Fires in the mirror [videorecording] : Crown Heights, Brooklyn and other identities / American Playhouse presents a Cherie Fortis production ; KCET/Los Angeles ; Hipster Entertainment ; producer, Cherie Fortis ; conceived, written and performed by Anna Deavers Smith ; directed by George C. Wolfe.
Format:
[videorecording] :
Edition:
Fullscreen ed.
Publisher:
Monterey,
Copyright Date:
2009
Description:
1 videodisc (87 min.) : sd., col. with b&w sequences ; 4 3/4 in.
On the road, a search for American character. American playhouse (Television program)
Notes:
Originally broadcast in 1993 as a segment of the television program: American playhouse. Based on Fires in the mirror by Anna Deavere Smith. Part of Smith's series: On the road, a search for American character.
Summary:
August 1991. Crown Heights, Brooklyn. A Hasidic man's car jumps a curb and kills a seven-year-old black child. Hours later, a Hasidic student is stabbed to death in what appears to be a retaliatory act. A city riots, exploding in racial tension. On Aug. 19, 1991 in Crown Heights (Brooklyn, N.Y.) a Hasidic man accidentally ran over a 7-year old Black boy (Gavin Cato). Three hours later a young Jewish scholar (Yankel Rosenbaum) was murdered by Black youths. Four days of fire-bombing and riots ensued. Utilizing verbatim excerpts from interviews she conducted, Anna Deavere Smith acts out the roles of 18 people involved in the racial conflict, trying to present the differing viewpoints. Includes actual film footage of the riots and violence.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.