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  “Fast Eddie” heads to jail a second time

  Blog

  For decades, “Fast Eddie” Vrdolyak has been a controversial Chicago political powerhouse. Known for being a key figure in the Council Wars as one of the “three Eddies” who led a coalition of white aldermen intent on blocking Mayor Harold Washington’s initiatives, he already went to prison in 2008 for bribery. Now, Vrdolyak, 83, is once again heading to prison on charges of tax evasion stemming from fraudulent legal fees charged to the City of Chicago in the 1990s. In … Continue reading →

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  Streaming now: Joan Jett Blakk for President

  Blog

  At the heights of the AIDS epidemic, Joan Jett Blakk, the drag persona of performer and activist Terence Smith, ran a satirical campaign for mayor of Chicago and then later for President of the United States on the Queer Nation Party platform. Using hilarious banter and guerrilla tactics to bring queer issues to the national stage, Candidate Blakk made it all the way to the floor of the 1992 Democratic National Convention at Madison Square Garden.  This 65-minute program, curated … Continue reading →

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  Celebrate election day with vintage political films

  Blog

  Just in time for election day, Media Burn, in partnership with Chicago Filmmakers and Chicago Film Archives, is pleased to present a screening and discussion with two astute chroniclers of presidential elections past. CHASING VOTES, CHASING SHADOWS is a collection of vintage political films by Bill Stamets and Peter Kuttner. Stamets shadows presidential candidates on the campaign trail through an ironic ethnographic lens examining the civic theater of “turning every human contact into a photo opportunity,” while Kuttner explores political … Continue reading →

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  An unfiltered look at the Chicago 7 trial

  Blog

  Aaron Sorkin’s new film, The Trial of the Chicago 7, has brought renewed attention to a landmark event in Chicago and national history. Opinions have varied as to the film’s stylistic merit, but if you plan to see it, you owe it to yourself to get a deeper and more accurate understanding of the facts and the context. Tales of Hoffman, a short 2001 documentary demo produced by Matthew Palm and Tom Weinberg with Joel Cohen, Bob Hercules and Jim … Continue reading →

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  1963 Chicago Public Schools Boycott Digital Exhibit Is Live Now!

  Blog

  We are thrilled to announce the availability of two exciting new free resources that explore a significant event in civil rights history, the 1963 Chicago Freedom Day. The resources are based on footage shot by Kartemquin Films for their film ‘63 Boycott, which connects the forgotten story of one of the largest northern civil rights demonstrations to contemporary issues around race, education, school closings, and youth activism. Now, audiences will be able to view dozens of hours previously unseen interviews … Continue reading →

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  Voice Your Choice

  Blog

  The right to exercise your vote isn’t something you just talk about—it’s something you do.  The stakes are higher than ever this year, with overt threats to free and fair elections. “Vote and the choice is yours” is how Hollywood icons Gregory Peck, Kirk Douglas, Janet Leigh, and Sidney Poitier said it in 1964. This early TV commercial comes from the Julian P. Kanter Political Commercial Archive at the University of Oklahoma. It was featured in The 90’s Election Special episode, … Continue reading →

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  9/24/20: Virtual Talks with Video Activists: Nancy Buchanan

  Blog, Virtual Talks with Video Activists

  Nancy Buchanan is a conceptual artist working in many forms, including videos, installations, drawings, and mixed media work. Continue reading →

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  9/14/20: Screening and discussion with Media Burn’s summer youth filmmakers

  Blog, Events

  From June to September, Media Burn’s five interns, collaborating virtually, created videos examining on the impact of the pandemic in their own communities–from Belmont Cragin on Chicago’s northwest side all the way to Guangzhou, China. Some chose to examine their quarantine life at home while others ventured out around the globe. Every video is a unique reflection upon this abnormal time. We’re so proud of the work they have done and can’t wait to share it with you! You can … Continue reading →