NDFS to Partner on Special Screening of ‘The Murder of Fred Hampton’

BY SCOTTIE KNOLLIN

As part of the 5th North Dakota Human Rights Film Festival, the North Dakota Film Society is partnering with the festival for a special screening of the 1971 film “The Murder of Fred Hampton” at The Fargo Theatre on Tuesday, November 2, at 1:30 p.m.

The documentary from filmmaker Howard Alk shines a light on the short life and tragic death of Fred Hampton, a young African-American civil rights activist in Chicago and the leader of the Illinois Black Panther Party. During the film’s production, Hampton was fatally shot during a pre-dawn raid at his apartment by the Chicago Police Department. The raid was later revealed to have been organized in cooperation with the FBI. The film features incredible footage of the crime scene while the apartment was still unsecured. The footage was also used to challenge news reports and police testimony about the events.

The film was initially released in Chicago in May 1971 to lackluster attention. Over time, the film has become a beacon of investigative journalism and documentary filmmaking, especially with regards to citizen journalists. Many reviewers of the time and even now reference the film’s immersive experience as its best asset.

For tickets to the event, click here.

Thanks to festival sponsors, this special screening is being presented for FREE and is open to the public.