Selling Democracy:
Films of the Marshall Plan, 1948-1953
From October 17 to 26, the Gene Siskel Film Center, in association with Goethe-Insitut Chicago, presents a series of four programs entitled Selling Democracy: Films of the Marshall Plan, 1948-53.
One of the most ambitious and successful development programs ever undertaken, the Marshall Plan, initiated in 1947, poured over $13 billion into the rebuilding of European countries devastated by World War II. In addition to providing material assistance, the Plan also sought to promote cultural values, all the more essential in the lengthening shadow of the Cold War.
These efforts included a group of around 250 short films (of which 25 are included in this series) that were produced under the auspices of the Marshall Plan’s motion picture unit. They were shown before features in movie theaters and later disseminated in schools, community centers, and other nontheatrical venues. The films were not permitted to be shown in the United States until 1990, and this current tour represents the first wide exposure they have had in the country that sponsored them.
In conjunction with the Selling Democracy film series, the Goethe-Institute presents the symposium “Selling Democracy: Productivity and Propoganda in the Service of American Foreign Policy” at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, October 25, at the Goethe-Institut, Suite 200, 150 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago. Admission is free but reservations are recommended, call 312-263-0472.
-- Martin Rubin
film descriptions
Program One: Out of the Ruins
1948-52, Various directors and countries, total 110 min.
Devastation and rebuilding are the themes of a program including HUNGER, whose harsh viewpoint caused the film to be withdrawn in Germany; THE BRIDGE, a docudrama about the airlift; LIFE AND DEATH OF A CAVE CITY, a rare color film about the relocation of Italian cave-dwellers; HOUEN ZO!, a Cannes prizewinner about the rebuilding of Rotterdam; and others. (MR)
Curator and U.S. Project Director Sandra Schulberg will introduce and discuss the program.
Monday, October 17, 8:00 pm
Program Two: Help Is on the Way
1950-2, Various directors and countries, total 102 min.
Productivity and enterprise are the themes of an upbeat program including THE EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURES OF A QUART OF MILK, a clever documentary narrated by a milk can; RICE AND BULLS, a portrait of France’s Camargue cowboys by Hollywood vet Wesley Ruggles; ISLAND OF FAITH, about a Dutch island reclaimed from the sea; HANSL AND THE 200,000 CHICKS, a charming Austrian tale about a junior chicken-farmer; and others. (MR)
Curator and U.S. Project Director Sandra Schulberg will introduce and discuss the program.
Wednesday, October 19, 8:00 pm
Program Three: True Fiction
1950-2, Various directors and countries, total 120 min.
Straight fiction and docudrama characterize a program that includes AQUILA, a lyrical Italian story about a thief who needs a job; THE PROMISE OF BARTY O’BRIEN, a drama of generational conflict performed by Dublin’s Abbey Theatre Players; THE SMITHS AND THE ROBINSONS, a wry send-up of the British class system; LET’S BE CHILDISH!, a multi-national Alpine holiday in which adults are seen only from the knees down; and others. (MR)
Curator and U.S. Project Director Sandra Schulberg will introduce and discuss the program.
Monday, October 24, 8:00 pm
Program Four: Strength for the Free World
1950-3 Various directors and countries, total 109 min.
Anti-communist themes are the focus of a program including WITHOUT FEAR, a punchy British animation about the red tide engulfing Europe; WHITSUN HOLIDAY, a witty comparison of how Western and Eastern Europeans spend their vacations; DO NOT DISTURB!, a mock Communist propaganda film that backfires; THE SHOEMAKER AND THE HATTER, a pro-Common Market cartoon by John Halas and Joy Batchelor; and others. (MR)
Curator and U.S. Project Director Sandra Schulberg will introduce and discuss the program.
