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| Movie Review: William Kunstler: Disturbing the Universe Alternate Title: David v. Goliath
Story: Hero, menace and revolutionary
are just three of the terms that directors and writers Emily
Kunstler and Sarah Kunstler, say of their
father, the infamous lawyer, William Kunstler. Watching this un rose-colored documentary about
their father allowed most of my own youth to flash through my mind.
Name the big issues of the day and William Kunstler was front and center,
fighting the good fight, battling the Government, standing for truth,
justice and the right of everyone to have their day in court. He became
radicalized in the 60's while fighting for Civil Rights in the South
as a lawyer for the ACLU. He became a national celebrity during the antics
of the Chicago 8 trial after the Democratic National Convention in Chicago.
He defended the Catonsville Nine, Roman Catholic activists and Vietnam
protesters. He then made more history with his defense of American Indians
vs the US Government at the trial of Wounded Knee, SD. He was also there
for the disgrace that occurred at Attica Prison. He was lionized for his work by liberals and
libertarians across the board. It all changed when he began defending,
what many believed were the indefensible such as Larry Davis, a Bronx
drug dealer who was accused of shooting six NY policemen. He also defended
Egyptian born terrorist El Sayyid Nosair, accused of killing Rabbi Meir
Kahane and more. I have always supported the ACLU and the right
that everyone deserves as good a defense as possible even when the crimes
are heinous. Our Constitution is not a sometimes thing and Willam Kunstler
personified that belief. Watch the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItuWBep2s7c Acting: This is not a category in a documentary. The
many talking heads include: William Kunstler, Herman Badillo, Dennis
Banks, Harry Belafonte, Clyde Bellecourt, Father Daniel Berrigan, Phil
Donahue, Jimmy Breslin, Alan Dershowitz and Elizabeth Fink. Trivia: The Kunstler Sisters won the Charles E. Guggenheim
Emerging Artist Award - Honorable Mention in 2009 for this film and
Nominated for Grand Jury Prize at Sundance. The sisters founded Off
Center Media in 2000, and have produced, directed, and edited a number
of short documentaries, including Tulia, Texas: Scenes from the Drug
War (2002), which won Best Documentary Short at the Woodstock Film Festival,
and was instrumental in winning exoneration for 46 wrongfully convicted
people; and Getting Through to the President (2004), which has aired
on the Sundance Channel.
Predilection: I like documentaries and a big fan
of William Kunstler.
Critters: In May of 1989 Kunstler represented Tyrone the
Cat for 'crimes against humanity' in a televised mock trial on Fox TV's
The Reporters.
Opening Titles: I missed the first five minutes of
this film because they sent me to the wrong theater. Grr.
Theater Audience: About 20 other card carrying members
of the ACLU.
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: Reliving some of the bad times was
squirmy.
Drift Factor: I was riveted.
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: Probably not
Big Screen or Rental: I always recommend the big
screen whenever possible but this would be fine as a rental.
Length: 90 minutes
LOBO HOWLS: 8
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