Michael Perlman is a renowned filmmaker, performing artist, attorney, and founder of two non-profit organizations. He has traveled to over 60 countries, delivering speeches at concerts, film screenings, schools, and other venues on topics such as politics, human rights, activism, the law, media, conflict resolution, religion, spirituality, and positive thinking.
Perlman has worked with human rights organizations in the US, Burma, China, and the Sudan. He has been instrumental in providing critical materials to democracy advocates in Burma, which has fostered freedom. Perlman has been selected as an official Artist for Amnesty International.
He co-founded and served on the board of Cross Cultural Solutions (CCS),one of the largest volunteer organizations in the US, which places over 4,000 Americans in 10 countries to assist schools, hospitals, orphanages, and agricultural programs that directly help over 100,000 individuals annually.
Perlman is also the founder and director of Rock To Save Darfur, which has produced concert benefits that have helped thousands of lives and freed hundreds of slaves with partners such as Save The Children and Doctors Without Borders.
As a filmmaker, Perlman produced, wrote, and directed the New York Times Critics Choice film "Eyes of the World," which Variety praised as "intense, passionate, and intelligent." This behind-the-scenes look into war journalism reveals the physical and emotional price paid by photojournalists as they document human rights atrocities and the human capacity to endure. Photographs from the film were used to prosecute war criminals in The Hague.
Perlman produced, wrote, and directed the award-winning PBS International documentary "Tibet: Beyond Fear," which has been translated into 12 languages and broadcast on television worldwide. The New York Times hailed the film as "emotional, riveting, and compelling." The film highlights Ngwang, a Buddhist nun, and Bagdro, a Buddhist monk, who led freedom protests in Tibet at the ages of 13 and 20.
Perlman wrote, produced, and directed the award-winning Comcast film "Free China: The Courage To Believe." The film examines the widespread human rights violations in China through the stories of Jennifer Zeng, a mother and former Communist Party member, and Dr. Charles Lee, a Chinese American businessman, who are among the hundreds of thousands of peaceful citizens tortured and subject to slave labor, producing products exported to department stores throughout the US. The film also highlights new Internet technologies that are bypassing government censorship and allowing free information into closed societies.
The New York Times has praised the film as "stirring, with narrative power." Karen Curry, former CNN New York Bureau Chief, has described the film as "intensely compelling," and indieWIRE has hailed the film as "deeply inspiring."
Perlman wrote, produced, and directed the award-winning film "The 99%: Occupy Everywhere." Narrated by Lou Reed, featuring Russell Simmons and Jeffrey Sachs, the film explores the voices of a diverse group of Americans who share the belief that money in politics has corrupted American democracy, affected legislation, and transferred income from 99% of the population to multi-national corporations and the wealthiest Americans. Issues such as fair taxation, greater access to health and education, the environment, debt, job creation, and gun safety are addressed, and solutions are offered for a fairer and more sustainable future.
Perlman is also the founder and lead vocalist of the socially conscious band, Rejectionist Front. The single "Fifty Dollars" about freeing slaves in Africa, from the debut CD mixed by Grammy Winner Andy Wallace, played on radio nationwide. An upcoming CD "Evolve" will be released shortly. The band has had the honor of sharing the stage with many inspiring artists, including Talib Kweli, George Clinton & P-Funk, Joan Baez, Immortal Technique, and the Nappy Roots. Rejectionist Front is proud to play in support of vital causes including Rock The Vote, Save Darfur, Wounded Warrior, the USO, Rock Against Dystrophy, and Occupy Wall Street. Their single "Reclaim" is part of the Music For Occupy compilation along with many socially conscious artists, including Crosby and Nash, Jackson Browne, Warren Haynes, Patti Smith, Third Eye Blind, and Tom Morello. The music video "Flush," highlighting bank fraud that led to the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression, was featured on MTV as part of the Sounds of the Revolution.
