****TAKEOVER***** Film of Homeless People Taking Housing!

Join us Thursday September 13th at 7pm for film night!
Introduction by LES poet, Will Sales
638 East 6th Street, Between avenues B and C
New York City

On May 1st, 1990, homeless people in eight cities around the country seized empty (HUD) federal housing simultaneously. It was the first national coordinated homeless housing takeover ever. Skylight Pictures followed the takeovers with 12 crews in the eight cities (including the Lower East Side), documenting the secret planning, the illegal occupations, and the hopeful aftermath of this bold endeavor. An official selection of the Sundance Film Festival, broadcast on PBS on the P.O.V. series. Released theatrically at The Film Forum (New York City).

“Takeover a stunning, hard-hitting and thought-provoking visual and verbal statement about the homeless and not-so-hapless in America”
- The Hollywood Reporter, April 23, 1991

I'm looking for more info on this... will post as soon as I can find it...

Still can't find a website listing this movie showing.

Anyone in NYC who can find more on this?! Pleeeeez?

K&R

:hug:

:hi:

(Not that THAT isn't a worthy subject as well, of course!)

But it deserves more attention, IMO. Those people took a
direct-action approach that showed SO much of what was wrong
with a nation where citizens went homeless while usable
government-owned housing sat empty. Empty ONLY because the
government declared it illegal to live in it.

That's beyond "wrong", it's OBSCENE.

And that video is just as relevant today, because the same
situations exist, unchanged and ignored.

Poverty is NOT an important issue with liberals, and for those of us who are having a very difficult time surviving, it HURTS.

We get so many snark replies to posts about poverty, but.... very little of actual substance.

I wish I could see this film, because it's certainly hopeful when poor folk themselves (and I think it was mostly women!) take the courage to do something this powerful.

I have posted about 5 times in the last week about Barney Franks Housing Trust Fund Bill HR 2895, and it got ZERO replies......

Nope, poverty just isn't sexy enough for DU.

Thanks.... your reply means a lot to me!

:pals:

It's sinking faster than even *I* thought it would...

:shrug:

:hi:

:kick:

I so much admire the people who "liberated" those houses all those years ago!

It took courage, and I wonder what penalties they paid, and how much support they had.

I wish there were strong groups everywhere who would take this on again!

while it takes our tax money promises us aid but doesn't

they would rather keep houses empty than put the homeless there it says it all

I think there will be plenty of opportunity for the homeless to become not homeless. The banks and other financial agencies will soon be awash in empty houses, and won't be looking at individual properties too closely.

I read about "squatters" in a Florida condo complex simply moving in, turning on the utilities and staying there. The new owner(?) was having difficulty removing them, because they claim to have had a lease from the foreclosed owner, and to have lost the paperwork.

Sounds like time for a bit of creativity.

I know that I wouldn't do it on my own and be able to handle jail alone.

It has to be a group commitment, and there must be support (lawyers, clergy, liberal protestors, etc.) behind it.

(I seem to be on a 1960s lyrics roll tonight.)

From Alice's Restaurant:

And friends, somewhere in Washington enshrined in some little folder, is a
study in black and white of my fingerprints. And the only reason I'm
singing you this song now is cause you may know somebody in a similar
situation, or you may be in a similar situation, and if your in a
situation like that there's only one thing you can do and that's walk into
the shrink wherever you are ,just walk in say "Shrink, You can get
anything you want, at Alice's restaurant.". And walk out. You know, if
one person, just one person does it they may think he's really sick and
they won't take him. And if two people, two people do it, in harmony,
they may think they're both faggots and they won't take either of them.
And three people do it, three, can you imagine, three people walking in
singin a bar of Alice's Restaurant and walking out. They may think it's an
organization. And can you, can you imagine fifty people a day,I said
fifty people a day walking in singin a bar of Alice's Restaurant and
walking out. And friends they may thinks it's a movement.

And that's what it is , the Alice's Restaurant Anti-Massacre Movement, and
all you got to do to join is sing it the next time it come's around on the
guitar.

Hmm, I think he may have an idea there...

it's a serious issue, and needs *real* organization.

Thanks, Woody and Arlo.... you've given us so much!

:applause:

How many times have you tried to get that message across... in those very words?

I found this on POV's website...



There's a 'Buy the film' link that takes you to a different film. :shrug: I searched Transit Media's website (http://www.transitmedia.net/searchtitle.php?letter=T), but it's not listed there... I guess it's no longer available for purchase?

If I were to actually answer that, it would be a very angry reply.

Once again. :nuke:

Just this week, I have reposted your info about Barney Frank's Housing Trust Fund Bill about 4 times, and got 0, that's ZERO responses.

Deaths don't matter to liberals.

Unless it's animals or Iraqis.

:nuke:

Tell me, what is wrong with this picture?

this is one that needs to be seen... I hope this organization gets lots of people on Thursday!

I'm proud of them, and stand in awe of their strength.

IMMENSE courage!

Plus a little bit of desperation.

I've fallen on my face so many times trying to get something moving, that I really can't even imagine doing this.

I'm old and tired.

Is what, exactly, is it going to take to make the majority of America see how horrific it is for those who are down?

You know, I was a single mom on food stamps and AFDC. I worked so much my daughter actually called her babysitter mama before me. I lived in crappy housing and couldn't step outside my door after dark. I didn't have a date for more than 5 years, there wasn't time for such things. I would have been tossed out on my ass if I had lost my job. So, instead of rock the boat I took BS that no one should take.

I hate our system. I despise those who mock those of us who needed a hand up. I deplore the fact that so many fall through the cracks. And still today I live in fear of being in that situation again. Because no one cares when you're down in America.

And that includes liberals, and MOST DUers!

Once more I will say, it begins right here!

How many times have Sapphire Blue and I posted info about Barney Frank's Housing Trust Fund Bill, and it sinks with few or ZERO replies!

How many Dems are SERIOUS about poverty issues?

Where is any REAL concern?

When liberals and Dems yawn and make jokes about it, what hope is there?

I can't even begin to say how much it has hurt me, and how it has affected my own giving up.

thanks for your words... really.... you are so right on!

One big one is Puritan predestination: The Puritans, and others influenced by Calvin, believed in predestination. That means for those alive, if you are successful, you are one of the Elect of God, because He gave you the success. If you are poor or had problems, you are not of the Elect, you are being punished by God, and could be treated like dirt.

This thought process has permeated American culture, especially that of the more outrageous Protestant sects. Which is why no one hears the tv preachers talking about the poor. The poor and homeless don't exist for those people.

:kick:

What's happening..... people taking over homes and claiming them?

in may 1990! has there been a second or third or more?

i would like to see this movie. i wonder which eight cities? i wonder how it was coordinated? i wonder who they were and where they are now? well, as i said - i would like to see this movie.

no such luck.

Sapphire Blue reported that she can't find the video available anywhere, and I looked and looked and couldn't find more info on their website.

Possibly, if you could afford it, you could call the number and find out? And then share the info?

I would appreciate it!

Thank you so much for your interest! :hi:

:yourock:

too early i guess. if i can call during business hours today i will.

I do appreciate your efforts. :thumbsup:

Now that I know just how difficult this film is to find, I appreciate even more their efforts in showing it, and wish that everyone could see it!

:-(

and aren't there in the daytime...

WEIRD.

Thanks so much for trying!

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0348176/

there are links to theme-related films at the bottom of the page.

I would like to see it.

I hope some DUers are able to see it, but I doubt it, since I got no responses from the NY forum.

I've never heard of this film, and wish that it would get some BIG attention!

Thanks again!

:hi:

If these folks in NYC have gotten a showing together,
then at least we know that showings are possible.

There's got to be some way to get a copy. I just don't
know what it is yet.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0348176/externalreviews

proud recommender no. 19

NEW YORK -- While Robin Williams' fictional character fights imagined demons in ''The Fisher King, '' the real homeless are fighting real demons out on our cities' streets every day. These demons, otherwise known as H.U.D., bureaucratic insanity and public apathy, are the crosses our homeless must bear.

Making its U.S. theatrical premiere at Film Forum, ''Takeover: Heroes of the New American Depression'' chronicles the events leading up to May 1... 1990 -- the day when the homeless in eight cities across the country rose up and took over government-owned vacant houses -- and its aftermath.

The homeless situation is inherently dramatic to begin with, and filmmakers Peter Kinoy and Pamela Yates get right to the heart of the matter, and the viewer, by focusing on the humanity of these people. They are not just statistics or trash to be discarded. They are people who, in most of the instances in this film, have suffered some tremendous tragedy that has forced them onto the streets. At the very least, this film will make you appreciate what you have.

The camera, which is used as an active participant rather than as a mere observer, allows us a poignant insider's view into the heart-breaking life of a homeless person. We not only come away moved, but with a new insight and empathy for these mostly abandoned souls.

Shot simultaneously in eight cities with eight crews (one camera was manned by a homeless person), Kinoy and Yates have expertly, and impressively, tied it all together into a coherent narrative.

Even more impressive are the homeless people that we meet. It is a mind-opening surprise to discover that these people are not only capable of organizing together to improve their lot, but that they still have the spirit to do so. It's not so much a film about victims of society, but about a shamefully ignored segment of our country who realize they must ultimately rely on themselves.

The opening shot of a homeless man unable to contain his tears as he explains how he was evicted, powerfully and immediately addresses the issue at hand. There are millions of homeless people living on the street, while the government owns homes (mostly through foreclosures) that it keeps vacant. Admittedly, we never get a chance to hear any government officials explain their policies. It would be interesting to hear them defend their priorities.

Occasionally using black-and-white film, and a gritty blues score, Yates and Kinoy deftly capture the feel of the streets. For the most part, however, the people that we meet up close are upbeat and hopeful. Casanova, a veteran of Tomkins Square Park, is one of the leaders and a true inspiration to his fellow homeless as he walks the 300 miles to a Washington rally. There may not be any true happy endings here, but there are some hopeful beginnings.

The purpose of this documentary (which in part was funded by Bruce Springsteen and Michael Moore) isn't merely to shame the viewer into action. It is obvious that without some help from their fellow humans the homeless will not survive. But ''Takeover,'' even more important, serves as an emotional testament to the indominatable spirit of these heroic men, women and children.

TAKEOVER: HEROES OF THE NEW AMERICAN DEPRESSION

A Skylight Pictures Production

Directors-producers Peter Kinoy, Pamela Yates

Editor Peter Kinoy

Sound editor Marcello Navarro

Color/Black & white

Running time -- 58 minutes

No MPAA rating

(c) The Hollywood Reporter

In an episode of Globe Trekker they visited a community (it was a Nordic country, although I don't recall which) where the people took over an abandoned military base and made it their own community. The initial take-over was 20 or so years ago and they have built a thriving community of artists and free thinkers. It has even become a tourist destination for it's uniqueness and lack of authoritarian leadership.










edited for spelling