The Dining Car on the Moving Train
A brief film exploring the compassionate side of Historian/Activist Howard Zinn. Features interview footage with civil rights lawyer Oscar Chase from “Howard Zinn: You Can’t be Neutral on a Moving Train” Directed my Deb Ellis and Denis Muller.
Transcript of the full interview with Oscar Chase
–Chris Cocchi
This film explores the compassionate side of Howard Zinn, the noted historian and political activist. Using clips from the documentary “Howard Zinn: You Can’t Be Neutral on a Moving Train” (Directed by Deb Ellis and Denis Mueller), this film explores Zinn’s empathy, compassion, and sense of humor in different areas and roles in his life. This includes as a teacher, as a bridge to connect people, and as a member of a family. These reflections come primarily from an interview with civil rights lawyer Oscar Chase, whose comments about Zinn’s sense of humor and understanding were not included the final cut of the film.
This project is an important contribution to the original documentary using the raw footage of the movie, much of which was left on the cutting room floor. Not only does this cover an area that the filmmakers wished to, but also allows for a personal perspective on the subject matter, one that makes Zinn not just an activist who speaks in sound bites and in the stories of others, but rather an individual.
The Dining Car on the Moving Train
JA brief film exploring the compassionate side of Historian/Activist Howard Zinn. Features interview footage with civil rights lawyer Oscar Chase.
