STF’s night of American radicals: THE WEATHER UNDERGROUND

• by Raphaela Neihausen, November 19, 2009

“This may sound odd, but before 2003 I could go for a year without talking about the Weather Underground,” said Mark Rudd, author of the recently published memoir UNDERGROUND, speaking at Monday night’s STF. What changed in 2003 was the release of Sam Green and Bill Siegel’s film THE WEATHER UNDERGROUND exploring the history of the 1970’s radical group whose tactics of violent confrontation left a controversial legacy. “When the film came out,” Rudd said, “I really started thinking about history. Would the Weather Underground exist in people’s memory, if this film hadn’t come out?”  Siegel joined Rudd for the Q&A. The night was co-presented by Docurama as part of its 10th anniversary celebration. (Photo of Oliver Stone, Johanna Lawrenson - the widow of Abbie Hoffman, and Mark Rudd - a fortuitous sidewalk post-screening meeting on the way to 99 Below, courtesy of EJ Kaniewski / Bear)

Q&A with Thom Powers and Weather Underground cofounder Mark Rudd.  Photo courtesy of EJ Kaniewski / Bear.

Oliver Stone with Johanna Lawrenson (widow of Abbie Hoffman) in front of Minetta Tavern.  Photo courtesy of Adrian Marin.

Paul Cronin, author of HERZOG ON HERZOG and director of A TIME TO STIR (another film featuring Mark Rudd) with the man himself - Mark Rudd.

The wonderful folks at Docurama who provide STF passholder DVDs and co-presented this screening of THE WEATHER UNDERGROUND in honor of their 10th anniversary: April Benavides and John Squires.

STF passholder Courtney Erwin attended this screening straight from the airport, after getting off a 30 hour flight from Australia.  Now that’s dedication!

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