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Seán Devlin

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Seán Yap Sei-Been Devlin
NationalityCanadian
Occupation(s)comedian, writer
Years active2010s-present

Seán Yap Sei-Been Devlin (叶 世民) is a Filipino-Canadian comedian, writer, filmmaker[1] and activist based in Vancouver, British Columbia.[2] He is most noted for his second feature film, Asog, which debuted at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival.[3] He was a Juno Award nominee for Comedy Album of the Year at the Juno Awards of 2022 for his debut comedy album Airports, Animals.[4]

Film

[edit]

His debut feature was 2018's When the Storm Fades, for which he won the Emerging Canadian Director award at the 2018 Vancouver International Film Festival.[5] In 2023 Devlin's second feature Asog was a selection of the Cannes Docs-in-progress showcase,[6] had its World Premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival[7] and was an official selection of SXSW Sydney and the 67th BFI London Film Festival.[8] It also screened in competition at the 39th Warsaw Film Festival[9] and the 54th Goa International Film Festival.[10] Time Magazine described the film's impact as "a remarkable victory of society’s poorest over entrenched corporate interests."[1] The film features residents of Sicogon Island who had their land stolen in the aftermath of the storm by the country's largest real estate company Ayala Land Inc. Private armed militia allegedly forced 6,000 people to abandon their ancestral land so the corporations could build a luxury resort.[11][12] After Asog’s success on the festival circuit, Ayala paid $5.1 million USD in reparations to 784 displaced families who had refused to leave the island. Most of the money was used to build 474 new storm-resistant homes.[1] The Ayala conglomerate allegedly sabotaged the film's Filipino premiere[13] [14]leading Rolling Stone Philippines to dub the film "The Biggest Movie That The Philippines has Never Seen".[15]

He worked as a Consulting Producer on Borat: Subsequent Moviefilm.[7][16]

Tactical Media

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He was one of the creators of Shit Harper Did, a satirical website critical of the government of Stephen Harper, in the early 2010s.[17][18][19] The website became a multiyear tactical media campaign that used humor, satire, digital media,[18] pranks[20] and political interventions[21] to critique the Conservative government led by Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The website ShitHarperDid.com went viral following its launch in April 2011, receiving over a million hits within hours.[22] In its first three days, the website attracted over 4.1 million visitors, and one of its videos became the most-shared content on YouTube in Canada at the time.[23] Canadian celebrities Margaret Atwood and Elliot Page were early online supporters of the campaign.[24] [25] The project garnered attention for its ability to damage the public image of the Conservatives, with Postmedia noting that it was "wreaking havoc on the Conservative Party's closely orchestrated election output."[26] The campaign was created to engage youth using sociological insights[17] and a strategy built around humor.

Reception

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The project was popular with young demographics who did not typically engage in politics. The Globe and Mail described the project as a "stealth campaign that's been spreading like prairie wildfire."[27] The Huffington Post called it "the viral phenomenon that captured the digital zeitgeist."[28]

Infiltrations of prime minister's security detail

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In 2014, ShitHarperDid co-creator Sean Devlin and activist Shireen Soofi disguised themselves as waiters and infiltrated Prime Minister Stephen Harper's security detail at a private event.[29] According to media they came within "stabbing distance"[30] of the prime minister before displaying signs protesting the government's inaction on climate change.[31] The action sparked national debate on climate change policy. Devlin and SHD organizer Brigette Depape appeared on CBC News Network's Power and Politics to discuss the action.[32] Following the interview, the program hosted a panel featuring elected officials from the NDP, the Liberal Party, and the Conservative government to debate the cost of climate change. During the discussion, Conservative MP Peter Braid acknowledged a link between extreme weather events and climate change. CBC reported this as the first instance of a federal Conservative MP acknowledging this scientific link.[33] CBC host Even Solomon asked Braid to confirm he was saying that extreme weather and climate change are related, Braid answered, "Absolutely, I'm confirming I said that." The NDP[34] and Liberal MPs were both surprised by the statement.

In 2015, Devlin once again bypassed the prime minister's security at a Conservative campaign event. This time, he disguised himself in a blazer and was invited on stage to stand behind Harper. Beneath his jacket, he wore a shirt featuring a message critical of the Conservative government's immigration policies.[35] Security intervened after noticing the shirt, and Devlin was arrested for resisting arrest and obstruction of justice.[36]

Impact

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The multiyear campaign was part of a broader progressive movement that engaged young Canadians in the political process. By the time the project ended in 2015 there had been an unprecedented increase in youth voting. Turnout among this group increased 18.3 points, to 57.1 per cent compared to 38.8 per cent in 2011.[37] This wave of newly engaged youth voters is credited with ushering the Conservative Party out of power after nine years in power.[38]

Controversy

[edit]

The group's ability to infiltrate the prime minister's security caused national debate on security protocols for public officials.[39] Conservative Senator Bob Runciman condemned the act and called for harsher penalties for such breaches, suggesting that Devlin and Soofi should face indictable offenses with significant fines or imprisonment.[40] However, no formal charges were laid.[41]

Elections Canada briefly investigated Devlin and the group regarding the site's compliance with Canada's third party election advertising laws. The laws require any entity that spends over $500 on election advertising to register with Elections Canada, but ShitHarperDid.com was initially created for under $250, relying on the volunteer efforts of those involved. Elections Canada made no formal charges and no violations were found.[42]

Comedy

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Sean's debut standup comedy album Airports, Animals was released by Arts & Crafts Productions in 2021 as the label's first-ever comedy album.[43] He has performed on television in a third-season episode of CBC's The New Wave of Standup[44] and a season 23 episode of CBC's Winnipeg Comedy Festival Gala.[45]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Campbell, Charlie (June 5, 2025). "Fishing Communities in the Philippines Are Fighting for their Future as Waters Rise". Time Magazine.
  2. ^ Abeer Yusuf (October 4, 2018). "This 'Docudramedy' Finds Laughs in the Horror of Climate Change". Vice.
  3. ^ Jason P. Frank, "Tribeca Film Festival Is What Baking Did for Waitress". Vulture, April 18, 2023.
  4. ^ "Gala des prix JUNO 2022 | Charlotte Cardin devance Justin Bieber et The Weeknd dans les nominations!". sorstu.ca, March 1, 2022.
  5. ^ Rachel Ramos-Reid, "Canadian Filipino Sean Devlin wins Award in 2018 Vancouver Film Festival". Canadian Filipino, October 16, 2018.
  6. ^ Benchetrit, Jenna (May 20, 2023). "A Canadian guide to the 2023 Cannes Film Festival". CBC News.
  7. ^ a b Goodfellow, Melanie (February 26, 2025). "Film Movement Acquires U.S. Rights To Adam McKay & Alan Cumming EPd Philippines Land Grab Docudrama 'Asog'". Deadline.
  8. ^ Tabbara, Mona (October 3, 2023). "Studio Soho International, EST Studios board Seán Devlin's 'Asog' (exclusive)". Screen Daily.
  9. ^ Pilacińska, Agnieszka (October 17, 2023). "Laughter, a way to conjure up trauma – review of the film "Asog" – WFF 2023". Pelna Sala.
  10. ^ "15 movies to compete for Prestigious Golden Peacock Award at 54th IFFI". Ministry of Information & Broadcasting for Government of India. November 24, 2023.
  11. ^ "How Asog shamed Ayala Land into paying up Yolanda victims in Sicogon". Bilyonaryo News Channel. March 23, 2025.
  12. ^ Wang, Mel (April 3, 2025). "6 Filipino Documentaries that Confronted Censorship". Rolling Stone Magazine (Philippines).
  13. ^ Lugay, Elton; nrueda (2025-03-28). "'Asog' film sheds light on plight of Typhoon Haiyan victims". INQUIRER.net USA. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
  14. ^ Friedlander, Jason (March 12, 2025). "Whatever Happened to 'Asog'?". Sinegang Magazine.
  15. ^ Wang, Mel (2025-05-22). "'Asog': The Biggest Movie That The Philippines Has Never Seen | Rolling Stone Philippines". rollingstonephilippines.com. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
  16. ^ Martin, Clare (July 13, 2021). "Seán Devlin's Debut Stand-up Album Is a Thought-Provoking, Hilarious Triumph". Paste Magazine.
  17. ^ a b Fontana, Kaitlin (November 12, 2011). "The Best Medicine". The Walrus Magazine.
  18. ^ a b Houpt, Simon (April 13, 2011). "Scatological attack on Stephen Harper's record goes viral". The Globe and Mail. The Globe and Mail Inc.
  19. ^ Laura Kane, "Comedy website raises $50,000 for anti-Stephen Harper ad". Toronto Star, May 17, 2013.
  20. ^ Smith, Charlie (July 2, 2014). "ShitHarperDid's fake economic action plan generates more daily visits than Conservatives' real plan". The Georgia Straight.
  21. ^ Mcguire, Patrick (January 17, 2014). "Canada's Reaction to Climate Change Protesters Shows the State of Our Nation". Vice News.
  22. ^ Shaw, Gillian (Apr 13, 2011). "Anti-Harper social media attack goes viral". Vancouver Sun. Postmedia Network Inc.
  23. ^ Minsky, Amy (August 18, 2011). "'Election laws must consider online tools': electoral officer". National Post. Postmedia Network Inc.
  24. ^ Fontana, Kaitlin (November 12, 2011). "The Best Medicine". The Walrus Magazine.
  25. ^ Laura Kane, "Comedy website raises $50,000 for anti-Stephen Harper ad". Toronto Star, May 17, 2013.
  26. ^ Shaw, Gillian (Apr 13, 2011). "Anti-Harper social media attack goes viral". Vancouver Sun. Postmedia Network Inc.
  27. ^ Adriana, Barton (April 20, 2011). "The best pick-up line in Canada? 'I'm not Stephen Harper,' says viral video". The Globe and Mail. The Globe and Mail Inc.
  28. ^ "Shit Harper Did Back With Economic Action Plan Anger". The Huffington Post. April 2, 2013.
  29. ^ "Climate change protesters get through tight security to disrupt Stephen Harper during event". The National Post. The Canadian Press. January 6, 2014.
  30. ^ Mcguire, Patrick (January 17, 2014). "Canada's Reaction to Climate Change Protesters Shows the State of Our Nation". Vice News.
  31. ^ Mas, Susana (January 6, 2014). "Climate change activists disrupt Stephen Harper event". CBC News.
  32. ^ "Protester Sean Devlin tells how he got onstage with PM". CBC News. January 6, 2014.
  33. ^ "Conservative MP Peter Braid says extreme weather and climate change linked". CBC News. January 6, 2014.
  34. ^ "Finally, a Conservative MP recognizes the impact of climate change". NDP.ca. National Democratic Party of Canada.
  35. ^ Ling, Justin (September 3, 2015). "Protester Arrested for Wearing 'Aylan Should Be Here' T-Shirt at Stephen Harper Event". Vice News. A+E Networks.
  36. ^ Bailey, Ian (September 3, 2015). "Activist wearing T-shirt referring to dead Syrian boy arrested at Harper event". The Globe and Mail.
  37. ^ Grenier, Eric (June 15, 2016). "2015 federal election saw youth vote in unprecedented numbers". CBC News.
  38. ^ Raj, Althia (April 19, 2016). "Liberals Won Majority Thanks To Young Voters, Poll Suggests". Huffington Post.
  39. ^ Keller, James (January 8, 2014). "RCMP say they've fixed 'mistake' that allowed protesters near Harper". The Globe and Mail. The Canadian Press.
  40. ^ "Senator Bob Runciman wants crackdown on PM protesters". CBC News. January 8, 2014.
  41. ^ Cordasco, Lisa (January 8, 2014). "Harper climate protesters won't face charges in security breach". CBC news.
  42. ^ Minsky, Amy (August 18, 2011). "'Election laws must consider online tools': electoral officer". National Post. Postmedia Network Inc.
  43. ^ Stuart Derdeyn, "Seán Devlin brings comedy to Arts & Crafts". Vancouver Sun, August 11, 2021.
  44. ^ "TV & Film News – Canada Media Fund opens Canadian Content industry survey". Broadcast Dialogue, March 2, 2023.
  45. ^ "CBC Winnipeg Comedy Festival Season 23". November 22, 2024.
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