Writer/director Celik Kayalar's 99% is probably exactly what you expect, a film both politically relevant and pointed towards the masses. The film centers around Anne Page (Jessiqa Pace), a young woman trying to do everything she can to survive despite a number of health challenges that make that quite difficult.

In other words, she's part of the 99%.

In the beginning, Anne isn't a particularly political woman despite having quite a bit to fight about. That all changes when she becomes familiar with the "99%" and "Occupy" movements and suddenly realizes she has a voice that can be heard.

The film is a thought-provoking, if not entirely effective, 22-minute short film that will most likely resonate with those for whom the Occupy movement is deep and meaningful. It's doubtful, on the other hand, that anything in Kayalar's film will find new converts or cause much in the way of reflection for those who would disagree with his points in the film.

His points in the film are rather obvious, perhaps most obviously so because of the involvement in the film of Noam Chomsky. Chomsky is a US political theorist and activist whose work continues to be a voice for the 99%.

The film is nicely photographed by Don Starnes, though there's also a stridency in the film that occasionally overwhelms the natural power of its message.

A reminder that we all have a voice that needs and deserves to be heard, 99% is a flawed yet memorable film.

© Written by Richard Propes
The Independent Critic