Director Esther Bell’s latest film has shown me how much of a sheltered life I’ve led here in the Bible belt of Oklahoma. Shot with the gritty, raw look of guerrilla footage, Exist chronicles the plight of revolutionary activists struggling to survive in a cold, corporate-run world.
Top and Jake, two activists who don’t see eye-to-eye, serve as the main protagonists in the film. The antagonist, possibly the most formidable type, isn’t human. It’s the system.
When the cops raid the house the activists are squatting in, they scramble in different directions in an obvious effort to elude arrest. In the subsequent chase, two cops catch up to, and beat, Jake and his girlfriend. When one of the cops is accidentally shot with his own gun during the struggle, Jake is accused of his murder. Knowing he’ll be found guilty, Jake goes on the lam, and his sister appeals to Top to help find him.
What follows is Top’s introspective, moral dilemma as to whether or not he should help Jake, which, in the world of the activist, means making the ultimate sacrifice. The film exposes a subculture that doesn’t make the headlines in the western media today. But it must still be a force to be reckoned with, probably in major cities.
Bell approaches the fictional film with a documentary style. She has the basic plot in her mind, but relies on real-life activists and their experiences, rather than professional actors, to flesh out the story and create dialogue. Real life is obviously not as dramatic as it’s portrayed in films, but the sincere, stripped down reaction to oppression expressed by the activists still elicits sympathy and concern from the audience. However, these activists should be prepared – perhaps even anxious – to risk everything in an effort to serve as examples of how corrupt the system is. Exist is inspiring in that it teaches us to fight the corrupt powers that be, but the main lesson is that we shouldn’t bite every hand that tries to feed us.
Bell also heads the Unamerican Film Festival, which showcases short films and trailers that challenge the policies and politics of American society. You’re most likely only going to see one copy of Exist on rental shelves, but I implore you to give it a chance.
Check out Bell's website and the Halo 8 website to learn more about Esther Bell and other socially conscious films.
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