'Kony 2012' director answers critics of video
- 12 years ago
The newest Internet sensation is an unlikely one --- an African war criminal who is on the top of the International Criminal Court's most wanted list.
A 30-minute about Ugandan rebel leader Joseph Kony has been viewed more than 55 million times in the five days since it was first posted to youtube.
The group behind the film say the the fugitive leader of the Lord's Resistance Army is responsible for the kidnapping of over 60,000 children over a period of more than two decades.
Jason Russell is co-founder of the group Invisible Children and director of "Kony 2012." He says response to the film has been overwhelming.
SOUNDBITE: Jason Russell, co-founder of the non-profit group Invisible Children and director of "Kony 2012" saying:
"We don't really have a name for it, but it is a global revolution, it is a human revolution. And we are excited to see what this means for Kony to come to trial at the International Criminal Court."
Russell also encourage viewers to purchase an Action Kit which includes 2012 posters and bracelets to promote awareness.
Hollywood heavyweights have added their voices to the chorus calling for Kony's arrest. added their voices expressed their support for the issue. Kony
SOUNDBITE: Actress Angelina Jolie saying:
"He's an extraordinarily horrible human being who, you know...his time has come and it's lovely to see that young people are raising up as well."
In Uganda, reaction to the film has been mixed. Some say the attention to one of Africa's most violent warlords is overdue while others say the film is inaccurate and overly simplistic.
SOUNDBITE: Kampala resident, Solomon saying:
"They've turned people's problems into their businesses, and it is unfortunate that we can have people who are merchandising by using people's problems."
SOUNDBITE: Jason Russell, co-founder of the non-profit group Invisible Children and director of "Kony 2012" saying:
"When get older you get muddled and polluted by the way the world is suppose to work and children don't see it that way, they are like, 'this just isn't right.' That's why we decided to include my son because he sees it pretty simply."
Particularly galling to many is the fact the film doesn't mention Kony fled Uganda to the Democratic Republic of Congo years ago.
SOUNDBITE: Uganda government spokesperson, Fred Opolot saying:
"What the Invisible Children is doing is to castigate or rather reflect Africa as a dark continent where there is always unending trouble."
Promoting the film in New York, Russell responded to concerns about his group's financial dealings, particularly the group's public relations campaign.
SOUNDBITE: Jason Russell, co-founder of the non-profit group Invisible Children and director of "Kony 2012" saying:
"We have found that putting money toward our media and our movie changes lives. This isn't about the fame and the celebrity, it's just about the human beings coming together to make Kony famous and in doing that you are making the invisible children famous, you're making the invisible visible."
The foundation hopes that Kony will be captured by the end of the year and say the will celebrate with a global concert featuring some of the world's biggest music acts.
Deborah Gembara, Reuters.
A 30-minute about Ugandan rebel leader Joseph Kony has been viewed more than 55 million times in the five days since it was first posted to youtube.
The group behind the film say the the fugitive leader of the Lord's Resistance Army is responsible for the kidnapping of over 60,000 children over a period of more than two decades.
Jason Russell is co-founder of the group Invisible Children and director of "Kony 2012." He says response to the film has been overwhelming.
SOUNDBITE: Jason Russell, co-founder of the non-profit group Invisible Children and director of "Kony 2012" saying:
"We don't really have a name for it, but it is a global revolution, it is a human revolution. And we are excited to see what this means for Kony to come to trial at the International Criminal Court."
Russell also encourage viewers to purchase an Action Kit which includes 2012 posters and bracelets to promote awareness.
Hollywood heavyweights have added their voices to the chorus calling for Kony's arrest. added their voices expressed their support for the issue. Kony
SOUNDBITE: Actress Angelina Jolie saying:
"He's an extraordinarily horrible human being who, you know...his time has come and it's lovely to see that young people are raising up as well."
In Uganda, reaction to the film has been mixed. Some say the attention to one of Africa's most violent warlords is overdue while others say the film is inaccurate and overly simplistic.
SOUNDBITE: Kampala resident, Solomon saying:
"They've turned people's problems into their businesses, and it is unfortunate that we can have people who are merchandising by using people's problems."
SOUNDBITE: Jason Russell, co-founder of the non-profit group Invisible Children and director of "Kony 2012" saying:
"When get older you get muddled and polluted by the way the world is suppose to work and children don't see it that way, they are like, 'this just isn't right.' That's why we decided to include my son because he sees it pretty simply."
Particularly galling to many is the fact the film doesn't mention Kony fled Uganda to the Democratic Republic of Congo years ago.
SOUNDBITE: Uganda government spokesperson, Fred Opolot saying:
"What the Invisible Children is doing is to castigate or rather reflect Africa as a dark continent where there is always unending trouble."
Promoting the film in New York, Russell responded to concerns about his group's financial dealings, particularly the group's public relations campaign.
SOUNDBITE: Jason Russell, co-founder of the non-profit group Invisible Children and director of "Kony 2012" saying:
"We have found that putting money toward our media and our movie changes lives. This isn't about the fame and the celebrity, it's just about the human beings coming together to make Kony famous and in doing that you are making the invisible children famous, you're making the invisible visible."
The foundation hopes that Kony will be captured by the end of the year and say the will celebrate with a global concert featuring some of the world's biggest music acts.
Deborah Gembara, Reuters.