Medium Cool

(Haskell Wexler, US 1969, 111 min., 16mm)

Labor Film Series. In contrast to de Antonio’s coverage of the 1968 Democratic primaries (screening September 9), Medium Cool is a 1960s answer to Italian neo-realism, blending documentary footage of actual protests at that year’s Democratic convention with the fictional story of a TV cameraman struggling with his conscience over his role in capturing (or perpetuating?) the social ills of the day. Rochester’s own Robert Forster gives a riveting performance in this disturbing portrait of the decade’s political turmoil and unrest. Special screening in memory of Haskell Wexler (1922–2015).