Evidence of the Evidence

Forum Expanded 2018

The 1971 Attica prison uprising is a signature moment of radical resistance in the American Civil Rights movement. The subsequent retaking of the prison, however, is an open wound and “the bloodiest one-day encounter between Americans since the Civil War,” according to the findings of the investigating New York State Special Commission.
Evidence of the Evidence explores this tortured history through a granular interrogation of its archival materials. Utilizing never before seen video recordings shot by a police trooper during the four-day uprising, the film offers a visceral ground level account of the events at Attica. It also chronicles the concurrent mediation and narrativization of these events. Through a “close reading” of the footage, and merging agit-prop and media criticism, the film reflects on the myriad roles that moving images play in the production of history and memory, its creation and its destruction.

by Alexander Johnston USA 2017 English 22’ Colour & Black/White Documentary form

Crew

Written and Directed by	Alexander Johnston
Editing	Alexander Johnston
Sound Design	Alexander Johnston
Sound	Alexander Johnston
Production Design	Alexander Johnston
Producer	Alexander Johnston

Produced by

Rifle Baby Productions

Photos

Alexander Johnston

Alex Johnston is a media maker, activist, scholar, and curator based in Santa Cruz, California. His films and GIF cycles have screened at a wide variety of cinemas and festivals. He is also the managing editor of the online media journal “NOW! A Journal of Urgent Praxis”.

Filmography

2008 Learning to Bend Steel 2010 Way Down in the Hole 2011 A Petition in Boots 2014 NOW! AGAIN! 2015 A Costly Lesson 2017 Evidence of the Evidence

Bio- & filmography as of Berlinale 2018