TPB - AFK is a documentary structured like a political thriller and vice versa. It employs traditional film-making conventions (irony, drama, fact presentation) although the means by which it is produced, shot and distributed, are highly unconventional. It chronicles the persecution of the founding members of The Pirate Bay by members an objectively corrupt force. The film remains open-ended which is not only the right choice (dramatically) but also a realistic choice, as the ghosts of copyright infringement will probably haunt us longer than the war on drugs or terror. So, watch this first and pay later (or don't) if you like it, which is a far better deal than most cultural objects require from their audience nowadays...
40 Reviews
Interesting But Ultimately Unfulfilling
gagedufresne9 February 2013
I'm a little floored by the 10 star ratings for this film. Sure, the overall story is one that people should know but this is not the vehicle to deliver it. You get absolutely no sense of who any of these people really are except in two tiny instances. Likewise, you get no depth of understanding of the issues TPB is being prosecuted over. I'm especially disappointed because this really is a story that everyone who values internet freedom should know but the film just doesn't deliver anything more than, "The big, mean movie and music conglomerates are out to get us little guys." There are so many reasonable arguments against what is being done to TPB but this film just resorts to snide remarks about industry calculations without showing WHY and HOW they miss the mark by so much.
In short, this documentary doesn't really work on either level a documentary should; it doesn't give the viewer a solid understanding of the issues at hand and it doesn't make you feel for the people involved.
In short, this documentary doesn't really work on either level a documentary should; it doesn't give the viewer a solid understanding of the issues at hand and it doesn't make you feel for the people involved.
A harmfully objective documentary
cosmingurau9 February 2013
It's pretty to look at. Some nice camera-work. Some nice fine grain on that 5D footage. Yet for me, a huge disappointment. This film, when it was advertised on kickstarter, was supposed to tell the story of the three "pirates". And it kind of does that. The only problem is, it doesn't really put it into any kind of context, it doesn't actually SAY anything. To be honest, this film alone, made the three seem like a bunch of irresponsible idiots, who deserve their punishment, for making money off piracy. To the average viewer, who doesn't really understand the whole problem of file sharing, and has been brought up to see media piracy as an evil, the three "modern day robin hoods" seem more like "teenage-mentality" crooks. It didn't really present anything about the whole "copying is not theft" argument, about the real problem of copyright. It briefly presents Flattr, but without attributing the huge importance that it has, at least in concept. We see the guys speaking all the time that "we see things differently", but never explain in detail what that actually means. I understand that the film focuses on them as individual persons, and it does present them pretty much as they are, and it's nice to finally see their personalities, but really, the whole piracy problem is new and must be better presented. I feel that the film actually puts them in a horrible light. I feel that this film does more harm than it does good to the very cause it advertises on its site-blog. I recommend, for a better understanding of the whole issue, the older, yet superior "Steal This Film" documentaries, freely available on TBP. If Simon Klose is reading this, then I urge you to include the "Swedish Perspective" presentations in the film, or things that help the audience better understand the context. No one wants to educate the public about these issues. The film is harmfully objective. And because of the lack of insight of the general public on this topic, it's actually... not fair.
An education on things I never knew happened
jimmydoyle19775 February 2013
OK, so we all know ThePirateBay and the majority of netizens have visited it on at least one occasion to share files. What do we really know about the Pirate Bay ? Not a lot it seems. I was luckily invited to see an advanced screening of this documentary. I expected it to be an interesting story. I got what I expected and more. The twists and turns of the reality of how The Pirate Bay was formed, how the authorities went after them and how much The Pirate Bay has affected the lives of so many people, is such an intriguing tale. I definitely recommend this film to all netizens as a 100% must watch film about our generation and at it's core, our online culture and the attempts of the powerful to control the internet. Even if you are just a casual internet user who is mildly curious about internet culture, this is a must watch documentary. 10/10 because... gripping story that has never been told and doesn't end up as you expected... is truly... "gripping story"
A Lesson about the greed that exists in society today
chevchelios639 February 2013
As one of the 25 million users TPB i feel incensed at the forces at work to shut down this amazing site. They claim to be protecting the Artists who make music and movies possible, but all they are worried about is 'the old way of making money'. It is a clash of generations, on the one hand you have the dinosaurs, driven by greed & getting filthy rich from the efforts of others. On the other, you have a bunch of realists, people who have realised that times are changing faster than anyone could have imagined.
The current model of Copyright has no future, it is an over priced relic from a time where the ability to share so easily was impossible. The Spotify/Netflix model is the only future for this industry.
The current model of Copyright has no future, it is an over priced relic from a time where the ability to share so easily was impossible. The Spotify/Netflix model is the only future for this industry.
Interesting but boring
droida389 February 2013
I really looked forward to this movie, but I must say that I found it a little disappointing.
After seeing it, I don't know what the intentions of the creator was supposed to be?
We follow the three founders of TPB, but don't get to feel with them, as their motivation and feelings are never revealed.
And it just feels very somewhat shallow.
I don't know what more to say, but IMDb tells me to write a least 10 lines. Yes, I know it's a pretty lame review, but I just wanted to express my first impression.
After seeing it, I don't know what the intentions of the creator was supposed to be?
We follow the three founders of TPB, but don't get to feel with them, as their motivation and feelings are never revealed.
And it just feels very somewhat shallow.
I don't know what more to say, but IMDb tells me to write a least 10 lines. Yes, I know it's a pretty lame review, but I just wanted to express my first impression.
Great documentary
Stoffe8 February 2013
Excellent story about real people taking the blame for dinosaurs failure to evolve. It is amazing too see how different generations fail to communicate. Please give the power and money back to the artists, make them understand they have to work to have an income, that culture is a commodity that is cheap because of the extreme supply and abolish the right to own other peoples copyrights.
Simon Klose makes an objective documentation of our time and puts the people ahead of the story. This is not a film in the end about piracy, it is a film about however unlikely an insurgent, an ideologist and a techie ended up together against the rest of the organised world. About individual loss but the win of a just cause.
Simon Klose makes an objective documentation of our time and puts the people ahead of the story. This is not a film in the end about piracy, it is a film about however unlikely an insurgent, an ideologist and a techie ended up together against the rest of the organised world. About individual loss but the win of a just cause.
"Breath-taking, Awasome, a 10-rated Documentary"
nicko_bou7 February 2013
This movie is simply Breathtaking.
It's a must watched movie from anyone that call himself political- activated and also a Pirate. The documentary contain everything that we must know about the founders, the crew, the story, the enemy and the pirates(peers). Learn about the role of Hollywood, Swedish government, people and File-Sharing's future! All The story behind the curtains of a Huge historical Ship, its captains and all of us; its pirates!
The movie will motivated you to continue support of the ship and its founders.By the way, it will definitely make you smile/cry in the end!
I think enough said. . . .
It's a must watched movie from anyone that call himself political- activated and also a Pirate. The documentary contain everything that we must know about the founders, the crew, the story, the enemy and the pirates(peers). Learn about the role of Hollywood, Swedish government, people and File-Sharing's future! All The story behind the curtains of a Huge historical Ship, its captains and all of us; its pirates!
The movie will motivated you to continue support of the ship and its founders.By the way, it will definitely make you smile/cry in the end!
I think enough said. . . .
Better than I expected
mustardman2910 February 2013
I was expecting this to be like one of those low budget pro marijuana documentaries. Production value is surprisingly high. The documentary didn't seem to have too much of a bias which was good. It just told the story as it happened. I think if you are a computer geek type you will find this more interesting than the general public. Lots of techy speak. Scenes in data centers and what not.
I found the piratebay guys to be kind of boring. Just dumb kids really. I would have loved for them to be able to sit in the court room and give eloquent speeches about how it doesn't matter what happens to them or pirate bay. There are already alternative websites and Hollywood should be trying to address the demand rather than the people who are simply responding to that with available technology. Technology does not wait for outdated business models to catch up.
So if you are looking for statements like that you aren't going to find them in this movie. Just some young guys who like to spend a lot of time on computers trying to fight the system.
I found the piratebay guys to be kind of boring. Just dumb kids really. I would have loved for them to be able to sit in the court room and give eloquent speeches about how it doesn't matter what happens to them or pirate bay. There are already alternative websites and Hollywood should be trying to address the demand rather than the people who are simply responding to that with available technology. Technology does not wait for outdated business models to catch up.
So if you are looking for statements like that you aren't going to find them in this movie. Just some young guys who like to spend a lot of time on computers trying to fight the system.
The Internet is more than we think
jazzchipc10 February 2013
Who would have guessed 20 years ago that Petabytes of information and data would be available for everyone with just a few clicks? Who would have guessed that millions of people would be sharing stuff with other people that they'll never know?
ARPANet was the beginning of a huge phenomena: the Internet. It's something you can't actually touch, yet it's there. It connects everyone, even if they are in opposite sides of the world. The Internet is more than a network, it's a part of OUR life!
Can you imagine spending a whole year without coming to the Internet? Not catching up with your friends, not playing online games, not researching for that work you're making, not seeing the latest viral videos, not writing about what you're eating. The Internet became the world! The Pirate Bay is just a proof of how the Internet rules over everything!
Because you see, TPB is not a warehouse where you can pick up anything you want. No. TPB is a gate. What TPB does is allowing you and me to share things with each other. What we used to do by re-writing CD's and VHS is what TPb is allowing us to do. And it's one of the greatest ideas ever!
I know so many things mainly because of everything I download from the Internet. Movies, documentaries, series, books, music... Everything contributes to our culture, to our wisdom! Hell, it contributes to the evolution of the HUMANITY! Why stop our own advance just because some companies lose little money a year? Yes, they lose LITTLE money. Take the example of videogames: most of them have online features nowadays; you can't play online in most hacked versions, so you have to buy the game. But at least, when you buy it, you know you like it! The same applies for everything else! COMPANIES NEVER LOSE MONEY, THEY JUST WANT TO MONOPOLIZE EVERYTHING!
This documentary shows that pretty well, and shows that all it takes to change the Internet, to change the world, is an idea and work. They're just 3 and they created the biggest thing in the whole Internet. We're more than 6 billion! Can't we change the world as well?
ARPANet was the beginning of a huge phenomena: the Internet. It's something you can't actually touch, yet it's there. It connects everyone, even if they are in opposite sides of the world. The Internet is more than a network, it's a part of OUR life!
Can you imagine spending a whole year without coming to the Internet? Not catching up with your friends, not playing online games, not researching for that work you're making, not seeing the latest viral videos, not writing about what you're eating. The Internet became the world! The Pirate Bay is just a proof of how the Internet rules over everything!
Because you see, TPB is not a warehouse where you can pick up anything you want. No. TPB is a gate. What TPB does is allowing you and me to share things with each other. What we used to do by re-writing CD's and VHS is what TPb is allowing us to do. And it's one of the greatest ideas ever!
I know so many things mainly because of everything I download from the Internet. Movies, documentaries, series, books, music... Everything contributes to our culture, to our wisdom! Hell, it contributes to the evolution of the HUMANITY! Why stop our own advance just because some companies lose little money a year? Yes, they lose LITTLE money. Take the example of videogames: most of them have online features nowadays; you can't play online in most hacked versions, so you have to buy the game. But at least, when you buy it, you know you like it! The same applies for everything else! COMPANIES NEVER LOSE MONEY, THEY JUST WANT TO MONOPOLIZE EVERYTHING!
This documentary shows that pretty well, and shows that all it takes to change the Internet, to change the world, is an idea and work. They're just 3 and they created the biggest thing in the whole Internet. We're more than 6 billion! Can't we change the world as well?
Interesting stuff if unresolved for now. Like a magazine article brought to life in its moody atmosphere.
Sergeant_Tibbs26 June 2013
I've always heard about the legal action taken towards The Pirate Bay but I've never seen the characters behind the website. Away From Keyboard shows their personalities shining, even if Peter Sunde is the only one who seems like a reasonable human being. With its trial setting, the film is an argument on the pros and cons of The Pirate Bay and fortunately it does look into the con side despite following the pioneers of the website. While I sit in the middle, it does seem like both sides are quite close minded without room to budge, hopefully a compromise will be made someday. It's an interesting film, even if it focuses on the trial too much, I wanted a bit of the history, a bit more scene setting. But it's slickly edited and shot, though they've saturated the image so much that it's really dark and moody. The atmosphere of conflict and revolution. It's a good documentary, albeit one that just scratches the surface. Like a magazine article brought to life.
7/10
7/10
TPB AFK The Pirate Bay Away from Keyboard: Great story, but we already know it
Platypuschow19 January 2024
Plot
An intellectual freedoms documentary based around the interpersonal triumphs, and defeats of the three main characters against the largest industry in the known universe. The media industry.
Cast
Not familiar with the creators.
Verdict
The story of the Pirate Bay is a well documented one, not only other documentaries but it's been international mainstream news multiple times so most folks already know at least the basics.
This pulls back the veil, tells the story again and to its credit isn't overly bias in its approach, after all piracy is an issue most have a strong opinion of one way or another.
The trouble is as I was watching TPB AFK I felt an overwhelming state of deja-vu. Seen this, know this, what else is new? Oh wait here come the credits.
If you know the story this is a waste of 85 minutes.
Rants
My opinion on piracy varies. You pirate a movie that's out at the cinema, that's one thing but what about pirating a 30 year old video game that you couldn't buy even if you wanted to? Then you have the issue of exclusivity on streaming platforms. How many are there now? Countless, you have to pay for each and the movie you want to see could be an exclusive on any of them? That could get expensive real quick, or absurd bouncing back and forth. They talk about the cost of piracy on the industry but then every year the budgets of movies get higher and new record profits are recorded. Something isn't right, say what you want about piracy but it's not as black and white as people often try to make out.
Breakdown
Fairly well made Feels recycled Not overly engaging.
An intellectual freedoms documentary based around the interpersonal triumphs, and defeats of the three main characters against the largest industry in the known universe. The media industry.
Cast
Not familiar with the creators.
Verdict
The story of the Pirate Bay is a well documented one, not only other documentaries but it's been international mainstream news multiple times so most folks already know at least the basics.
This pulls back the veil, tells the story again and to its credit isn't overly bias in its approach, after all piracy is an issue most have a strong opinion of one way or another.
The trouble is as I was watching TPB AFK I felt an overwhelming state of deja-vu. Seen this, know this, what else is new? Oh wait here come the credits.
If you know the story this is a waste of 85 minutes.
Rants
My opinion on piracy varies. You pirate a movie that's out at the cinema, that's one thing but what about pirating a 30 year old video game that you couldn't buy even if you wanted to? Then you have the issue of exclusivity on streaming platforms. How many are there now? Countless, you have to pay for each and the movie you want to see could be an exclusive on any of them? That could get expensive real quick, or absurd bouncing back and forth. They talk about the cost of piracy on the industry but then every year the budgets of movies get higher and new record profits are recorded. Something isn't right, say what you want about piracy but it's not as black and white as people often try to make out.
Breakdown
Fairly well made Feels recycled Not overly engaging.
Great Film, Long Live the PirateBay
maxb19810 February 2013
The film is excellent at portraying how corrupt large corporations are especially the Media, they will stop at nothing to squeeze every penny they can out of your pockets and Piratebay are liberators, they allow us to download the movie then decide if we want to pay for it or not it's a truly fair system, I bought Avatar, Batman, Saw series, Harry Potter etc. Disappointing films like the Skyline will not see a penny from my pocket.
A Big thank out to the creators of the Piratebay, you have truly changed the world!
Max
A Big thank out to the creators of the Piratebay, you have truly changed the world!
Max
the pirate bay will never lose.
cornrocket9 February 2013
I give it a nine for the cause.
The movie really showed me how stupid the system is getting into jail because of a crime they did not commit, only because of the pressure from other countries. Thats just wrong.
Altho the movie showed us a lot there was many things forgotten. I wanted to know more about the crew, how they started the site, finance and personally stuff about them. I feel like the movie was to short... It didn't really gave us the whole picture of it all. Also I would like to know more about the technology stuff about the servers and programing about the site.
I did find it very different to other movies because it was made for geeks like my self and therefor i found it very good.
The movie really showed me how stupid the system is getting into jail because of a crime they did not commit, only because of the pressure from other countries. Thats just wrong.
Altho the movie showed us a lot there was many things forgotten. I wanted to know more about the crew, how they started the site, finance and personally stuff about them. I feel like the movie was to short... It didn't really gave us the whole picture of it all. Also I would like to know more about the technology stuff about the servers and programing about the site.
I did find it very different to other movies because it was made for geeks like my self and therefor i found it very good.
Far Less Informative Than Expected.
CinemaClown5 October 2013
Based on the lives of the three co-founders of The Pirate Bay, the haven website for those who can't afford to pay for each n every digital content on the web, the story of TPB AFK: The Pirate Bay Away From Keyboard follows the trials, tribunals & lawsuits involving these three men who transformed the world of media sharing and the struggle they go through on a personal level.
Frankly, I was looking forward to a documentary that was about "thepiratebay" and not the people who made it happen, more interested in the idea, vision & reason that resulted in its creation than the numerous lawsuits these people were subjected to by some rich & powerful people of the media industry, and the role it has played in the world wide web for none can deny that it has changed the way many people use internet today.
The documentary begins on a good note with all the lawsuits & drama surrounding the case looking interesting enough but it all fizzles out very early into the picture and from that point on, it's a challenge to sit through. Too dull, too serious & too much focused on the trial than giving us a peek into the revolutionary ideas that gave birth to it, and in the second half, it's all about the daily lives of the founding members, which is plainly boring.
On an overall scale, TPB AFK: The Pirate Bay Away From Keyboard is decent documentary that does fine on a technical scale but what should've been its core element is replaced by trivial events that fail to hold any interest for long. Missing out on the opportunity to create something that reflects the rebellious nature of this notorious website against the far bigger & more powerful media industry, TPB AFK: The Pirate Bay Away From Keyboard is certainly not as informative as I expected it to be.
Frankly, I was looking forward to a documentary that was about "thepiratebay" and not the people who made it happen, more interested in the idea, vision & reason that resulted in its creation than the numerous lawsuits these people were subjected to by some rich & powerful people of the media industry, and the role it has played in the world wide web for none can deny that it has changed the way many people use internet today.
The documentary begins on a good note with all the lawsuits & drama surrounding the case looking interesting enough but it all fizzles out very early into the picture and from that point on, it's a challenge to sit through. Too dull, too serious & too much focused on the trial than giving us a peek into the revolutionary ideas that gave birth to it, and in the second half, it's all about the daily lives of the founding members, which is plainly boring.
On an overall scale, TPB AFK: The Pirate Bay Away From Keyboard is decent documentary that does fine on a technical scale but what should've been its core element is replaced by trivial events that fail to hold any interest for long. Missing out on the opportunity to create something that reflects the rebellious nature of this notorious website against the far bigger & more powerful media industry, TPB AFK: The Pirate Bay Away From Keyboard is certainly not as informative as I expected it to be.
Even self-proclaimed pirates will find this surprisingly dull
dlflkj-kkrz06 April 2014
Warning: Spoilers
One might think that a film which boasts an all access pass to the prosecution of the three boys behind the world's largest file sharing website would be thrilling or at least capable of holding one's interest, but sadly this film isn't even capable of the latter.
Admittedly, the first 20 minutes or so or the film are very interesting. We see the boys explain the creation of the website; we see boys at a few preliminary hearings introducing themselves and making a few statements. (By the way, I say "boys" because none of them seem to possess anything close to a manly trait, aside from the occasional neckbeard) We see the inherent culture-clash between the judges and lawyers and the militantly geeky co-founders. (Says one of the hackers, "How did she (prosecutor) mix up bits and bytes!? Bytes measures storage, while bits is typically used to measure transfer rates.")
We also hear the boy's legal defense. Here it is in all it's glory: "We didn't personally share copyrighted material, we simply created a file sharing system. What users did with that system is not our business." By the way, this legal argument has nothing to do whatsoever with the actual political beliefs of the Pirate Bay, which was founded by an organization which wants to abolish all copyright laws entirely.
Unfortunately, what is never fully articulated is the response to their arguments. Surely, at least someone has a well reasoned argument in favor of protecting copyright laws. Instead we are given one or two sound bytes from the prosecutor about "making the Swedish respect copyright laws." Surely there's more to the story.
Then the film deteriorates into a series of pointless scenes depicting the life of two of the boys (the neckbeard apparently fled from the camera crew) while they 1) sit in front of dimly lit computer screens and complain about how stupid the judge is, 2) get stupid drunk and start flying off the handle about "unencrypted emails" or 3) show up to their appeals hearing and talk about how bored/sick they are. All of this could have theoretically been entertaining, but the film lacks a single likable character. (What was I expecting from a bunch of pale computer hackers?)
The most entertaining scenes from the last hour or so of the film include the 2 appearances by the process server who functions as a safe target for one of the boys anger and disrespect. Why not?
Spoiler alert, they get convicted. Then we see the boys learn about it, (as well as the denial of their first appeal) through a dimly lit computer screen
Admittedly, the first 20 minutes or so or the film are very interesting. We see the boys explain the creation of the website; we see boys at a few preliminary hearings introducing themselves and making a few statements. (By the way, I say "boys" because none of them seem to possess anything close to a manly trait, aside from the occasional neckbeard) We see the inherent culture-clash between the judges and lawyers and the militantly geeky co-founders. (Says one of the hackers, "How did she (prosecutor) mix up bits and bytes!? Bytes measures storage, while bits is typically used to measure transfer rates.")
We also hear the boy's legal defense. Here it is in all it's glory: "We didn't personally share copyrighted material, we simply created a file sharing system. What users did with that system is not our business." By the way, this legal argument has nothing to do whatsoever with the actual political beliefs of the Pirate Bay, which was founded by an organization which wants to abolish all copyright laws entirely.
Unfortunately, what is never fully articulated is the response to their arguments. Surely, at least someone has a well reasoned argument in favor of protecting copyright laws. Instead we are given one or two sound bytes from the prosecutor about "making the Swedish respect copyright laws." Surely there's more to the story.
Then the film deteriorates into a series of pointless scenes depicting the life of two of the boys (the neckbeard apparently fled from the camera crew) while they 1) sit in front of dimly lit computer screens and complain about how stupid the judge is, 2) get stupid drunk and start flying off the handle about "unencrypted emails" or 3) show up to their appeals hearing and talk about how bored/sick they are. All of this could have theoretically been entertaining, but the film lacks a single likable character. (What was I expecting from a bunch of pale computer hackers?)
The most entertaining scenes from the last hour or so of the film include the 2 appearances by the process server who functions as a safe target for one of the boys anger and disrespect. Why not?
Spoiler alert, they get convicted. Then we see the boys learn about it, (as well as the denial of their first appeal) through a dimly lit computer screen
Must see for CopyRight lovers.
LordElrondd9 February 2013
Excellent film. This is one film that took very long to make and was long expected. it gives you an excellent overview to what Piratebay is and what is its vision and mission ( although if you are a internet user, its highly unlikely that you are not already familiar with TPB)
we get to go around on the journey with 3 people who have the most influence on PirateBay and see the story and their troubles from their view points, not based on the lies that's being spread in the media. I personally had a immediate attachment to these people and I respect their work.
We get to see how far corporate giants in Hollywood will go to bring down these who are essentially creating buzz for them. Hollywood does not realize that the file sharing sites such as TPB does not damage their companies but rather by sharing the files online, they create an unwanted "buzz" that eventually leads to more profits for the companies. this point is very well shown in the film.
one interesting aspect is that you can see how the US ( mainly Hollywood) companies try to bully these guys off their ground. as if they also have such power in other lands. it is really sickening.
10/10. recommended to everyone.
we get to go around on the journey with 3 people who have the most influence on PirateBay and see the story and their troubles from their view points, not based on the lies that's being spread in the media. I personally had a immediate attachment to these people and I respect their work.
We get to see how far corporate giants in Hollywood will go to bring down these who are essentially creating buzz for them. Hollywood does not realize that the file sharing sites such as TPB does not damage their companies but rather by sharing the files online, they create an unwanted "buzz" that eventually leads to more profits for the companies. this point is very well shown in the film.
one interesting aspect is that you can see how the US ( mainly Hollywood) companies try to bully these guys off their ground. as if they also have such power in other lands. it is really sickening.
10/10. recommended to everyone.
tgchan says YES~! / tgchan.com
tgchan12 September 2023
11min - super interesting from the very beginning/ I might be biased because I have practically grew up on Pirate Bay. I only watch/play/listen to original material and support all the artists but I loved the freedom I had when I was in my teens. Especially with little to no money/ It's very controversial and super interesting to me personally. They are like unspoken heroes and villains in one/
24min - a bit chaotic but at least everything seems to be in a straightforward timeline
27min - it has got humour xD
53min - bloody 'ell... Zero DAys now this... A real eye opener. Pirate Bay is so much more than free file sharing... A must see for eveyrone using the internet... really
1h 2min - heroes for the masses... and villains for the big companised that are never satisfied with any amount of money... So complicated that you cannot even choose neither side objectivly... Amazing documentary... Huge respect for their will and resilliance... True warriors
A very complicated matter... Even after watching it I still do not really know what to think. I mean I know but it is a really deep thing and hard to come up with the one sided opinion.
It is probably because they do both the good and the bad...
Everyone who has ever used TPB will enjoy this. Even people who used other torrents will find it very interesting and thoughts provoking... It was a good piece of filmography. That's for sure.
As a matter of ethics... This is your choice. I have been pirating half of my life basically... I am proudly supporting and paying for music, films, etc. Now.
Piracy and internet is inseparable... Good vs Evil always existed and it will continues simply because it's a one thing. Yin & Yang. I've been on the dark side and it was great. I am on the light side now and it is also great.
Watch it. Draw your own conclusions/
24min - a bit chaotic but at least everything seems to be in a straightforward timeline
27min - it has got humour xD
53min - bloody 'ell... Zero DAys now this... A real eye opener. Pirate Bay is so much more than free file sharing... A must see for eveyrone using the internet... really
1h 2min - heroes for the masses... and villains for the big companised that are never satisfied with any amount of money... So complicated that you cannot even choose neither side objectivly... Amazing documentary... Huge respect for their will and resilliance... True warriors
A very complicated matter... Even after watching it I still do not really know what to think. I mean I know but it is a really deep thing and hard to come up with the one sided opinion.
It is probably because they do both the good and the bad...
Everyone who has ever used TPB will enjoy this. Even people who used other torrents will find it very interesting and thoughts provoking... It was a good piece of filmography. That's for sure.
As a matter of ethics... This is your choice. I have been pirating half of my life basically... I am proudly supporting and paying for music, films, etc. Now.
Piracy and internet is inseparable... Good vs Evil always existed and it will continues simply because it's a one thing. Yin & Yang. I've been on the dark side and it was great. I am on the light side now and it is also great.
Watch it. Draw your own conclusions/
An intriguing perspective on the fiasco that is copyright law
me-589-1456439 February 2013
I really enjoyed this documentary because the people being filmed were the ones who told the story. There was no narration, no script, just the wit, humor, and emotion of those involved with the case
For me, the main message this documentary portrays is the absolute inability of the legal systems and the content industries themselves to see what the world is demanding right now, at this very point in time. The way the world wants, and is, consuming content is far different to how the major studios want the world to consume content. It is blindingly obvious, and it is at their peril that they continue to ignore what the world wants.
If I'm honest, the founders of The Pirate Bay are a bit loony - the documentary doesn't try to disguise this at all, but I have nothing but the utmost respect for them as people, for what they have been through, what they will continue to go through, but most importantly, for what they stand for. My life is far more enriched and satisfying because these three guys had the guts to stand up on behalf of the world.
The 20th Century has been and gone. Now it's the 21st Century. It's time to see some 21st Century thinking, ideas, business models, and solutions from the content industry to give the world what it wants. However it seems like it's up to the rest of the world to force their hand by costing them more and more money through piracy. Maybe when their earnings actually do start to drop - and we see some proof of that drop - then things will change
Time will tell. Maybe a good first step would be for 20th Century Fox to change its name to 21st Century Fox. It lessens that stone age first impression that you get when you hear the name
For me, the main message this documentary portrays is the absolute inability of the legal systems and the content industries themselves to see what the world is demanding right now, at this very point in time. The way the world wants, and is, consuming content is far different to how the major studios want the world to consume content. It is blindingly obvious, and it is at their peril that they continue to ignore what the world wants.
If I'm honest, the founders of The Pirate Bay are a bit loony - the documentary doesn't try to disguise this at all, but I have nothing but the utmost respect for them as people, for what they have been through, what they will continue to go through, but most importantly, for what they stand for. My life is far more enriched and satisfying because these three guys had the guts to stand up on behalf of the world.
The 20th Century has been and gone. Now it's the 21st Century. It's time to see some 21st Century thinking, ideas, business models, and solutions from the content industry to give the world what it wants. However it seems like it's up to the rest of the world to force their hand by costing them more and more money through piracy. Maybe when their earnings actually do start to drop - and we see some proof of that drop - then things will change
Time will tell. Maybe a good first step would be for 20th Century Fox to change its name to 21st Century Fox. It lessens that stone age first impression that you get when you hear the name
Pirate Bay, you libertarian dream
brubaker-979-65909927 April 2017
The Internet dates more quickly than almost any other contemporary cultural signifier. This is what gave The Social Network much of its leverage: the fact that it was a period film about things that had happened six or seven years previously. Swedish director Simon Klose's absorbing, stirringly indignant but also rather melancholic documentary about the industry-speared decline and fall of the world's biggest file sharing website has a similar effect. Torrents? File-sharing? The Pirate Bay? It all feels like ancient history. Which perhaps proves the film's main point: that in the end, a system with an unlimited appetite and budget for litigation won out against the cyber-libertarians.
Excellent
bboy_monkey_flow8 February 2013
Warning: Spoilers
It's an excellent documentary about the biggest P2P file-sharing on the internet.It says a lot about the crappy system and politics that we have to live with. Piracy is not doing any damage to producers or singers sitting on 100$ bills but big companies always want more and more and they will have it because money run this world, not intelligence. We need to change that,We need to do something about politics, because it is ruled by old men with lots of money who only care about themselves. Internet need to be free. Internet needs freedom of speech.
Please share this movie online.
Please share this movie online.
Missing a lot of useful information
seeker02-326-5324969 February 2013
I must honestly say TPB AFK is not a real good doc. It doesn't give a lot of information, you can basically list the info given in 5 sentences. There is so much more info able to be given in this subject. The build-up is pretty bad aswel and the info given is chaotic. Lots of fragments seem to be randomly edited together. If Simon Klose would only watched other docu- makers or took loose change as an example he could reach a bigger audience without them falling a sleep. Don't get me wrong i support the idea of the Piratebay and frown upon the mass corporations and their copyright laws but this documentary just didn't hit the spot cause there wasn't enough information and it wasn't well edited.
Frustrating but extremely good
mankey_tamer10 February 2013
Warning: Spoilers
I found this documentary extremely interesting and somewhat eye opening. between the trial which was an absolute joke and the people who conducted the trial having conflicting interests, you wouldn't believe it unless you have seen it. If anything the injustice done to them will only increase their following and the fight against unjust anti piracy laws. Like some other people have said, they could have explained things a bit better at the start but most people watching this will already know whats going on. I was really disappointed that their support had gone in the re-trial, its as if they became bored. Sadly the same thing happened for Wikileaks. I am just happy there are people out there willing to risk their freedom so that we can all enjoy our basic rights and that information is still free on the Internet.
Another world is possible (?)
AndytheDirector10 February 2013
Warning: Spoilers
Something about Scandinavians of late brings their best films towards a more persistent motif about hacking. Unlike the Faux-Book biopic SOCIAL NETWORK, a real grasp about what the Internet can mean as the next phase in social evolution from capitalism comes through here. In a sense, this is much closer to an example of what anarchist scholar David Graeber calls 'share economy'. And the most interesting element of that point is the absolute inanity of the subjects of the film, three defendants who would otherwise be losers and wastrels in the eyes of society. One is a pretty pathetic addict who lives in a cycle of crash and burn productivity. Another is a drunken anti-Turkish bigot with a loud mouth. The third, mousy and constantly calling his mom to assure her that everything will be OKAY, is a decent kid, but ultimately idealistic naif who is half-devotee and half-puzzled at why he is hanging out with a junkie and borderline neo- Fascist.
But through this, a world social order emerges despite the efforts of Capital...AMAZING!
But through this, a world social order emerges despite the efforts of Capital...AMAZING!
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