Invisible Children has released a sequel to Kony 2012 on Thursday, after the group's first 30-minute film shedding light on Ugandan warlord Joseph Kony attracted over 100 million views across the world.
The new film, entitled, "Kony 2012 Part II: Beyond Famous" aims to set the record straight after Invisible Children's first film attacted widespread criticism for washing over the facts related to Kony's Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and the years of violent struggle in Uganda. According to the film's producers, the film intends to "explain the creation of the campaign, the progress that’s been made, and what we can do now to stop the violence of the LRA."
But whether the new film will be capable of clearing the air surrounding the initial Kony 2012 video, or will result in even further backlash from viewers, remains to be seen. Shortly after the first video was released, Invisible Children co-founder Jason Russell was hospitalized in San Diego after residents claimed he was "running through the street in his underwear, screaming and pounding his fists on the sidewalk." That bizarre incident brought even further scrutiny on the organization and elicited further backlash against the Kony 2012 campaign. Not surprisingly, Russell does not play a role in the second film.
The sequel aims to provide a more "comprehensive approach" for how to stop Joseph Kony, including civilian protection, urging peaceful surrender, providing rehabilitation centers in post-conflict areas, and arresting Kony. Like the first film, the movie urges viewers to take action and contact policymakers. On April 20, the organization will be hosting a mass day of action called "Cover the Night," and the film urges viewers to participate.
The film makes use of many of the same emotive techniques -- sinister music, graphic images, on-the-camera interview with Ugandans -- to hook the viewer. But, the film leaves many of the same questions still unanswered: Is U.S. invervention in Uganda feasible or appropriate? Is Invisible Children the right organization to lead the charge? Where are viewers' donations going?
PolicyMic will be covering the reactions to the film live. Check back for live updates, interviews, videos, and more.
UPDATE I: The LRA has released a full response to the Kony 2012 video. Read the text here.
