Invisible Children releases sequel to #Kony2012

New video 'Beyond Famous' addresses criticism.

On April 5, Invisible Children released “Beyond Famous,” a 20-minute follow-up documentary to its first “Kony 2012” video. Since the release of “Kony 2012” on March 5, more than 100 million people have viewed it online, making it the fastest viral video in history.

Despite a backlash for what many labeled an overly simplistic portrayal of the conflict in Central Africa, Invisible Children continues to push for the arrest of Lord’s Resistance Army leader Joseph Kony.

The new video also takes on several of the criticisms that Invisible Children received over the past month. “Beyond Famous” has received more than 900,000 YouTube views two days after its release. “Kony 2012” garnered 7 million views during its first two days.

Here are some highlights of the conversation online:

View the story "Invisible Children releases sequel to #Kony2012" on StorifyInvisible Children releases sequel to #Kony2012New video 'Beyond Famous' addresses criticism. Storified by The Stream · Fri, Apr 06 2012 17:20:18"KONY 2012: Part II - Beyond Famous" was released on April 4.KONY 2012: Part II - Beyond FamousinvisiblechildrenincInvisible Children and its CEO Ben Keesey have been actively promoting the second documentary on Twitter. #Kony2012 Part II: Beyond Famous. Launching on Thursday. For anyone who saw the first film, you need to see this.BenKeeseyStop at nothing. http://t.co/SB3kOBpB #KONY2012 #beyondfamousInvisible Children Invisible Children posted this photo on their Facebook page, which shows staff making last minute edits to "Beyond Famous."AkamaihdSome netizens thought Invisible Children portrayed the situation more accurately in the second documentary:New @Invisible video, #Kony2012 Part II, adresses criticisms & questions: http://t.co/YvoNpwVu Quite the impressive turnaround #beyondfamousTalya Minsberg @RealMattConrod http://t.co/cl1SQdn5 #beyondfamous I think we can both agree they did a much better job with this one. #globalcommunityJason Lawsonnvr been more excited 2 write a research ppr. @Invisible-thank u 4 opening my eyes. My world will nvr be the same. #KONY2012 #beyondfamousBriana SmithThis tweeter noted the power of social media to spread awareness for campaigns such as Invisible Children's:I like that #beyondfamous has highlighted that in a world of facebook, youtube, skype and twitter we can all c each other and seek helpIan WishartHowever, many netizens were still critical or wary of the documentary's message and intentions:Interesting, interesting. Invisible Children is now taking pride in being humble. #beyondfamous. #Kony2012Janneke BaardaAnother ridiculously emotive video from @Invisible going #beyondfamous seems to now involve litter picking. #KONY2012 a continental problemClemmie Brooks@dan_ming 1 of the main criticisms is tt they do little but release films, it's a bad idea for them to release yet another film. #Kony2012Kirsten Han#kony2012 #beyondfamous fails miserably to address critics, misses point. white savior fundamentalistchrist, Uganda where gays get killed,Adam GreenbergWatching #Kony2012 sequel in #Uganda. Bit on 'failure' of traditional approaches pretty upsetting. So is backwards Arabic on #Kony posterNoah#Kony2012 still fatally flawed: the solution to the situation in Uganda and region does not depend on young Americans' awareness of Kony.Zach Warner@AJStream The West declared Kony's LRA as a terrorist group after 9/11. Similar stories led to the invasion of Iraq & #AfghanistanFatima AnsariLaura Seay, who has been vocal about her criticisms of "Kony 2012," gave this critique of "Beyond Famous":Okay, I watched Beyond Kony. Still unexplained: why none of @Invisible's non-Ugandan staff can correctly pronounce "Kony." #StopKonyLaura SeayHowever, Beyond Kony is still problematic in that it frames Central Africa as being in need of white saviors. #StopKonyLaura SeayI appreciate that Beyond Kony featured mostly African voices, though how many of those aren't beneficiaries of IC programs is unclear.Laura SeayThe heroes of Beyond Kony are still outsiders, not the Africans working to lead change in their own communities. #StopKonyLaura SeayInvisible Children is asking supporters to participate in its "Cover the Night" event on April 20. The organisation calls on everyone to make signs about Kony and plaster them around their town.Cover The NightinvisiblechildrenincAnyone still up for cover the night? #hmu #beyondfamousMaddie Hemmenreally excited for #CoverTheNight ...I just need my action kit e.e #KONY2012 #beyondfamousTori-KunInvisible Children has also been criticised for creating Kony 2012 action kits to raise awareness.AkamaihdThis video is a response from Invisible Children to the high demand for the action kits.Your order is on its way!invisiblechildrenincInvisible Children has created an interactive LRA Crisis Tracker that is continually being updated with alleged atrocities committed by the LRA. According to Invisible Children, 57 people have been abducted since the release of "Kony 2012."Flickr

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Invisible Children releases sequel to #Kony2012

Invisible Children releases sequel to #Kony2012

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