Description
An inner-city kid with a heart for basketball is the only one willing to stand up to a fearsome group of local hoodlums. But he can’t do it alone, and pays a dear price for his bravado. Now his only chance lies in a frail hope that he might unite those like him, across oceans and ethnic boundaries, to ultimately return for a final climactic showdown on the court.
In 2004, Youth for Human Rights approached 19-year-old Taron Lexton to direct a human rights music video unlike any the world had ever seen. The production would travel 45,000 miles through 14 countries, completely circumnavigating the globe. Seven months later, the film premiered inside the world headquarters of the United Nations. Now you can experience the phenomenon yourself.
“Not only does Lexton have great talent in filmmaking but he is a great advocate and educator.” -Arnold Schwarzenegger
“Beautiful.” -Isaac Hayes
“Powerful.” -Style Magazine
“Inspiring.” -Carol Johnson, WB-TV
“Brilliant. An important contribution to human rights education.” -Craig Mokhiber, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights
UNITED - Music Video
Over 2000 volunteers contributed to this project through their time, resources or other support. The film includes cameos from the likes of Isaac Hayes (South Park), Jenna Elfman (EdTV, Keeping the Faith), Erika Christensen (Traffic, Upside of Anger), Catherine Bell (JAG), Lynsey Bartilson (Grounded for Life) and Sheeraz Hasan (Tinseltown). UNITED has aired on international stations such as Tinseltown TV and PARS TV, as well as national stations such as Atout C UR in south France, the Czech National Radio Nr3, and National Music TV Ocko, which is the most popular music TV station in the country. The film is now available with subtitles in 15 languages. Taron was 19 years old when he directed the film with the rest of the crew being mostly teenagers and pre-teens, making it truly a youth project. Filmed exclusively with consumer cameras and edited with a home computer.
Proceeds benefit Youth For Human Rights International, with purpose to teach kids around the world about human rights and to foster youth-to-youth mentorship (www.youthforhumanrights.org).
AWARDS
Premio Premi Award
GANDHI Youngs For Human Rights,
A LA PELICULA, A LA PEL.LICULA,
Goes To The Film UNITED
The Spirit of Moondance Award
Moondance Festival in Colorado
Best Human Rights Film
Taglio Corto Human Rights Film Festival in Florence
Honorary Youth Film Maker and Best Family Film, Short
Big Bear Film Festival in California
Award of Recognition
Kids Film Fest, Brooklyn International Film Festival
The Grand Jury Award for Best Short Film
New York Independent Film Festival in New York
UNITED has won praise from such notables as the California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn, and Craig Mokhiber, Deputy Director of the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights at the UN Headquarters in New York. In Amsterdam, an organization that educates against oppression and discrimination through a historical exhibition for youth now shows UNITED at the end of each tour.