Leading up to the 2008 presidential election, San Diego filmmaker Yale Strom heard a term thrown around quite a bit: socialist. Then-Senator Barack Obama was running against Senator John McCain. And he was often called "socialist" by his opponents.
Digital Gym Cinema
Showtimes for American Socialist:
Friday, May 11: 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 12: 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 13: 1:00 p.m.
Tuesday, May 15: 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday, May 16: 7:00 p.m.
Strom grew up in Detroit, a union town, in a progressive family, and knew Obama was in no way a socialist. He decided to dispel the myths about socialism using labor leader, and five-time socialist presidential candidate, Eugene Victor Debs as his focus.
"American Socialist: The Life and Times of Eugene Victor Debs" is Strom's ninth documentary. He is a professor and artist-in-residence at San Diego State University. And he reportedly also plays a mean violin.
His new documentary screens at the Digital Gym Cinema in North Park Friday, May 11 through Sunday, May 13 and Tuesday, May 15 through Wednesday, May 16. Strom will be in attendance for all five screenings to answer any questions the audience may have about Debs.
