Biography

Michael Perlman is an award-winning filmmaker, performing artist, attorney and founder of two not-for-profit organizations. His films have been broadcast on television and screened theatrically around the world. They are available on Amazon, Apple and other digital platforms. His films have also had thousands of private screenings including the US Congress, British Parliament, French Parliament and Directors Guild Of America.

Perlman has traveled to over 80 countries and spoken at film screenings, concert benefits, schools, parliaments and the US Congress as well as on CNN and other media outlets on issues related to politics, human rights, activism, the law, media, conflict resolution, religion, spirituality and positive thinking.

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-frame 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. The film explores how fear can turn to hate and lead to the destruction of a multi- ethnic democratic country.

Perlman produced, wrote and directed the award winning PBS International documentary "Tibet: Beyond Fear." It has been broadcast on television worldwide. The New York Times hailed the film as "Emotional .... Riveting.... Compelling." With an opening by Richard Gere, the film includes the Dalai Lama and the International Advocacy Director of Amnesty International. This documentary highlights Ngwang, a Buddhist nun, and Bagdro, a Buddhist monk, who at the ages of 13 and 20 led freedom protests in Tibet. The film explores how through the power of the positive mind, they overcame prison and torture while finding a path to inner peace and forgiveness.

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 along with millions of peaceful citizens are forced into slave labor, producing products exported to department stores throughout the United States. As fellow prisoners are murdered for their organs, they struggle to be free and return to their families. The documentary 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.narrative power" Karen Curry, former CNN New York Bureau Chief, has described the film as "Intensely compelling" and indie WIRE has hailed the film as "deeply inspiring."

Perlman wrote, produced and directed the award -winning Participant Media film "The 99%: Occupy Everywhere." Narrated by Lou Reed, the film showcases 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, criminal justice and gun safety are addressed and solutions are offered for a fairer and more sustainable future.

Perlman wrote, produced and directed "The Politics Of Hate". The subject has been featured on 60 Minutes, CBS Evening News, CNN and MSNBC. The film documents the inspiring journey of Christian Picciolini, from a leader of the White Supremacist Movement to an FBI informant working to dismantle the movement he helped create. As a father who could’t raise his child in a world of hate, Christian forged friendships among many minority communities that he used to attack and came to understand that their shared common experiences of love, pain and loss can create empathy. He established a not for profit comprised of former white supremacists who now pull people out of extremists groups as they dedicate their lives to combating hate, This timely film documents the last hundred years of hate in the USA from the rise of fascism during the 1920s straight through to today while highlighting how great progress is met with a fierce backlash that ultimately leads to a better future.

Perlman was a producer on the Apple Studio film " Bang: The Bert Berns Story" about one of the greatest songwriters and music producers of the 1960's whose hits include Twist and Shout, I Want Candy, Piece Of My Heart and Cry Baby. Featuring Paul McCartney, Keith Richards, Van Morrison and Etta James, the film highlights a young man's races against time. Diagnosed with a rare heart condition and told he will be dead by 30, he lives until almost 40, tearing down racial barriers as he makes an astonishing collection of groundbreaking songs that stand the test of time.

Alongside fellow MRI Sony Music label mates Third Eye Blind, Black Crowes and Bjork, Perlman is also the founder, songwriter and lead vocalist of the NYC rock band, Rejectionist Front. Their single "Fifty Dollars", mixed by Grammy Winner Andy Wallace (Springsteen, Nirvana, Rage Against The Machine, Perfect Circle), played on radio nationwide. The track "Reclaim" is part of a benefit album for economic and political justice along with many socially conscious artists including Crosby & Nash, Jackson Browne, Warren Haynes, Patti Smith and Tom Morello. The music video "Flush," was featured on MTV as one of the Top Ten Sounds of the Revolution. The most recent music video "What About The People" has garnished millions of views on You Tube. The band has had the honor of sharing the stage with many inspiring artists, including George Clinton & P-Funk, Joan Baez, Talib Kweli, Redman, Immortal Technique and the Nappy Roots. Rejectionist Front is proud to play in support of many vital causes including Rock The Vote, Wounded Warrior, Save Darfur, Free Tibet and End Mass Incarceration.

Perlman has been selected by Amnesty International as an official Artist for Amnesty. He works with human rights organizations in the US, Burma, China, Malawi and the Sudan.

Perlman helped found and served on the board of Cross Cultural Solutions (CCS), one of the largest volunteer organizations in the United States. With a staff of over 200 and a special consultative status with the United Nations, CCS places more than 4,000 Americans in 10 countries to assist schools, hospitals, orphanages and agricultural programs that directly help more than 100,000 individuals annually.

Perlman is also the founder and director of Rock To Save Darfur, which has produced concert benefits and raised funds that have helped thousands of lives and free hundreds of slaves in the Sudan with partners such as Save The Children and Doctors Without Borders. The NGO also partners with MMM to raise money for water wells in Malawi that saves hundreds of lives a year from water born diseases.
- IMDb mini biography by: Kean Wong

Writer, Producer, Director of The Politics Of Hate. This television documentary film tells the inspiring story of Christian Picciolini, a former leader of the White Supremacist Movement now combating hate, featured on 60 Minutes, CBS, CNN and MSNBC. The film also features Mark Potok, the Senior Fellow at the Southern Poverty Law Center, a partner organization at the forefront of monitoring and combating hate. The film also explores the last 100 years of hate in the US and offers hope that profound positive change is often followed by a backlash but ultimately the arch of history bends toward progress.

Perlman's band Rejectionist Front released the album Evolve, featuring the song "Flush" voted one of the Top 10 Sounds of the Revolution" by MTV as well as the track "Reclaim" that is part on Independent Music Award nominated benefit compilation alongside other socially conscious artists including Crosby and Nash, Patti Smith, Tom Morello and Third Eye Blind.
- IMDb mini biography by: Michael Perlman