Fictional and factual depictions of the history, culture, and politics of the United States in film.
Recommendations 31-35:
31. THE GATES (2007), dir. Albert Maysles, David Maysles, Antonio Ferrera, Matthew Prinzing
“A documentary on New York City’s biggest public art project ever, an installation called “The Gates” by Christo and Jeanne Claude.”
Availability: Available for free on Tubi TV and possibly on Kanopy. Also available for rental via KinoNow.
32. STANDING AT THE SCRATCH LINE (2016), dir. Julie Dash
“Recounts the impact of migrants on the African Methodist Episcopal church. Philadelphia’s Mother Bethel AME, the nation’s oldest African-American church, served as a local community partner, as well as Mother Emmanuel Church in Charleston, SC, the site of the 2015 mass shooting.”
Availability: Available on The Criterion Channel with a subscription.
33. TAKE YOUR BAGS (1998), dir. Camille Billops
“Billops’ examination of slavery and cultural theft.”
Availability: Available on The Criterion Channel with a subscription.
34. FIRST LADY (1937), dir. Stanley Logan
“SEE THE WASHINGTON “MARRY-GO-ROUND!”
A politician’s wife plots for her husband to become the next U.S. President.”
Availability: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
35. BOOKED FOR SAFEKEEPING (1960), dir. George C. Stoney
“A training film showing police officers how to deal with persons who are mentally ill.”
Availability: Possibly available via Kanopy and free on YouTube
[The American Experience Film Recs]