United States | 2020 | John Gianvito

The radical views of author, lecturer, and crusader Helen Keller (who could neither see nor hear) have been largely suppressed or sanitized over the years. A pioneering leftist thinker who fervently and eloquently advocated for many progressive causes (from the rights of women and the disabled to international socialism and world peace), Keller is restored to her rightful place in American political discourse in this new film essay by John Gianvito (Profit Motive and the Whispering Wind). Gianvito combines onscreen text taken from Keller’s speeches with images of nature and voiceover by poet Carolyn Forché to create a unique blend of activism, historical analysis, and poetry. With Noam Chomsky. “Reconstructs Keller from an icon of vague, feel-good platitudes to the fiercely political woman she truly was.” –Hyperallergic. Cleveland premiere. 93 min.

Her Socialist Smile, a Cinematheque streaming exclusive, can be viewed online from 7/16 thru at least 9/30 via the link below. Doing so supports the Cinematheque. Screening fee is $12 and you have five days to watch it. An “Audio Description Version” of the film is also available at the link below.

http://projectr.tv/films/her-socialist-smile/60c7e3b58c00eb0001561438?theater_id=190