People and Power

Directed by Peter Pearson and Bonnie Sherr Klein

Canada, 1968 (documentary, 17 minutes, black and white, English)

Image: © National Film Board of Canada

Film Description:
"Conflict and controversy are an integral part of Alinsky's approach to organizing communities. Here he talks about his philosophy and the dynamics of organization."
-- National Film Board of Canada (source)

Film Credits (partial):
Produced by:	John Kemeny, Barrie Howells
Film Editing:	Roger Hart
Production Company:	National Film Board of Canada / Office national du film du Canada

(sources)

Notes about People and Power

The first film in the series 'Organizing for Power: The Alinsky Approach' produced by the National Film Board of Canada's 'Challenge for Change/Société nouvelle' program.

(sources)

Quotes about People and Power

"Scenes of [Saul] Alinsky interacting with First Nations youths on the Rama Indian Reserve in Ontario, lecturing to an audience at the Episcopal Technological School in Boston, and dialoguing with the U.S. secretary of labour serve to convey the central tenets of his ethos but also demonstrate a presumed dynamism on his part. By juxtaposing such scenes [...] the film metaphorically argues that the Alinsky model, and indeed the man himself, is a flexible entity [...]."
-- Stephen Michael Charbonneau (source)

"Another chapter in the Canadian Film Board's casebook on the teachings of Saul Alinsky, People and Power was made during his first tour through Canada in 1968. Although only half the length of Deciding to Organise, the greater flexibility of its format—bypassing the civics-lecture style to catch the man in confrontation with individuals and groups—makes this item rather more stimulating."
-- Richard Combs (source)

Bibliography for People and Power

Articles from Newspapers, Magazines, or News Websites

Combs, Richard. "People and Power." Review of People and Power. Monthly Film Bulletin, vol. 40, no. 468, January 1973.

Web Sites about People and Power

National Film Board of Canada. "NFB -- People and Power." National Film Board of Canada. http://www.onf-nfb.gc.ca/eng/collection/film/?id=10519.