The 'stirring' viral videos of the Wisconsin protests

Michael Wisniewski is a 23-year-old University of Wisconsin staffer, captured the passion of the protesters in two viral videos.

(Image credit: Screen shot, Vimeo)

The video: A 23-year-old University of Wisconsin staffer and former student has created two artfully shot music videos of the protests in Wisconsin, and they've gone viral, garnering hundreds of thousands of hits online. Matthew Wisniewski, an award-winning photographer and media specialist at the university, says he was originally in the crowds to protest the looming cut in his own pay. But, after witnessing the passion of those protesting Republican Gov. Scott Walker's plan to gut collective bargaining rights for public sector unions, Wisniewski took out his camera and began shooting, later cutting videos to Arcade Fire's "Rebellion" and Mumford and Sons' "The Cave." Watch the two videos, below.

The reaction: This "superb video chronicle" is a must-watch for anyone hoping to understand the Wisconsin protests, says Peter Rothberg in The Nation. Wisniewski is a "masterful videographer" who's produced "stirring" work. Indeed, his videos are "destined for viraldom," says Adam Weinstein in Mother Jones. They're "a lot better than anything to come out of the '08 Obama campaign, and that's saying something." The newfound fame has the young filmmaker at a loss. "I haven't figured out how to handle it yet," he tells TIME. "I'm getting two e-mails a minute from people around the country and the world — even from Egypt." See for yourself, below:

Wisconsin Budget Repair Bill Protest from Matt Wisniewski on Vimeo.