Post by marveloushagler on Jan 20, 2006 14:18:09 GMT -5
28 POLITICAL VIDEOS WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND
By RASH- NYC
Here goes a list of 28 political videos we highly recommend to all skinheads, punks, class-struggle Anarchists, socialists, working-class hardcore kids etc. in the Northeastern US. We want all RASH skins in the Northeast to see these films.
These videos cover radical working class history in the USA, the present struggles of the US working class, militant anti-fascism, Black liberation, US political prisoners, the Spanish civil war, the 1960’s, Latin America, the anti-globalization movement (remember them?), the war in Iraq and more.
Hey man, that’s the shit we’re into.
1) THE WOBBLIES- This documentary dates from around 1979. It features interviews with a whole bunch of veteran IWW members talking about their involvement in the heyday of syndicalist union organizing here in the US. Respect.
2) MATEWAN (dir. John Sayles)- The classic fictional account of a miner’s strike around the turn of the century. Includes the IWW, Big Bill Haywood, racial divisions amongst the strikers and much more. Even features Darth Vader himself, James Earl Jones.
3) JOE HILL: A DOCUMENTARY- The story of IWW and labor martyr Joe Hill, who wrote lots of famous strike songs. He was put to death for a murder he may not have committed. As he said, “don’t mourn, organize!”
4) SEEIN’ RED- An oral history from the late 1970’s with members of the Communist Party USA. Lots of discussion of the height of the party’s organizing (1930-1956), as well as the bodyblow Stalinism dealt to Communism in America. Includes some classic period footage.
5) SALT OF THE EARTH- This is a late 1950’s black and white classic about a miner’s strike out West that featured actual miners (many of them Mexican-Americans) as the actors. A very moving film.
6) ROGER AND ME- The film that put Michael Moore on the map. He tries to track down the CEO of General Motors, Roger Somebody, who is responsible for closing an auto plant in Flint, Michigan. Moore also interviews all the people being laid off, and shows the devastation of unemployment. Class struggle in the USA!
7) THE BIG ONE- Michael Moore documents his book tour, and ties it in with the wave of downsizing that hit the USA during the prosperous mid-90’s. The USA knows no loyalty to its own working class.
8) GREENSBORO ’79 (Red November, Black November/ City Confidential)- Two documentaries on the 1979 murders of 5 members of the Communist Workers Party in North Carolina by the Ku Klux Klan. The case even featured FBI and US government complicity. This country is fucked up.
9) BEHIND THE BURNING CROSS- A half-hour documentary over-viewing the far-Right of the late 1980’s and early 1990’s compiled by the John Brown Anti-Klan Committee. The JBAKC were the foremost US far-Left militant anti-fascist group back in those days. Even features footage of THE BALDIES, Minneapolis’ top-ranking anti-fascist skinhead crew. Sweet!
10) BLOOD IN THE FACE- This is a documentary compiling interviews with neo-nazis and far-rightists in the late 1980’s. It was done by James Ridgeway, a journalist for the VILLAGE VOICE. The video features no commentary- it lets the assholes speak for themselves. Features many of their big-wigs (some literally!). Know your enemy.
11) EYES ON THE PRIZE (Vol. 1-6)- A well-documented history of the Black civil rights struggle in the USA from the 1950’s-1970’s. Includes awesome footage of Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, the Black Panther Party and many more. VERY inspiring stuff.
12) PAUL ROBESON: HERE I STAND- Probably the most important figure on the American Left in the last 75 years. Famous actor, superstar college athlete, member of the Communist Party USA, singer, and tireless fighter against racial and class injustice. An all around “race” man. One guy the U.S. system could never grind down. A giant amongst men.
13) MALCOLM X: MAKE IT PLAIN- A succinct two-hour overview of the life, organizing work and death of Malcolm X. There are many good documentaries on the life of Malcolm X. This is only one of them, and it’s both moving and watchable.
14) ALL POWER TO THE PEOPLE- A video on the history of the Black Panther Party.
15) FBI’S WAR ON BLACK AMERICA- From the late 1980’s, interviews with many Black activists about the imprisonment and murder of many 60’s era Black liberation militants by US law enforcement. We must never forget this episode in our nation’s history- it could be the shape of things to come.
16) PASSIN’ IT ON- Upon his release from around two decades behind bars as a political prisoner, Dhoruba Bin-Wahad released this documentary on how he got involved in the Black liberation struggle. From the South Bronx and Harlem to the Black Panther Party, this is a video that’s specifically important for all NYC radicals to see. Stay Black, stay strong!
17) MUMIA: A CASE FOR REASONABLE DOUBT- The full-story behind the case of Mumia Abu-Jamal. Maybe he did it, but his trial left lots of reasonable doubt. Reasonable motherfucking doubt.
18) JOHN BROWN’S HOLY WAR- A biography of the militant abolitionist that ignited the spark which started the US Civil War. If they wouldn’t abolish slavery, then some crackers were gonna get gunned down by badass John Brown. A white guy more popular with Black America than Eminem and MC Serch combined.
19) TEN DAYS THAT SHOOK THE WORLD- Orson “Deep Voice/ Big Balls” Wells narrates this documentary on the October revolution (did it actually happen in October?). The Bolsheviks seize power and oust the Social Democrats. All your favorites are here: Lenin, bespectacled Trotsky, bushy-moustache Stalin, etc.
20) LAND AND FREEDOM- A fictional movie loosely based upon George Orwell’s book HOMAGE TO CATALONIA. A Northern British guy goes and fights in the anti-fascist militias against Franco and the fascists. Really nicely done. Even features a hot love story.
21) THE GOOD FIGHT- All too brief documentary on the Abraham Lincoln Brigades, the Americans who went to fight fascism in Spain during the civil war/ revolution. The USA has a proud Leftist history, and few episodes are prouder than this one.
22) THE SPANISH CIVIL WAR (BBC) Vol.1-5- a documentary series from the 80’s on the Spanish Civil War. Everything you wanted to know, told from all sides. Features lots of excellent period footage, and lots of interviews with old people. Good stuff.
23) PALANTE, SIEMPRE PALANTE- A documentary on the Young Lords Party, the militant Puerto Rican civil rights and cultural organization that originated in Spanish Harlem (“El Barrio”) in the late 1960’s.
24) THE WAR AT HOME- There are many good films on the Viet Nam war (the documentary film series, HEARTS AND MINDS, BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY, etc.). This one is specifically on the anti-war movement at home. Interviews with 60’s activists, including some vets. Makes you wonder what you woulda done if you were alive back then.
25) PICTURES OF A REVOLUTION- The Sandinista revolution in Nicaragua, an desperately poor place.
26) A PLACE CALLED CHIAPAS- Some film makers explain the Zapatista struggle, centering around their international gathering The Encuentro (Encounter). If you like balaclavas and Mexican culture, this is for you. Arriba!
27) THIS IS WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE- In 1999, the US government got caught with its pants down at the Battle of Seattle. Booyah!
28) FARENHEIT 9-11- Some of the facts in this movie may not be 100% accurate, because it was made about a current and constantly evolving issue. And can any one film tell the total story of the US invasion of Iraq? Still, this movie had a huge impact on popular culture in the USA, even if it didn’t win Kerry the election. We live in frightening times.
As usual, this list of films and videos is very male-centered (whaddya want, we’re a bunch of skinheads). Again, we apologize to all female comrades. We’re always open to suggestions on female-centered films (Norma Rae? Erin Brokovich?).
Also, we’re always open to suggestions from anyone else out there on class-struggle political films you think other people should see. But please make sure it’s accessible- we’re not into egghead shit.
By RASH- NYC
Here goes a list of 28 political videos we highly recommend to all skinheads, punks, class-struggle Anarchists, socialists, working-class hardcore kids etc. in the Northeastern US. We want all RASH skins in the Northeast to see these films.
These videos cover radical working class history in the USA, the present struggles of the US working class, militant anti-fascism, Black liberation, US political prisoners, the Spanish civil war, the 1960’s, Latin America, the anti-globalization movement (remember them?), the war in Iraq and more.
Hey man, that’s the shit we’re into.
1) THE WOBBLIES- This documentary dates from around 1979. It features interviews with a whole bunch of veteran IWW members talking about their involvement in the heyday of syndicalist union organizing here in the US. Respect.
2) MATEWAN (dir. John Sayles)- The classic fictional account of a miner’s strike around the turn of the century. Includes the IWW, Big Bill Haywood, racial divisions amongst the strikers and much more. Even features Darth Vader himself, James Earl Jones.
3) JOE HILL: A DOCUMENTARY- The story of IWW and labor martyr Joe Hill, who wrote lots of famous strike songs. He was put to death for a murder he may not have committed. As he said, “don’t mourn, organize!”
4) SEEIN’ RED- An oral history from the late 1970’s with members of the Communist Party USA. Lots of discussion of the height of the party’s organizing (1930-1956), as well as the bodyblow Stalinism dealt to Communism in America. Includes some classic period footage.
5) SALT OF THE EARTH- This is a late 1950’s black and white classic about a miner’s strike out West that featured actual miners (many of them Mexican-Americans) as the actors. A very moving film.
6) ROGER AND ME- The film that put Michael Moore on the map. He tries to track down the CEO of General Motors, Roger Somebody, who is responsible for closing an auto plant in Flint, Michigan. Moore also interviews all the people being laid off, and shows the devastation of unemployment. Class struggle in the USA!
7) THE BIG ONE- Michael Moore documents his book tour, and ties it in with the wave of downsizing that hit the USA during the prosperous mid-90’s. The USA knows no loyalty to its own working class.
8) GREENSBORO ’79 (Red November, Black November/ City Confidential)- Two documentaries on the 1979 murders of 5 members of the Communist Workers Party in North Carolina by the Ku Klux Klan. The case even featured FBI and US government complicity. This country is fucked up.
9) BEHIND THE BURNING CROSS- A half-hour documentary over-viewing the far-Right of the late 1980’s and early 1990’s compiled by the John Brown Anti-Klan Committee. The JBAKC were the foremost US far-Left militant anti-fascist group back in those days. Even features footage of THE BALDIES, Minneapolis’ top-ranking anti-fascist skinhead crew. Sweet!
10) BLOOD IN THE FACE- This is a documentary compiling interviews with neo-nazis and far-rightists in the late 1980’s. It was done by James Ridgeway, a journalist for the VILLAGE VOICE. The video features no commentary- it lets the assholes speak for themselves. Features many of their big-wigs (some literally!). Know your enemy.
11) EYES ON THE PRIZE (Vol. 1-6)- A well-documented history of the Black civil rights struggle in the USA from the 1950’s-1970’s. Includes awesome footage of Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, the Black Panther Party and many more. VERY inspiring stuff.
12) PAUL ROBESON: HERE I STAND- Probably the most important figure on the American Left in the last 75 years. Famous actor, superstar college athlete, member of the Communist Party USA, singer, and tireless fighter against racial and class injustice. An all around “race” man. One guy the U.S. system could never grind down. A giant amongst men.
13) MALCOLM X: MAKE IT PLAIN- A succinct two-hour overview of the life, organizing work and death of Malcolm X. There are many good documentaries on the life of Malcolm X. This is only one of them, and it’s both moving and watchable.
14) ALL POWER TO THE PEOPLE- A video on the history of the Black Panther Party.
15) FBI’S WAR ON BLACK AMERICA- From the late 1980’s, interviews with many Black activists about the imprisonment and murder of many 60’s era Black liberation militants by US law enforcement. We must never forget this episode in our nation’s history- it could be the shape of things to come.
16) PASSIN’ IT ON- Upon his release from around two decades behind bars as a political prisoner, Dhoruba Bin-Wahad released this documentary on how he got involved in the Black liberation struggle. From the South Bronx and Harlem to the Black Panther Party, this is a video that’s specifically important for all NYC radicals to see. Stay Black, stay strong!
17) MUMIA: A CASE FOR REASONABLE DOUBT- The full-story behind the case of Mumia Abu-Jamal. Maybe he did it, but his trial left lots of reasonable doubt. Reasonable motherfucking doubt.
18) JOHN BROWN’S HOLY WAR- A biography of the militant abolitionist that ignited the spark which started the US Civil War. If they wouldn’t abolish slavery, then some crackers were gonna get gunned down by badass John Brown. A white guy more popular with Black America than Eminem and MC Serch combined.
19) TEN DAYS THAT SHOOK THE WORLD- Orson “Deep Voice/ Big Balls” Wells narrates this documentary on the October revolution (did it actually happen in October?). The Bolsheviks seize power and oust the Social Democrats. All your favorites are here: Lenin, bespectacled Trotsky, bushy-moustache Stalin, etc.
20) LAND AND FREEDOM- A fictional movie loosely based upon George Orwell’s book HOMAGE TO CATALONIA. A Northern British guy goes and fights in the anti-fascist militias against Franco and the fascists. Really nicely done. Even features a hot love story.
21) THE GOOD FIGHT- All too brief documentary on the Abraham Lincoln Brigades, the Americans who went to fight fascism in Spain during the civil war/ revolution. The USA has a proud Leftist history, and few episodes are prouder than this one.
22) THE SPANISH CIVIL WAR (BBC) Vol.1-5- a documentary series from the 80’s on the Spanish Civil War. Everything you wanted to know, told from all sides. Features lots of excellent period footage, and lots of interviews with old people. Good stuff.
23) PALANTE, SIEMPRE PALANTE- A documentary on the Young Lords Party, the militant Puerto Rican civil rights and cultural organization that originated in Spanish Harlem (“El Barrio”) in the late 1960’s.
24) THE WAR AT HOME- There are many good films on the Viet Nam war (the documentary film series, HEARTS AND MINDS, BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY, etc.). This one is specifically on the anti-war movement at home. Interviews with 60’s activists, including some vets. Makes you wonder what you woulda done if you were alive back then.
25) PICTURES OF A REVOLUTION- The Sandinista revolution in Nicaragua, an desperately poor place.
26) A PLACE CALLED CHIAPAS- Some film makers explain the Zapatista struggle, centering around their international gathering The Encuentro (Encounter). If you like balaclavas and Mexican culture, this is for you. Arriba!
27) THIS IS WHAT DEMOCRACY LOOKS LIKE- In 1999, the US government got caught with its pants down at the Battle of Seattle. Booyah!
28) FARENHEIT 9-11- Some of the facts in this movie may not be 100% accurate, because it was made about a current and constantly evolving issue. And can any one film tell the total story of the US invasion of Iraq? Still, this movie had a huge impact on popular culture in the USA, even if it didn’t win Kerry the election. We live in frightening times.
As usual, this list of films and videos is very male-centered (whaddya want, we’re a bunch of skinheads). Again, we apologize to all female comrades. We’re always open to suggestions on female-centered films (Norma Rae? Erin Brokovich?).
Also, we’re always open to suggestions from anyone else out there on class-struggle political films you think other people should see. But please make sure it’s accessible- we’re not into egghead shit.
