Medium Cool

Another hippy movie from 60's/70's America. This one is directed by Haskell Wexler, who moved onto be a prominent cinematographer for various notable directors, including Elia Kazan and George Lucas.

The film blends footage Wexler shot of the period with fictional scenes, creating a narrative. The period was notable for the student revolutions and the riots that resulted. Wexler actually wrote the riot scenes into the script before they'd even occurred, trusting that the riots would occur and making sure he was there to film them. The plot focuses on a journalist who ends up being censored by his employers, because of his liberal connections. As well as being a valuable snapshot of the period, the film also works as an analysis of the filmmaking process and the moral dilemmas filmmakers face. Often the filmmakers are drawn onto screen.

Being Wexler's personal project it's no surprise that it's well shot with vivid colours. Among it's high points is the cinematography.