Living in Los Angeles it is difficult to escape the film industry’s love affair with historical drama. Fortunately, this summer will provide a lot of material for History teachers to ponder. I look forward to connecting with my colleagues and rehashing how we could have directed it better.
A post-Holocaust documentary that follows six women, who all moved to Los Angeles, married, raised children and became “Americans” but never truly found a place to call home. Now playing.
American Socialist: The Life and Times of Eugene Victor Debs
The word “socialist” has become a political epithet. This doc attempts to further define and contextualize the term, tracing the history of American populism with the man who inspired progressive ideas from the New Deal to Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign. Now playing.
Jeannette: The Childhood of Joan of Arc
Yes, a musical starring an 8 year old with a small cast and minimalist production values… how can it miss in America. Most likely of limited historical value. I can’t wait to bring the kids. Now playing.
An award-winning documentary on Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. Now playing.
A WWII thriller with the Gestapo hunting a young resistance fighter above the Arctic Circle in Norway. Will he make it to Sweden before the Germans find him? Now playing.
The real life story of the Enlightenment author as told by IFC, aka what US English teachers will be doing over Memorial Day weekend. May 25.
Variety calls it a fact-based misfire. This story of a major-league baseball player turned WW2 intelligence agent stars Paul Rudd. I’d rather see it than Ant-Man and the Wasp. June 22.
What History/Government teacher isn’t already ranting against one of the greatest threats to American democracy: corporate money’s influence on our elections and officials? This doc will make collusion with the Russian’s seem easier to beat. July 27.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society
A movie about a book club becomes what The Hollywood Reporter calls an old-fashioned romance and a detective story trumpeting gender equality. August 10.
Drama about a member of the French Resistance who plays psychological games with a Nazi collaborator to learn about her husband’s fate after he’s arrested by the Germans. August 24.
HistoryRewriter 