Political Film Festival

The Candidate

Guest Speaker: Rep. Steve Israel & Basil Smikle, political strategist and policy advisor

35mm screening!

This timely portrait follows the fictional senate campaign of Bill McKay (Robert Redford), a young, passionate, and photogenic progressive who believes in “A Better Way.” Shot on location with political correspondents playing themselves and real politicians interacting with Redford’s fictional campaign, The Candidate feels more like a political documentary than a fictional film. Acting as a condemnation of the media’s role in the careful cultivation of politicians’ images, The Candidate depicts the transformation of idealism turned political doublespeak. Michael Ritchie’s witty and thought-provoking tale is more than just a history lesson. It’s a warning about the nature of political campaigning that’s still relevant to this day, and its premonitions about the rise of celebrity candidacy is scarily predictive. Some older films feature politics that are out of touch, but fifty years after its initial theatrical release, The Candidate is suited perfectly for today.

Tickets: $16 Public | $10 Members

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