Voices of Cabrini

Terse, informative, and convincing, Ronit Bezalel’s half-hour video documents the eviction of longtime residents from Chicago’s mid-city ghetto due to what’s euphemistically called “city planning” (the city claims that these people will be able to move back into the area, but so far most of them haven’t been able to find affordable housing). The story is basically told by the people being uprooted, and the feel for the neighborhood and its history is what leaves the strongest impression; Bezalel and her cinematographer, Antonio Ferrera, are especially good in handling the closing down of a barbershop. A discussion will follow the screening. Chicago Cultural Center, 78 E. Washington, Thursday, July 8, 6:30, 312-346-3278 or 773-728-1879. –Jonathan Rosenbaum

Art accompanying story in printed newspaper (not available in this archive): film still. Read more