We Are Legion: The Story of the Hacktivists

Brian Knappenberger's documentary focuses on 21st-century computer hackers who channel their savvy and talents for creative chaos into political protest, defying the stereotype of modem-linked nerdy shut-ins. The narrative has some of the gee-whiz aspect of the early-1990s "cyberpunk" era, as viewers are told how uncensored website-forums such as 4chan and /b/ nurtured a large following of anything-goes anonymous posters. Under the collective default-name "Anonymous,” members first banded together to systematically harass a racist podcaster, followed—in February 2008—by a mission to humiliate and defy the Church of Scientology worldwide (this was when the Guy Fawkes face worn by Occupy Wall Street types appeared in force). Some of the Anonymous community preferred being apolitical pranksters instead of purposeful do-gooders, but the collective still reacted en masse to help homegrown revolutionaries in Tunisia and Egypt, also launching a campaign to cripple PayPal after the latter shut down contributions to assist Julian Assange during his WikiLeaks persecution. Featuring interviewees including popular tech-culture author Steven Levy, We Are Legion discusses a wide range of high-tech attacks—from the site-smashing "Low Orbit Ion Cannon" to erasing an iPad by remote, to having tons of pizzas delivered to a victim's door. Government responses to Anonymous members may or may not seem heavy-handed, depending on one's opinion of the hacktivists (clearly the filmmakers are sympathetic). Ironically, the idea that Anonymous wants a society in which government fears the citizenry comes close to echoing the Tea Party credo. An interesting look at radical techno-activism, this is recommended. [Note: this is also available on DVD for $95 w/PPR for public libraries, and $295 w/PPR for colleges and universities from Ro*co Films Educational (www.rocoeducational.com).] Aud: C, P. (C. Cassady)