CHISHOLM ’72 — Unbought & Unbossed

“Bottom line: Rather than seeming dated, Chisholm's movie and commitment is a refreshing antidote to the opportunism and cynicism that rules the political roost today…an inspiring tale of someone who made a difference…the film could be a worthy candidate for select theatrical release.”

— The Hollywood Reporter

Synopsis

CHISHOLM ’72 — Unbought & Unbossed is the first historical documentary on Brooklyn Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm and her campaign to become the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee in 1972. Following Chisholm from the announcement of her candidacy in January to the Democratic National Convention in Miami, Florida in July, the story is like her- fabulous, fierce, and fundamentally “right on.”

Chisholm’s fight is for inclusion, as she writes in her book The Good Fight (1973), and encompasses all Americans “who agree that the institutions of this country belong to all of the people who inhabit it.” Shunned by the political establishment, Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm asks people of color, feminists and young voters for their support to “reshape our society and take control of our destiny as we go down the Chisholm Trail in 1972.” To the surprise of many, voters responded.

CHISHOLM ’72 reflects Chisholm’s wit, spirit, and charisma, reminding all Americans of their power as citizens while inspiring some to join the Chisholm Trail and continue fighting “The Good Fight.”

View long synopsis

TECHNICAL ASPECTS
Length: 75:30 Minutes
Format: Digital Video
Completion Date: January 2004

Airing on PBS’s Documentary Series Point of View in 2005.

Now entering its 17th season on PBS, P.O.V. is the first and longest-running series on television to feature the work of America’s most innovative documentary filmmakers. Bringing over 200 award-winning films to millions nationwide, P.O.V. has pioneered the art of presentation and outreach using independent media to build new communities in conversation about today’s most pressing social issues.

Major funding for P.O.V. is provided by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts, the Educational Foundation of America, PBS and public television viewers. Funding for Talking Back and P.O.V.’s Borders (www.pbs.org/pov) is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. P.O.V. is presented by a consortium of public television station including KCET/Los Angeles, WGBH/Boston, and WNET/New York. Cara Mertes is executive director of P.O.V. P.O.V. is a division of American Documentary, Inc.

A REALside Productions Documentary