Enduring Democracy: The Monterey Petition

Tuesday, September 12 at 17:15

Director: David C. Schendel

Country of origin: USA, 2021

Runtime: 63'

European Premiere

SUMMARY

Enduring Democracy: the Monterey Petition explores the motivations of the wealthy individuals who financed hate campaigns as well as the daring women who spearheaded the carefully thought-out response. Inspired by Mollie Sumida’s letter to the editor written while imprisoned in camp and impervious to threats of violence, residents banded together to get their community to sign Toni Jackson’s petition pledging The Democratic Way of Life for All. The petition drive and subsequent posting in The Monterey Herald effectively put a stop to the public efforts of several well-funded fear campaigns against California Japanese American citizens.

Director Biography

David C. Schendel was born in Springfield, Massachusetts and grew up in Minnesota. The son of Alfred Schendel, a successful designer/painter/photographer, David was introduced to the arts before he could walk. David began his career at age 12 with his first film, "Don't Show Mom This One!" A graduate of the University of Washington School of Drama, he started with live-theatre directing before dedicating his talents to filmmaking. "The Can," David’s first feature-length film premiered at the famous Coolidge Corner Theatre in Boston and became an underground film sensation. His award-winning documentary about classic cars in Cuba, "Yank Tanks" was shown at film festivals around the world, screened on PBS and was opening night film at the prestigious NY MoMA Documentary Fortnite. Most recently David’s film, "The Comedy Club," won a Jury Award for Best Documentary at Cinema at the Edge in Los Angeles. Currently he is finishing a new project, "Enduring Democracy" and in production on a new feature “Painting at the Edge.” His apprenticeship with his dad, studies in behavioral science and passion for classical theatre continue to infuse his work with an emphasis on humor and a concern for the future of planet Earth.

ISTRA FILM predstavlja HISTORY FILM FESTIVAL

Izvršna direktorica TIHA MODRIĆ

Producenti TIHA MODRIĆ & DEJAN BOJC

Video produkcija ROBERT KALČIĆ & IGOR MODRIĆ

Dizajner ROBERT KRANČIĆ

Fotografije RINO GROPUZZO

Grafičko i web oblikovanje GRAFIK, Rijeka