16mm

Angela Davis: Portrait of a Revolutionary

Yolande du Luart

One of the rarest items in this series, director Yolande du Luart’s documentary about legendary political activist Angela Davis began shooting in 1969, when she was a subject of increasing scrutiny after coming out as a Communist, provoking the ire of administrators and governor Ronald Reagan.

DIRECTOR
Yolande du Luart
YEAR
1972
COUNTRY
USA
RUNTIME
80 minutes
FORMAT
16mm

This documentary about the legendary political activist is one of the rarest items in this series. Director Yolande du Luart had been involved in Lettrist circles in France before decamping for California to study film at UCLA, where her classmates included Charles Burnett and Haile Gerima. During this time, UCLA professor Angela Davis was a subject of increasing scrutiny after coming out as a Communist, provoking the ire of administrators and governor Ronald Reagan. Believing that Davis would be an ideal film subject, du Luart immediately began making a documentary, though she would ultimately return to France to complete the project after receiving unwanted attention from the FBI. “Over the course of events,” writes Nicole Brenez, “this appreciative and sensitive portrait of a politically engaged philosopher had been transformed into a call for the liberation of an imprisoned activist and an internationalist revolutionary manifesto.”

Note: This film is presented with its original 16mm optical sound and dialogue may be difficult to discern in sections.

Read More

Videos

On the latest episode of FLC Luminaries, our video series that spotlights talent at all levels of the filmmaking process who uplift the art and craft of cinema, Rose of Nevada director Mark Jenkin discusses his sci-fi-tinged tale of dislocation and regeneration.

Videos

Our 63rd New York Film Festival Talks featured a special conversation with With Hasan in Gaza director Kamal Aljafari, moderated by Film Comment editor Devika Girish.

Videos

On the latest episode of FLC Luminaries, our video series that spotlights talent at all levels of the filmmaking process who uplift the art and craft of cinema, Our Land (Nuestra Tierra) director Lucrecia Martel discusses her expansive and enlightening first feature documentary.

Make FLC Your Home for Cinema

Member Discount on All Tickets

NYFF Pre-Sale Access

Pre-sale Access to FLC Series and Festivals

Free Tickets

Exclusive Events

Members-only Newsletter

Film at Lincoln Center Logo

Walter Reade Theater + Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center

165 and 144 W 65th Street

New York, NY 10023


212.875.5825

Be the first to hear exciting news and announcements from FLC, including upcoming programming, special offers, added tickets, and more.