Film Sun May 04 2008

1968: Year of Confrontation

As the pundits prognosticate about the upcoming Democratic Convention, the Chicago Film Archives asks us to look back 40 years to the infamous 1968 Convention held in Chicago. Their latest series, “Out of the Vault: Year of Confrontation,” will present four restored films that explore not only the conflict between police and protesters at the convention but also how the media coverage was manipulated by the city after the fact.

Three short films (“Right to Dissent,” “Social Confrontation,” and “Law and Order vs. Dissent”) draw on footage of demonstrations, press conferences, and demonstrations at press conferences to provide a documentary look at the events that unfolded as anti-war protesters attempted to gain access to the convention center.

The fourth film, “What Trees Do They Plant?” was produced by the City of Chicago after Mayor Daley I felt that media coverage of the demonstrations was imbalanced in favor of the protestors. Released nationwide a few weeks after the conclusion of the convention, the film was designed to placate those shocked by the brutality of the city’s response by portraying the protestors as violent operatives with ties to the Communist Party. The title of the film comes from a question that Daley famously asked of those who criticized his mayorship.

A discussion will take place after the screening with Ruth Ratney, writer of "What Trees Do They Plant?" and local filmmakers Bill Cottle and Franklin McMahon.

Out of the Vault: Year of Confrontation will take place at the Cultural Center on May 16 at 7:00 pm. Admission is free, but donations are welcome.

(Additionally, AREA Chicago has a site which offers a bibliography and updates on news and events related to the 40th anniversary of the convention and other events from that tumultuous year.)

- Jamie Smith