New "Socialist Films" site

[KurtFF8]

I don't know if I've brought this up before or not, but the site http://www.socialistfilms.org/ has been inactive for some time now. Also it's scope is to focus on films from socialist countries. I was thinking (or have been for a while) about making a blog devoted to "socialism in film" (or perhaps "leftism in film" thus being able to deal with other themes) which would include films from Socialist and non-Socialist countries alike (for example there are many leftist films that have come from the West).

I might write 2-4 reviews before I publish them on the site. This will in a sense be both a continuation of the socialist films site and an expansion of it (although not condoned by the author since I've never been in contact with that author).

Another thing I want to be different will be having other people help out with it, so if anyone else is interested in leftism in film let me know and perhaps I could add you to the site to make posts (it's a blogger site).

The first "reviews" should be up within a few days and I'll post them then. I also may need help designing the blog itself.

Edit: The site is now online and public: http://leftisminfilm.wordpress.com/

[bellyscratch]

Sounds good man. I've been asked to help put on a Socialist Film Festival near me that can also 'appeal to the mainstream'. So I will be definatley checking it out for recommendations to put on.

[KurtFF8]

Sounds good man. I've been asked to help put on a Socialist Film Festival near me that can also 'appeal to the mainstream'. So I will be definatley checking it out for recommendations to put on.

Cool, if you want I can PM you some of the films I plan on writing about.

[bellyscratch]

sounds good :)

[UndergroundConnexion]

It always frustrates me that I can only find 2-3 films which are on that site... is there any online way to watch those films ?

[KurtFF8]

It always frustrates me that I can only find 2-3 films which are on that site... is there any online way to watch those films ?

A lot of those films are indeed hard to find, can't really help you there (also that original site isn't mine)

[KurtFF8]

Shameless self promotion:

The site is now online:

http://leftisminfilm.wordpress.com/

Let me know what you think

[Spawn of Stalin]

Looks good, Comrade. A couple of films I would recommend are Matewan and Reds, both good American films with strong leftist themes.

[KurtFF8]

Thanks.

I actually wrote a draft for Matewan that I'll publish soon, and I'm also going to write something up about Reds, thanks for the suggestions.

[Niccolò Rossi]

Even though it might not exactly be a 'socialist film', I would recommend giving Blue Collar (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Collar_%28film%29) a go. I watched it a couple weeks ago on TV here, having not heard about it before.

Really interesting film, especially for the role it portrays the union as serving. Even though it isn't a communist critique of the conditions of the working class or the practices of the state and the unions, it is an interesting snap shot. I highly recommend it.

[Revy]

Patty Hearst (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patty_Hearst_%28film%29) is good if you want an in-depth look at the Symbionese Liberation Army. I wouldn't put it under films related to socialism, but it is related to radical left-wing politics (the SLA was more identity politics than class struggle). What makes the film great is that it doesn't bash the SLA the whole time (as I was expecting for a film which is from the perspective of Patty Hearst) but puts it from their perspective as well, though it does show how ridiculous their tactics were, and how they set themselves up for failure.

[KurtFF8]

Well the site isn't necessarily only socialist themes, but the broader left (which of course has room to include some things that deal with identity politics and the like) but I do like to focus on class issues as much as possible ;)

[Bright Banana Beard]

It would be great if you contain to download or stream online link.

[KurtFF8]

True, but that could provide some...legal issues

[Manifesto]

I do not think it is illegal just to provide the link. I see many people do that on youtube.

[Kassad]

We can't promote the illegal download of copyrighted or privately owned films or works. I apologize, but even links promoting this action are permitted.

[Manifesto]

We can't promote the illegal download of copyrighted or privately owned films or works. I apologize, but even links promoting this action are permitted.
I was talking about that website not this and you might want to edit that a bit.

[JohannGE]

Shameless self promotion:

The site is now online:

http://leftisminfilm.wordpress.com/

Let me know what you think

Many thanks Kurt, I look forward to seeing it grow.

Hope you might consider watching/reviewing COMMUNE de Paris1871 by Peter Watkins. Increasingly forgotten, utterly unique in it's approach and technique, combining a historical portrayal simultaneous with contemporary commentary on the content from participants in the filming. Absolutely no hint of Hollywood glitz and imo, all the better for it.
[/URL]
[URL]http://www.revleft.com/vb/peter-watkins-t106553/index.html?t=106553 (http://www.revleft.com/vb/peter-watkins-t106553/index.html?t=106553)

[KurtFF8]

I've seen a little bit of that film but not the whole thing. I'll have to check it out again.

[OriginalGumby]

this is really cool, I have been wanting to find more left wing movies for awhile now for our group to show at fundraising events our whatever. Thanks a ton.

[KurtFF8]

Of course, and I plan on adding some reviews that I'm about to write up pretty soon.

[human strike]

Looks good.

[KurtFF8]

Thanks, I'm trying to get some more contributors too, so if anyone is interested