Focal Points: Documentary Shorts of 1969

Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Northwest Film Forum
8:00 PM

All films from 1969 / 16mm (original format) / 88 min.

A schizoid sampling of the incredibly diverse underground documentary and newsreel film scenes in 1969. The Black Panthers meet Pentecostal Christians amidst the psychedelic ruins of Chicago’s Democratic Convention Riots. Plus, a rarely-shown early interview with the legendary Kuchar Brothers.

Presented as part of the Northwest Film Forum’s 69 Series, a year-long exploration of the films of 1969.

Download the program notes (PDF, 152 kb)

Testimony
Brian Patrick
A verité look at a group of Pentecostal Christians in Athens, Ohio.  (Print courtesy of the filmmaker.)

Mayday!
California Newsreel
A “Free Huey” rally held by the Black Panthers in San Francisco, on the May 1 international labor holiday. Crypto-commie perennial Bob Avakian makes an appearance at the microphone as well.

Legendary Epic Yarns and Fables, Part 4: The Kuchar Brothers
Stephen Gebhardt
A no-holds-barred interview with the legendary underground exploitation filmmakers.

Leo Beuerman
Gene Boomer
An Oscar-nominated look at the life of a severely handicapped man in Lawrence, Kansas.

Campaign
Tom Palazollo
The 1968 Democratic Convention and its aftermath as seen through a local experimental lens.

Fallout Shelter Analysis by Computer Graphics
University of Utah Computer Center, for ARPA (Advanced Research Projects Agency), US Dept. of Defense
An instructional film for what was then a cutting-edge computer interface using a “light pen” stylus.