[Marxism] A letter from the director of "The Camden 28"

[Louis Proyect]

July 23, 2007
A Letter from the Filmmaker

The Camden 28 Opens July 27 at NY's Cinema Village

Dear Friends:

In August of 1971, the FBI arrested a group of anti-war protesters 
involved in a break in at a draft board office in Camden, New Jersey. 
The group's aim was to stop soldiers from going to Vietnam by destroying 
the draft files that compelled them to serve in the armed forces. 
Apprehended on site in a clearly planned sting, the protesters included 
four Catholic priests, a Lutheran minister, and 23 others.  The men and 
women arrested that summer called themselves "America's conscience." The 
government called them the Camden 28.  What followed their arrest was an 
extraordinary, unorthodox trial that became a showcase for America's 
growing anti-war sentiment.

In light of current debates over civil liberties and the questionable 
use of war as a means to promote democracy, the experiences of the 
Camden 28 provides an excellent springboard for dialogue and action. 
This film, while grounded in the history of the Vietnam War, is a must 
see for anyone concerned about the war in Iraq today, how we got into it 
and what it might take to get us out of it.  Viewers will be confronted 
with questions about the responsibilities of citizens in a democracy, 
the effectiveness of protest, government infiltration of dissident 
groups, the morality of war and what religious beliefs demands of adherents.

The film also highlights what was then called the "Catholic Left," in 
contrast to most commentary about religious politics today, which paints 
Christians – Catholics included – as uniformly conservative.  When you 
look at members of the Camden 28, it's hard not to make the connection 
to today's so-called "Religious Right," whose adherents claim to have a 
monopoly on the teachings of Jesus.  But I had always been taught that 
Jesus instructed his followers to "put away the sword, for he who lives 
by the sword shall die by the sword."  As the film demonstrates, the 
actions of the Camden 28 were motivated by their deep commitment to the 
Gospels, and as I see it, basically was their answer to the recently 
marketed phrase, "What Would Jesus Do?"

Now is a critical time for the film. If it has a strong opening weekend 
in New York, it has a good chance of being booked in theatres across the 
country. And a wider release means more people will come in contact with 
the Camden 28's relevant message for America today.  We need your help 
in making sure that the word gets out about the film.  First Run 
Features can help you by providing you with flyers, posters and even 
copies of this letter.

Members of the Camden 28 and I will be at the theater on opening weekend 
and some of the following screenings. I encourage you to come to see the 
film and talk with us afterwards.  And be sure to tell your friends.

Best,
Anthony Giacchino

The Camden 28 on the Web: http://firstrunfeatures.com/camden_synopsis.html

Cinema Village on the Web: http://www.cinemavillage.com


“However galvanic the present seems for moviemakers, history brings out 
the best in documentaries . . . So it's easy to be seduced by Anthony 
Giacchino's The Camden 28..For aging rads, it's something of a gift; for 
the under-30 conscientious, it could be an inspiration.” -The Village Voice

“The unspoken parallels between Iraq and Vietnam and the antiwar 
movements then and now are illustrated by The Camden 28, a poignant 
documentary recalling the all-but-forgotten trial of 28 Vietnam War 
opponents, mostly members of the Catholic Left, who were prosecuted for 
breaking into a draft board office in August 1971.”  -Stephen Holden, 
The New York Times

“As relevant now as ever. …an engaging, engrossing tale.” -Film Threat

“If protest seems futile, The Camden 28 shows how it can be 
done…Stirring, surprising, full of twists and turns, betrayals and 
redemption.” -Anthony Kaufman, San Francisco Film Society

“A story of resistance, friendship, and betrayal played out against the 
backdrop of one of the most turbulent periods in recent American 
history.” -Human Rights Watch Film Festival