Freedom for the Wolf

Long live democracy! We are all equal and we can all say, do and think what we want. Right? Freedom for the Wolf bursts that comfortable bubble once and for all. The film starts in Hong Kong in 2014, with members of the Occupy movement adamantly protesting against what they consider a sham democracy—until the powers that be have had enough. From there director Rupert Russell crosses the globe, witnessing events such as the Arab Spring and Trump’s inauguration as U.S. President. Everywhere he goes, he shows that the idea of freedom can be used to promote either liberation or oppression of others. Citizens can consume or vote to their hearts' content, but they never get the real power to change things for themselves. Philosophers and politicians provide lucid explanations, enlivened with excellent animations and archive footage. Russell is merciless—he’s not here to offer easy solutions, but rather sees it as his job to make us aware of our role in countering the illiberal democracy emerging all over the world.