Marshall Curry made me believe in the U.S. political system. He also made me hate it.
This film is an eye-opening view of street front politics. In the 2002 election, the young, intelligent, charismatic candidate Cory Booker wants to be Newark mayor. He thinks he can help turn the crime-ridden city around. But old-school politician Sharpe James has been mayor for 16 years, and he isn't going quietly. Curry follows along as Booker tries to play by the rules to win voter support, and James repeatedly tries every dirty trick in the book to stop him. He slurs Booker's ethnicity for not being black enough, he calls in paid supporters from out of state, he gets his team to tear down Booker's signs.
There's a dramatic scene where James's police officers even push around Curry, for attempting to film the mayor!
Booker ends up losing the 2002 election, but the movie closes with him declaring his candidacy for 2006. He would win in a landslide, a deserving victory if I ever saw one.
As a piece of political education, Street Fight is absolutely essential. As a piece of filmmaking, it is absolutely terrific. Marshall Curry is a director to watch.
This film is an eye-opening view of street front politics. In the 2002 election, the young, intelligent, charismatic candidate Cory Booker wants to be Newark mayor. He thinks he can help turn the crime-ridden city around. But old-school politician Sharpe James has been mayor for 16 years, and he isn't going quietly. Curry follows along as Booker tries to play by the rules to win voter support, and James repeatedly tries every dirty trick in the book to stop him. He slurs Booker's ethnicity for not being black enough, he calls in paid supporters from out of state, he gets his team to tear down Booker's signs.
There's a dramatic scene where James's police officers even push around Curry, for attempting to film the mayor!
Booker ends up losing the 2002 election, but the movie closes with him declaring his candidacy for 2006. He would win in a landslide, a deserving victory if I ever saw one.
As a piece of political education, Street Fight is absolutely essential. As a piece of filmmaking, it is absolutely terrific. Marshall Curry is a director to watch.