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Boom - The Sound of Eviction

By turns humorous and scathing "Boom" delves into the ironies and contradictions of the "New Economy" and delivers a potent social critique that is ambitious in its scope, while remaining close to the human scale. The viewer moves easily between dot-com party crashing at one end of the economic spectrum and painful moments with families forced out of their homes at the other. "Boom" features interviews with dot-com workers, real estate developers, and Mayor Willie Brown, as well as those who challenged the new economic order through community organizing, electoral politics, and direct action. Dramatic footage of communities in conflict brings you out into the streets while experts and community members themselves offer analysis of the social and historic forces which have shaped the current political landscape. In addition to doggedly pursuing the daily drama of San Francisco gentrification and resistance, the filmmakers have amassed an enormous amount of material from which to fashion their motion picture. "Boom" draws on 60's-era tourist movies, 50's educational films and other archival materials as well as a rainbow of slice-of-life images that paint a detailed portrait of San Francisco's lightning transformation from funky western outpost to high-tech haven. "Boom - The Sound of Eviction" (96 minutes) is the Co-Directors' first feature-length documentary. Made on a miniscule budget by a volunteer crew, "Boom" was created with the support of many community members who donated their work to this effort, including photographers, musicians, performance artists, film archivists, and other filmmakers whose work is featured in the documentary. Music by Amaldecor, Antibalas, Aztlan Underground, Coldcut, Fugazi, Japonize Elephants, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Mushroom, and Tortoise, as well as original sound design by Alex Theory. 2001. USA. 96'. Directed by Francine Cavanaugh

May 15, 2009