THE POPCORN REEL FILM REVIEW/"Chicago 10"
Courts of Injustice, Streets of
Outrage in Midwestern America, 1968
By
Omar P.L. Moore/The Popcorn Reel
February 29, 2008
Animated renderings of Bobby Seale,
Abbie Hoffman (center) and Jerry Rubin, all members of the Chicago Eight, during
their courtroom trial for activities surrounding the 1968 Democratic National
Convention in Chicago, in Brett Morgen's "Chicago 10". The three are
voiced by Jeffrey Wright, Hank Azaria and Mark Ruffalo respectively.
(Photo: C7 Films/via Roadside Attractions)
Brett Morgen's "Chicago 10", which opened in
numerous cities across Northern California and elsewhere in other select U.S.
cities today, is an extraordinary mix of archival footage from the 1968
Democratic National Convention in Chicago, a political convention marred by
police violence against non-violent demonstrators against the-then ongoing
Vietnam war who protested around the site of the convention. Mr. Morgen's
film, which premiered at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival, is also a feast of
animation depicting the turbulent trial of the Chicago Eight, based upon the
actual trial court transcripts of radical and progressive political figures like
the Yippie Party's Jerry Rubin and Abbie Hoffman, and Bobby Seale, the leader of the
Black Panther Party in the 1960's and early 1970's.
"Chicago 10" is a fascinating kaleidoscopic drama from film
distributor Roadside Attractions that is both galvanizing and
thought-provoking. Marvelously edited by Stuart Levy and propulsive in its
tone and speed, the film -- which plays more like a documentary -- is constantly
engaging and enlightening. When watching it is easy to look back on the
events of 40 years ago and wax nostalgic about a more politically conscious
U.S.A., one where many of its citizens consistently questioned the status quo
and were unafraid to do so, fearless about the life-and-death consequences.
For those not yet born during this volatile political period in American history
it may be remarkable to believe that such shenanigans went on in the courtroom
of Judge Julius Hoffman (no relation to Abbie), but incredibly, they did.
Footage of other notable personalities like Beatnik poet and activist Allen
Ginsburg and Chicago Eight defense attorney William Kunstler (who passed away in
1995 and was featured in 1992 as a sentencing judge in Spike Lee's "Malcolm X"),
as well as others, are also part of Mr. Morgen's engaging film, which is
guaranteed to spark and rekindle debate and discussion about the events
surrounding the convention -- especially in this 2008 presidential election
year.
"Chicago 10" is energetic, exciting, impressive and riveting -- and most of all,
still highly relevant and important, four decades later.
Notes: Nick Nolte voices Thomas Foran, Hank Azaria voices Abbie Hoffman and Allen Ginsberg, Dylan Baker voices David Dellinger and David Stahl, Mark Ruffalo voices Jerry Rubin, Roy Scheider (who passed away earlier this month) voices Judge Julius Hoffman, Liev Schreiber voices William Kunstler, Jeffrey Wright voices Bobby Seale, and Amy Ryan voices Anita Hoffman.
Brett Morgen and Graydon Carter produced the
film. Kristina Boden did additional
editing. Curious Pictures, Youza Animation and Asterisk combined on the
impressive animation for the film.
"Chicago 10" is rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America for
language and brief sexual images. The film's duration is one hour and 39 minutes.
Copyright The Popcorn Reel. PopcornReel.com.
2008. All Rights Reserved.