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By
DEBORAH NICOL
Undeniably fitting for the
current state of political unrest in the U.S.,
hindsight to 1969 is brought to life through a
2002 lens. Not that directors Sam Green and Bill
Siegel have affected a modern slant on their
documentary of protest, but that it is impossible
not to extract a mindset and address it towards
actions of the current administration.
There are many great nonviolent leaders of this
century: Gandhi, Martin Luther King...you know the
line-up. The Students for a Democratic Society
began as such a like-minded organization in the
60's, sickened by an impetus towards war in Viet
Nam and disgusted by racial strife in their own
backyards. They observed what they considered to
be ineffectual marches of protest and speeches
that went no further than in one ear and out the
other. Their own group began to splinter, and
those that felt a nonviolent approach was no
longer effective labeled themselves as the
Weathermen.
The moral justification amongst these members was
that on a sliding scale of violence, their acts
were only a small fraction of the pain that was
being created overseas by our own government.
Their new slogan bluntly commanded: "Bring the war
home!" Supporting a belief that worse than
violence was a lack of action, they decided to
bomb structures they believed would leave
important statements. In reaction to the murder of
Black Panther leader Fred Hampton by Chicago
police, they choose a policeman's ball as the
target. During preparation, the bomb prematurely
exploded in the arms of their own members. The
reverberations of violence hit close to home, and
their aims were greatly affected.
Leaders of this revolution are interviewed in the
present day (with the exception of prison-bound
David Gilbert), interspersed with numerous
historic film clips, photos, and audio clips. In
the past, these rebellious youth are
straight-faced, harsh, and forceful. It hardly
needs to be stated that they ceased to believe in
monogamy, for they are truly a solid being, devoid
of mutual respect and care. Though they shout for
equality and a truthful society, they cannot
portray these demands in their actions, as they
desire to kill as indiscriminately as they accuse
their government of doing during war. They feel
their aim is focused, and yet they do not take the
time to meet their enemy in the way that they
demand to be met.
This film produces many great discussions. The
members are intelligent, eloquent citizens, some
of whom regret their previous positions, some who
stand strident, and some who are still attempting
to sort through their actions and the resulting
consequences. Despite these slightly differing
perspectives, an urgency is felt. An urgency
towards a revolution that in its desire for peace
and equality, maintains a sense of humanity.
Extras include separate commentaries by director
Sam Green, and by former Weather Underground
leaders Bernardine Dohrn and Bill Ayers. Also
included are two original Weathermen audio
communiqués sent to the media at large, and an
interesting short film made in 1998 interviewing
former W.U. and Black Liberation member David
Gilbert. |
