Native Land

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Cinematographer Tom Hurwitz has shot numerous acclaimed docs ranging from HARLAN COUNTY USA (1976) to VALENTINO: THE LAST EMPEROR (2008). Now he visits STF to pay tribute to the career of his father with this presentation of NATIVE LAND (1942), co-directed by Leo Hurwitz and Paul Strand. The film looks at labor struggles in the U.S., drawing upon the top talent of the time, including narrator Paul Robeson. Actors from the Group Theater reenact scenes that couldn’t be observed in traditional documentary style.

The film had a long and troubled production over many years. Completed just as the U.S. was entering World War II, it only had a brief release and went unseen for decades. At this special STF presentation, Tom Hurwitz will discuss the fascinating back story along with Manny Kirchheimer, a former colleague of the late Leo Hurwitz.

Part of the Spring 2009 season of the Stranger Than Fiction documentary series.

IFC Center does not generally provide advisories about subject matter or potentially triggering content in films, as sensitivities vary from person to person. In addition to the synopses, trailers and other links on our website, further information about content and age-appropriateness for specific films can be found on Common Sense Media, IMDb and DoesTheDogDie.com as well as through general internet searches.