Home » Political Documentaries

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  Remembering Harold Washington

  November 23, 2012 at 12:18 pm / Blog, Chicago Collection, Political Documentaries

  Harold Washington’s time in office was relatively brief, but he still continues to hold a memorable place in our political history, as the first African-American mayor of Chicago. Locals remember his thrilling potential as a reformer and the deadlock caused by the “Council Wars” as “the Eddies” (Vrdolyak and Burke) thwarted his every move in the city council. Washington died suddenly on November 25, 1987, shortly after beginning his second term in office. In the clip below, filmmaker Bill Stamets … Continue reading →

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  Why people don’t vote

  October 30, 2012 at 2:40 pm / American Way, Political Documentaries

  It’s likely that millions of eligible voters will choose not to go to the polls next Tuesday. In 2008, voter turnout was estimated at only 63%, and that was the highest since 1960. Trying to understand the reasons for this American phenomenon, John Callaway and Tom Weinberg interviewed non-voters from around the country in 1996. As our videos so often do, it still rings true today. Watch the full documentary None of the Above.

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  George McGovern (1922-2012) and TVTV on Thursday

  October 22, 2012 at 3:35 pm / Blog, Guerrilla TV, Outside Agitators, Political Documentaries, Roots of Video

  This weekend marked the passing of the George McGovern, the former senator and 1972 candidate for president. A fiery and passionate champion of liberal causes, he was a formidable political presence even well into his 80s. Below, you’ll see him in 1971 talking about what it took to stand up against Vietnam in 1963. The clip is from TVTV’s landmark 1972 work of guerrilla television, “World’s Largest TV Studio.” Coincidentally, this week you have the opportunity to see two founding … Continue reading →

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  Inside the post-debate spin machine

  October 19, 2012 at 10:04 am / Blog, Political Documentaries, THE 90's

  As the final presidential debate approaches, take an inside look at the 1992 face-off between President George H.W. Bush, Governor Bill Clinton, and H. Ross Perot, moderated by Jim Lehrer. THE 90′s takes us inside “Spin Alley,” where political consultants and spokespeople including Marlin Fitzwater, Mickey Kantor, George Stephanopoulos, and Orson Swindle attempt to craft the post-debate story in favor of their candidate. Don’t miss it. Watch the full debate special from THE 90′s.

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  [Ilinois political candidate ads 1979-1982 by Don Rose]

  1982-1-1 / Chicago Collection, Political Documentaries

  Illinois political candidate advertisements from 1979 – 1982. Candidates include Jane Byrne for Mayor, Jim Edgar for Secretary of State, Neil Hartigan for Attorney General, Bernard Carey for Cook County State’s Attorney, Seymour Simon for Illinois Supreme Court, and an ad for a team of lawyers running for Illinois Appellate Court. Continue reading →

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  Behind the scenes of a political commercial

  September 19, 2012 at 4:21 pm / Blog, Chicago Collection, Outside Agitators, Political Documentaries, Save America's Treasures

  Ever wondered what it’s like behind the scenes of the creation of a political commercial? You won’t want to miss this. This video documents the creation of a TV ad for the 1992 Dick Simpson for Congress campaign in Illinois. Simpson, a noted Chicago progressive, was running against Dan Rostenkowski, who had held his post since 1959. The commercial involves a full studio audience of cheering supporters, some live music, and many, many takes. Although the amount of money spent … Continue reading →

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  [Chicago Conspiracy Appeal press conference]

  1973-1-1 / Chicago Collection, Guerrilla TV, Outside Agitators, Political Documentaries, Roots of Video, Skip Blumberg

  Bay Area Video Coalition remaster of raw 1/2″ portapak footage. The original tape appears to have been recorded over many times, so often a random image will insert itself in for a minute or so. The tape appears to have been in extremely terrible condition, so the images are always flashing or the are obscured by everything looking almost completely white. Continue reading →

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  Where We Live: The Changing Face of Climate Activism

  2011-1-1 / Political Documentaries

  This 9-minute film documents one of the fastest-growing and most effective forces combating climate change: organized grassroots movements. Centering around efforts to overturn California’s historic global warming legislation, the film highlights how community organizations and networks throughout the state played a crucial role in mobilizing the vote in immigrant and low income communities to defeat Proposition 23, making the case that equity-based and community-driven solutions are essential in bringing about the deeper restructuring of societies to confront the climate crisis. Continue reading →