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The Kartemquin Films Collection

Chicago-based Kartemquin Films has been a center for independent documentary filmmaking since the 1960s. This collection includes classic films from Kartemquin made in the 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s among other award-winning films.

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The Kartemquin Films Collection includes the following titles:

Refrigerator Mothers - imageRefrigerator Mothers

From the 1950's through the 1970's, autism was widely blamed on cold and rejecting mothers. This film explores the devastating impact of this misdiagnosis through the stories of seven mothers and their children.

The Fanlight Collection | 2002 | 53 minutes | College/Adult/Professional
Saving Mes Aynak - imageSaving Mes Aynak

Afghan archaeologist Qadir Temori races against time to save a 5,000-year-old archaeological site from imminent demolition.

Icarus Films | 2015 | 58 minutes
Taylor Chain I: A Story in a Union Local - imageTaylor Chain I: A Story in a Union Local

The gritty realities of a seven-week strike at a small Indiana chain factory during 1973-74.

Kartemquin Films | 1980 | 33 minutes
Taylor Chain II: A Story of Collective Bargaining - imageTaylor Chain II: A Story of Collective Bargaining

A return 10 years later to the Taylor Chain plant to show labor and management working together against the odds.

Kartemquin Films | 1983 | 30 minutes
The Chicago Maternity Center Story - imageThe Chicago Maternity Center Story

The struggle to keep the Chicago Maternity Center open after 75 years.

Kartemquin Films | 1976 | 60 minutes
The Homestretch - imageThe Homestretch

Three homeless teens in Chicago fight to stay in school, graduate, and build a future.

Bullfrog Films | 2014 | 89 minutes | 10 - 12, College, Adults
The Last Pullman Car - imageThe Last Pullman Car

In 1981, Pullman workers found themselves in the midst of a fight not only for their jobs but the future of the American rail car industry.

Kartemquin Films | 1983 | 56 minutes
Thumbs Down - imageThumbs Down

A teenage youth group decides "to bring Christ to their neighborhood" by holding an anti-war Mass at their conservative Chicago parish.

Kartemquin Films | 1968 | 102 minutes
Trick Bag - imageTrick Bag

Gang members, Vietnam vets, and young factory workers talk about their personal experience with racism - who gets hurt and who profits.

Kartemquin Films | 1974 | 21 minutes
UE/Wells - imageUE/Wells

The record of an organizing drive by the United Electrical Workers Union at the Wells Foundry in Chicago.

Kartemquin Films | 1975 | 15 minutes

Visit the title page to preview any of the titles above.