ABOUT THE FILM

LONG SYNOPSIS

What makes a country a country? What makes a state a state? A nation a nation? And what’s to stop you from starting your own? In a globe-hopping search for an answer to these fundamental but little understood questions of sovereignty, HOW TO START YOUR OWN COUNTRY visits six micronations—unrecognized self-declared sovereign entities that you will not find on a political map. Shapiro’s documentary mixes comedy and compassion with a serious analysis of the concept of statehood and citizenship.

Director Jody Shapiro

Writer Denis Seguin with Jody Shapiro

Producers Phyllis Laing, Jody Shapiro

Co-Producer Denis Seguin

Cinematographer John Gurdebeke

FESTIVALS
TORONTO, IDFA

AVAILABLE TERRITORIES
The World

EXHIBITION FORMATS
HDCAM, DIGIBETA, DVD