still from 1-A (Jeffrey Lieber, Michael Sherlock, Margaret Stenberg, 1970)
This selection of films highlights personal and individual reflections on the impact of the Vietnam War. Ranging from award-winning student films that capture the anxiety associated with the draft, to a political commercial that foregrounds candidate William G. Clark’s anti-war stance, to a documentary made in Garfield Ridge that gives a voice to President Nixon’s “silent majority,” to an excerpt from Chicago-based filmmaker Loretta Smith’s documentary on Vietnam veteran and anti-war activist Ron Kovic, this program brings together a range of intimate perspectives on the impact of the war. Tickets are available for advance purchase here & our Facebook event page is here. Filmmaker Loretta Smith in person!
Films screening:
1-A
(Jeffrey Lieber, Michael Sherlock, Margaret Stenberg, 16mm, color, sound 1970, 8 minutes, “Young Chicago Filmmaker’s Festival” Chicago Public Library Collection)
William G. Clark “William G. Clark for U.S. Senator”
(1968, 16mm, color, sound, 1 minute, Chuck Olin Collection)
The 2-Year Machine
(David Alexovich, 1970, 16mm, color, sound, 6 minutes, “Young Chicago Filmmaker’s Festival” Chicago Public Library Collection)
8 Flags for 99 Cents
(Presented by Business Executives Move for Vietnam Peace, produced by Chuck Olin and Joel Katz with Mike Gray Associates, 1970, 26 minutes, 16mm preservation print, color, sound, The Film Group / Chuck Olin Collection)
A Good American: The Times of Ron Kovic (excerpt)
(Loretta Smith, 1974-1998, video, color, sound, 15-20 minute excerpt)
An excerpt from Loretta Smith’s documentary in progress about Vietnam veteran and anti-war activist Ron Kovic (author of the autobiographical book Born on the Fourth of July).
Marine Corps veteran Ron Kovic embraces draft resister Fritz Efaw on the podium of the 1976 Democratic National Convention. Kovic and Efaw joined forces to plea for universal, unconditional amnesty for war resisters on the evening that Jimmy Carter accepted the Democratic nomination for the presidency.
Presented in partnership with Chicago Filmmakers.