SXSW world premiere Barbershop Punk (screening today at the G-Tech, 9:30pm)is as timely as documentary gets, placing net neutrality and its attendant issues under close scrutiny.

Featuring iconic musicians like Henry Rollins and Iain McKaye (Fugazi) sounding a clarion call for internet users to take action, the film bravely takes on the weak points and threat inherent in one of the most pervasive media entities ever created - the internet.

We recently caught up with the filmmaker Georgia Sugimura Archer to find out the whys and hows of her urgent, powerful doc.

How did you convince people like Henry Rollins to appear in your film?

When Kristin and I committed to making this project is was under the 100% agreement that it was going to be very DIY. We bought the camera, hooked up the editing system in my living room and started working. The same goes for interviews. We spent a great deal time focusing on exactly whom we wanted to speak to and then we picked up the phone and started dialing. The materials we presented were strong, the film has a really topical subject matter and once we got the first couple of people to come on board, it all really built momentum.

All that said, Henry is an awesome individual for steeping up to the plate early and strong, but then again – that really is the kind of guy he is, right? He knows his shit and he speaks up for what he believes in. You can’t really ask for more than that.

What do you hope people will take from your film?
We hope most that people feel empowered. We hope that a flame in them burns a little hotter and they remember that we all have the power to effect the change we want to see in this world. We can and should engage.

Why should people watch your movie?

Did you realize that none of the rights you have to privacy etc. on the telephone follow you on to the Internet? Did you realize the Internet was largely privatized during the Clinton administration? Come to our film to be introduced to an issue that is changing your life as we speak that you probably know very little about. That and Ian MacKaye is a really interesting guy …

We want the audience to leave talking, excited - motivated about what is going on with their civil rights …

What’s next?

It’s taken over 2 1/2 years to get this far, and just as our savings and credit cards were emptying out we heard from The Ford Foundation that we will be receiving a finishing grant. This means that we’ll be able to share our film with the SXSW audience and then, go back and get it to where we had envisioned. It really is difficult, especially for independent filmmakers, to have to stop short when funds run out. Now, thanks to the support of The Ford Foundation and SXSW, this won't happen to us.

What are we most excited about at SxSW?

We are excited about everything here at SxSW. This will be the first time our film has played before a real audience. Considering we are about to go back into a polish edit, this is a huge opportunity for us to get feedback from our most important critics – the audience. We are also excited to see what other filmmakers are up to – make new friends, eat some great food and see some movies

This is honestly like a dream come true for both Kristin and myself, we couldn’t be more thrilled.

Why Barbershop Punk?

For that answer, you have to come and see the film!