learning about the peace movement.”
     —Paul Lachapelle, Students for Peace and Justice, University of Montana

 

   THE PEACE PATRIOTS
   78 minutes • DVD

   Purchase Price
   • GRASSROOTS ORGANIZER SPECIAL
     Individuals and Local Grassroots Peace Groups - $29.95
   • Community Organizations
     (Public Libraries, High Schools, and National Groups) - $99
   • Institutions (Colleges and Universities) - $249

  

• ORDERING INFORMATION

• Watch Excerpts of THE PEACE PATRIOTS
• Download PEACE PATRIOTS Tour Packet (PDF)
   (Includes film flyer, college tour information and Robbie Leppzer speaking fees.)
• Download PEACE PATRIOTS Film Flyer Only (PDF)

TELEVISION AND RADIO INTERVIEWS WITH FILMMAKER

• Watch Interview with Robbie Leppzer on DEMOCRACY NOW! by host Amy Goodman
• Watch Interview with Robbie Leppzer on INN World Report on Free Speech TV
• Listen To Interview with Robbie Leppzer on Pacifica Radio's KPFA in Berkeley, CA

PRESS ARTICLES (pdf format)

• BOSTON GLOBE 7/24/05: A Filmmaker Unafraid To Go Against The Tide
• DAILY HAMPSHIRE GAZETTE 9/21/05: Documentary Filmmaker Focuses On Area 'Peace Patriots'
• PATRIOT LEDGER 7/21/05: Leppzer Focuses On Social Change

FILM FESTIVAL SCREENINGS

• Boston Independent Film Festival
• Plymouth Independent Film Festival
• Northern Lights Documentary Film Festival
• Camden International Film Festival
• 7 Islands International Film Festival (Mumbia, India)
•Vermont International Film Festival
• Northampton Independent Film Festival
• Global Peace Film Festival
• Grassroots Film Festival

FILM AVAILABLE AS A FUNDRAISER FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS

     Turning Tide Productions is seeking to partner with grassroots peace and social justice groups to distribute the DVD of THE PEACE PATRIOTS. Community organizations can benefit by selling DVDs (available in bulk quantities for a 25 - 50% discount) which can be re-sold to your members at the retail home video price . In addition, groups can receive a percentage of on-line sales made through our website, generated by members of your organization who click on a weblink posted on your website or in an email sent by your organization.

     Individual activists are encouraged to show the film at house parties. Groups are encouraged to host large-event premiere screenings of THE PEACE PATRIOTS in your community or on college campuses, in conjunction with a national speaking tour conducted by filmmaker Robbie Leppzer. These screenings can serve as a benefit fundraising event for the sponsoring organization, as well as, be a public forum on grassroots activism and the future of the U.S. military occupation of Iraq.

• Download Peace Patriots Tour Packet (PDF) Includes printabale PEACE PATRIOTS film flyer and background on filmmaker Robbie Leppzer's college speaking presentations.
(PDF Format - requires free Adobe Acrobat Reader.)