Film historian Elliot Lavine examines the intersection of film and politics in 20th century America
Film Noir, now considered a classic genre of independent cinema, was often disdained by critics during its heyday. And no critics were harsher in the 1940's and 50's than the House Un-American Activities Committee, who investigated and occasionally jailed renegade screenwriters, directors, and producers. Film historian Elliot Lavine has curated programs in Portland and San Francisco where he revives important archival films that have too often been neglected. His latest course, Film Noir and the Blacklist, is offered through Oregon State University and is currently screening at Portland's Cinema 21.
We also talk with Seattle filmmaker Jeff Unay. Jeff's documentary The Cage Fighter is playing as part of the Northwest Film Center's Northwest Trackingseries.