Battle for Internet control fuels O.C.-produced movie

Anyone who values unfettered access to online information is apt to be captivated by “Killswitch,” a gripping, fast-paced documentary that will screen twice at this month’s Newport Beach Film Festival.

The movie is a collaboration of a Santa Ana film and video production company named Akorn Entertainment and three Orange Countians – director Ali Akbarzadeh of Aliso Viejo, producer Jeffrey Horn of Tustin and writer Chris Dollar of San Clemente. They probe the efforts of big business to control the Internet, the efforts of government to regulate it, the efforts of hackers to free up information worldwide and the consequences.

The film premiered in October at the Woodstock Film Festival, where it won best editing, and has since played film festivals in the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Croatia, Romania and around the United States.

We asked the documentary team about the film:

Q. What is the message of “Killswitch?”

A. At its heart, “Killswitch” is a pro-democracy, pro-freedom film. The Internet belongs to the people, not to an alliance of big government and big business interests.

Q. What prompted you and your associates to make the film?

A. If we didn’t make this film, who would? This story hasn’t been told on the big screen, because in order to tell it right you have to take on the Motion Picture Association of America – not exactly a great strategy for getting your film distributed in the traditional manner. But this is a story that we felt had to be told, so we just went for it and haven’t looked back.

Q. It’s fast-paced, with lots of intrigue. How were you able to make a cerebral subject entertaining?

A. Lots and lots of collaboration. We were able to team up with some brilliant minds, hundreds of drafts and edits, and a close study of Joseph Campbell’s “Hero’s Journey.”

Q. What is your take on the FCC's recent decision on net neutrality?

A. It was a big victory for the free and open Internet, free press and democracy itself. However there is lot of money being pumped into Washington right now in an effort reverse the decision.

Q. What is the lesson of hacker Aaron Swartz’s demise, featured in the film?

A. When you take on powerful interests, you definitely get a target placed firmly on your back. And those powerful interests will stop at nothing to intimidate, imprison and misinform the public.

Q. What experience can viewers expect when they watch the movie?

A. Expect to be entertained and informed. If you like the Internet and like to root for an underdog, then you will enjoy this film.

Q. What has it been like, seeing the effect your film has on audiences?

A. We always get butterflies when “Killswitch” is shown to a new audience. Being a part of the energy – the gasps, laughs, applause, and dialogue – is exhilarating. At the end of the day, film is made to be shared and we love everything that comes with that.

Q. After the Newport Beach Film Festival, what is next for “Killswitch”?

A. Warsaw, Poland, is next and then we should be announcing worldwide distribution shortly thereafter.

Contact the writer: fswegles@ocregister.com or 949-492-5127

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