Here Come the Videofreex

Here Come the Videofreex is an engaging 2015 documentary film that profiles the groundbreaking work of the collective known as Videofreex who were pioneers in the world of citizen journalism and guerrilla broadcasting. This captivating movie demonstrates how ten innovative young people collaborated during the 1960s counter-culture era, capturing politically radical video content that mainstream networks were ignoring or whitewashing. Their intimate film work chronicle unforgettable moments in time and are a pivotal part of the movement towards independent media.

Here Come the Videofreex is not a movie about average journalists but a story of passionate oddball renegades armed with hand-held cameras and wild, unprecedented ideas. The movie pays homage to these enigmatic characters and their extraordinary, oftentimes unappreciated contributions, exploring their early years, their transitions, and their impacts on modern-day media.

The film leverages footage compiled by first-person interviews, along with original Videofreex tapes, striding across a decade during a pivotal period in the American civil rights movement, the Vietnam protests, and the growth of alternative culture. It seamlessly melds this recovered footage and current-day interviews to recount Videofreex's remarkable journey interestingly and authentically, from their unorthodox beginnings to the establishing of a pirate television station.

From encounters with infamous intellectuals like Abbie Hoffman to notorious activists like Fred Hampton, the Videofreex were not just bystanders but were actively involved in the historic events they covered. This film resurrects their work, breathing life into rarely seen footage and reminding us of an era when media was not as homogenized as it is today.

The movie starts by exploring the genesis of Videofreex when CBS hired co-founder David Cort to capture footage of the Woodstock Music Festival using a newly invented portable video recorder. During this pivotal moment in history, Cort met Mary Curtis Ratcliff and Parry Teasdale, and together, they formed Videofreex. However, as they began to capture footage of fringe musical acts and counterculture events, CBS found their material too radical and controversial and promptly dropped their project.

Undeterred, the Videofreex collective dove deeper into independent journalism, recording significant moments in history, including groundbreaking interviews and gritty, unfiltered scenes from the counter-culture revolution. The group interviewed influential figures like political theorist Abbie Hoffman and Black Panther Party Chairman Fred Hampton, while also documenting everyday life in communes, alternative schools, and music festivals.

The movie also highlights Videofreex's daring experiment in pirate broadcasting, showcasing their alternative television station named Lanesville TV. Based in upstate New York, this became a local sensation and the nation's first pirate TV station. Even without official permits, they managed to broadcast a unique blend of community news, creative programming, and political commentary to their local audience – embodying the spirit of alternative media long before internet streaming became the norm.

In Here Come the Videofreex, filmmakers Jenny Raskin and Jon Nealon weave an insightful, entertaining, and compelling narrative of the Videofreex collective and their lasting impact on citizen journalism and the birth of participatory media—issues more relevant than ever in today's digital age. They celebrate the Videofreex's gritty determination, creativity, and visionary approach to democratizing media.

This documentary serves as a time capsule that resurrects an era when capturing and broadcasting disruptive content was a risky and hands-on endeavor— a stark contrast to the ease of access and dissemination enabled by today’s technology. It serves as a significant nod to the trailblazing work of the Videofreex, offering us a poignant and timely reminder of a period that dared to question the mainstream narrative and challenged conventional broadcasting norms.

To sum it up, Here Come the Videofreex is a remarkable artistic achievement that provides viewers with an underrepresented narrative of American history. It insightfully reveals the revolution of media by bold innovators who dared to push the boundaries of traditional journalism while leaving a profound and lasting impact. In the world of accessible mobile recording devices and YouTube channels, these historical pioneers of guerrilla broadcasting have undoubtedly shaped our present and will continue to influence our digital future. A must-watch for anyone interested in media, the power of grassroots movements, countercultural history, and the birth of modern citizen journalism.