The 1960 Wisconsin Democratic Primary provides the backdrop for the first major American film produced by the Drew Associates—a collective of documentary filmmakers which included D.A. Pennebaker, Richard Leacock and Albert Maysles. John F. Kennedy and Hubert Humphrey engage in some good old-fashioned “retail politics” to win every vote they can in this crucial election. The direct cinema style provides access not only to the inner workings of the respective campaigns but also to the varied mindset of the electorate.

Chisholm ’72 — Unbought & Unbossed is the first historical documentary on Brooklyn Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm and her campaign to become the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee in 1972. The film follows Chisholm from the announcement of her candidacy in January to the Democratic National Convention in Miami, Florida in July. Shunned by the political establishment, the candidate asked people of color, feminists and young voters for their support to “reshape our society and take control of our destiny as we go down the Chisholm Trail in 1972.” To the surprise of many, voters responded.