Street Movies at FACTS Charter School
Location(s)
Co-Sponsored by Asian Americans United (AAU)
In the context of the current struggle over the proposed siting of a casino in Center City near Chinatown, we present a program of short films about how communities have organized to demand a voice in the process of city planning and urban development. Includes discussion of works screened, with filmmakers in person.
Save Chinatown (1975, 28:40) by John Wing Lum 
A rarely screened film documenting the successful organizing efforts to halt the construction of the Vine Street Expressway on-ramp that would have cut through and destroyed Philadelphia's Chinatown and demolished the Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. Join this cross-cultural inter-generational coalition of Philadelphia residents as they pack Town Halls, City Council meetings and the State Capitol, and take to the streets to fight for community self-determination.
Casinos Destroy Philadelphia Communities (2008, 1:57 min) by Media Mobilizing Project
An insightful and moving interview with FACTS principal Deborah Wei on the costs of locating a casino in the heart of the city.
Resisting the Predators: Casinos Invade Philadelphia (2009, 4:06 min) by Ron Stanford
A citywide coalition calls upon city and civic leaders to stop the predatory casino industry at a press conference on February 18, 2009 in front of the Bellevue Hotel.
Who Do You Stand With? (2008, 3:00 min) by Gary San Angel
A video clip documenting a Chinatown community meeting on the proposed casino.
Free the River Park (2008, 15 min) by Evolve Strategies
Chronicles the protracted fight against CSX Railroad's efforts to block the community access to the Schuykill River. The doc inspires other groups on how to successfully wage grassroots organizing campaigns to improve and protect their communities.
Locusts (USA, 2008, 11:27 min) by Iqaa the Olivetone
Detroit-based Hip-Hop artists, Invincible and Finale, rhyme about how profit-driven urban development schemes displace poor communities. Through music, lyrics, and interviews with youth and community activists, including Grace Lee Boggs, this documentary/music video offers alternative forms of economic development that engages communities and prioritizes the health and well-being of inner city neighborhoods.
Slip of the Tongue (2005, 4:06 min) by Karen Lum
A young man makes a pass at a beautiful stranger and gets an eye opening schooling on race and gender.
Profit Cola (2004, Animation, 2:06 min) by Mark Fiore
All aboad! Ride the Sugar Rollercoaster of Profit Cola. Next stop: childhood obesity.
Water Warriors (2006, 6:17 min) by Liz Miller
When water costs soar, residents of Highland Park, Michigan demand to know who will foot the bill.
E-Waste (2007, 1:41 min) Animated by Ian Lynam, Produced by Morgan Currie & Lindsay Utz, GOOD Magazine
An animated film illustrates the environmental and human damage caused by electronic waste.
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About Asian Americans United (AAU)
Established in 1985, Asian Americans United, our community partner for this event, exists so that people of Asian ancestry in Philadelphia exercise leadership to build their communities and unite to challenge oppression.
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Street Movies! is made possible with support from the Samuel S. Fels Fund, Independence Foundation, Philadelphia Cultural Fund, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, H. Fred and Karen Clark, Juliette Goodfriend, Ann Greene, and Laurence Saltzman.