Ep 12. Fight the Power: Protest in Film

In season 1 episode 12 of The Story of Film: An Odyssey titled "Fight the Power: Protest in Film," viewers are taken on a journey through the history of avant-garde cinema and its role in social and political change. Host and narrator Mark Cousins explores how protest and social movements are represented on screen and how filmmakers have used their craft to effect change.

The episode begins by examining the work of Dziga Vertov, a Soviet filmmaker who sought to capture the reality of everyday life through his films. Vertov's approach to filmmaking inspired later filmmakers who sought to use the medium to promote social change, including the directors of the French New Wave movement.

From there, Cousins delves into the work of filmmakers who were working at the time of the American Civil Rights Movement, including Gordon Parks and Melvin Van Peebles. He explores how African-American filmmakers used their work to challenge Hollywood's hegemony and tell their own stories.

The episode then turns its focus to the role of the documentary in social change and examines the work of Erik Barnouw, who made films about poverty and social inequality. It also looks at the work of John Grierson, who is credited as the founder of the documentary genre.

As the episode progresses, Cousins explores how filmmakers have used their work to address environmental issues, including the work of Godfrey Reggio, the director of the film Koyaanisqatsi. He also examines the role of women in avant-garde and political cinema and how films like Chantal Akerman's Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles challenged traditional gender roles.

Throughout "Fight the Power: Protest in Film," Cousins examines the ways in which filmmakers have used their work to challenge the status quo and promote social and political change. He looks at the history of avant-garde cinema and its place in the broader cultural landscape, tracing the evolution of the genre from its early days to its contemporary manifestations.

Overall, "Fight the Power: Protest in Film" is a thought-provoking episode that explores the relationship between cinema and activism. Viewers may come away with a greater appreciation for the power of film to effect change and an understanding of the ways in which filmmakers have harnessed that power throughout history.