A dynamic, on-the-ground documentary that captures the rise of the Occupy Wall Street movement in 2011, as thousands of people across the U.S. took to parks, plazas, and financial districts to demand economic justice. Built from footage submitted by more than 100 filmmakers, the film gives an inside look at how a decentralized, leaderless movement shook up global conversations about inequality, corporate power, and the 1%.

With its wide array of voices—from newly politicized students and long-time organizers to laid-off workers and veterans—99% documents both the hope and the tensions of a sprawling, horizontal movement. The film doesn’t offer a single narrative or tidy resolution; instead, it brings viewers into the often chaotic but deeply democratic process of consensus decision-making, creative direct action, and public occupation.

This documentary is an excellent resource for teens and adults looking to understand a major moment in recent movement history. It’s especially useful for activists thinking about the challenges of organizing without centralized leadership, and for those navigating the media’s role in shaping public perception of resistance.

More than a decade later, the legacy of Occupy can still be felt in movements like the Fight for $15, the rise of democratic socialism in U.S. politics, and ongoing housing justice and debt cancellation campaigns. The film captures a turning point when outrage found expression in public space—and helped launch a new wave of grassroots organizing.