Kartemquin Films
Encyclopedia
Kartemquin Films is a not-for-profit organization that was founded in 1966 by Gordon Quinn
, Jerry Temaner and Stan Karter, three University of Chicago
graduates who wanted to make documentary films guided by their principle of "Cinematic Social Inquiry." They were soon joined by Jerry Blumenthal who along with Gordon Quinn remains with the organization today.
Kartemquin's first film in 1966, Home For Life
-- a chronicle of two elderly people entering a home for the aged -- established the direction the organization would take over the next four decades. Kartemquin evolved into a film collective producing films such as The Chicago Maternity Center Story and the Taylor Chain
films. They continued releasing social-issue documentaries (The Last Pullman Car, Golub) largely for public television and the educational market into the 1990s.
Kartemquin's best known film, Hoop Dreams
, won several major critics prizes and journalism awards in 1995 and was named on over 150 “ten best” lists. Filmmakers Steve James
, Peter Gilbert and Fred Marx examined the complex role basketball
plays in the lives of two inner-city high school players. After receiving the Audience Award
at the Sundance Film Festival
, Hoop Dreams was released theatrically by Fine Line Features
and became the highest grossing documentary at that time and one of highest-rated documentaries broadcast on PBS.
Since Hoop Dreams, Kartemquin has continued producing films that examine and critique society by following the stories of real people. At the Death House Door
recently premiered at SXSW, and went on to win awards at Full Frame and other festivals. Their recent documentary, Terra Incognita: Mapping Stem Cell Research"
, follows Dr. Jack Kessler of Northwestern University in his search for a cure for spinal cord injuries using embryonic stem cells. Other recent documentaries have included: The New Americans
, a seven-hour miniseries for PBS that follows immigrant families from five different countries; Stevie
; Refrigerator Mothers
; 5 Girls
; and Vietnam, Long Time Coming
. In 2007, Kartemquin Films received the MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions. The group is located in Chicago, Illinois and is still run by Gordon Quinn. In late 2008 he transitioned to Artistic Director, and Justine Nagan was named Executive Director. Justine directed Typeface
in 2009.
Kartemquin's current projects include "A Good Man,"
which examines Bill T. Jones' Ravinia Festival interpretive dance piece inspired by Abraham Lincoln and interrogates the myths surrounding political heroes in general; "The Interrupters,"
which tells the story of a group of men and women in Chicago--most of them former gang leaders--who now work for CeaseFire
, an organization that interrupts shootings and crimes in Chicago; and "On Beauty," which follows former fashion photographer Rick Guidotti, who after 15 years of working for clients such as Yves Saint Laurent, Elle, and Harpers Bazaar, grew tired of seeing the same ideal of beauty and who now works towards redefining the standards.
Gordon Quinn
Gordon Quinn is Artistic Director and founding member of Kartemquin Films, a 2007 recipient of the MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions. Gordon Quinn has been making documentaries for over 45 years and has produced or directed over 30 films. His recent directing credits...
, Jerry Temaner and Stan Karter, three University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
graduates who wanted to make documentary films guided by their principle of "Cinematic Social Inquiry." They were soon joined by Jerry Blumenthal who along with Gordon Quinn remains with the organization today.
Kartemquin's first film in 1966, Home For Life
Home For Life
Home for Life, the founding documentary of Kartemquin Films released in 1967, depicts the experiences of two elderly people in their first month at a home for the aged. One is a woman whose struggle to remain useful in her son and daughter-in-law's home is no longer appreciated. The other is a...
-- a chronicle of two elderly people entering a home for the aged -- established the direction the organization would take over the next four decades. Kartemquin evolved into a film collective producing films such as The Chicago Maternity Center Story and the Taylor Chain
Taylor Chain
Taylor Chain I & II are a pair of documentary films, produced by Kartemquin FIlms, that first examine a seven-week workers' strike at a Hammond, Indiana chain manufacturing plant and then follow the collective bargaining process of the same plant one decade later...
films. They continued releasing social-issue documentaries (The Last Pullman Car, Golub) largely for public television and the educational market into the 1990s.
Kartemquin's best known film, Hoop Dreams
Hoop Dreams
Hoop Dreams is a 1994 documentary film directed by Steve James, with Kartemquin Films. It follows the story of two African-American high school students in Chicago and their dream of becoming professional basketball players....
, won several major critics prizes and journalism awards in 1995 and was named on over 150 “ten best” lists. Filmmakers Steve James
Steve James (producer)
Steve James is an American film producer and director of several documentaries, including the award-winning Hoop Dreams and Stevie. He is also the director of the 1997 feature film Prefontaine...
, Peter Gilbert and Fred Marx examined the complex role basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
plays in the lives of two inner-city high school players. After receiving the Audience Award
Audience award
An audience award is typically an award at a film festival which is selected by the audience attending the festival, rather than by the festival jury or a group of critics.- Examples :...
at the Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
, Hoop Dreams was released theatrically by Fine Line Features
Fine Line Features
Fine Line Features was the speciality films division of New Line Cinema. It produced, purchased, distributed and marketed films of a more "indie" flavor than its parent company...
and became the highest grossing documentary at that time and one of highest-rated documentaries broadcast on PBS.
Since Hoop Dreams, Kartemquin has continued producing films that examine and critique society by following the stories of real people. At the Death House Door
At the Death House Door
At the Death House Door is a 2008 documentary film about Carroll Pickett, who served as the death house chaplain to the infamous "Walls" prison unit in Huntsville, Texas. It was produced and directed by the team of Steve James and Peter Gilbert...
recently premiered at SXSW, and went on to win awards at Full Frame and other festivals. Their recent documentary, Terra Incognita: Mapping Stem Cell Research"
Mapping Stem Cell Research: Terra Incognita
Terra Incognita: The Perils and Promise of Stem Cell Research, also known as Terra Incognita: Mapping Stem Cell Research, is a documentary film released by Kartemquin Films in 2007. The film follows Dr. Jack Kessler of Northwestern University in his search for a cure for spinal cord injuries using...
, follows Dr. Jack Kessler of Northwestern University in his search for a cure for spinal cord injuries using embryonic stem cells. Other recent documentaries have included: The New Americans
The New Americans
The New Americans is a seven-hour American documentary, produced by Kartemquin Films, that was originally broadcast on American television over three nights on the Public Broadcasting Service in late March 2004....
, a seven-hour miniseries for PBS that follows immigrant families from five different countries; Stevie
Stevie
Stevie is a 2002 film by documentarian Steve James, and Kartemquin Films. In 1995, James returned to Pomona, a rural town in Southern Illinois, USA. After 10 years with no contact he attempts to reconnect with Stevie Fielding, a troubled young boy to whom he had been an 'Advocate Big Brother'....
; Refrigerator Mothers
Refrigerator Mothers
Refrigerator Mothers is a documentary released in 2003 by Kartemquin Films for PBS's P.O.V. series. The film paints an intimate portrait of an entire generation of American mothers whose children were diagnosed with autism...
; 5 Girls
5 Girls
5 Girls is a documentary released in 2001 by Kartemquin Films for PBS's P.O.V. series. The film follows five strong young women between the ages of 13 and 17...
; and Vietnam, Long Time Coming
Vietnam, Long Time Coming
Vietnam, Long Time Coming is a documentary released in 1998 by Kartemquin Films. The film follows a 16-day, 1100 mile bicycle expedition through once war-torn Northern and Southern Vietnam that was organized by World T.E.A.M. Sports. The event drew an array of veterans from the U.S. and Vietnam,...
. In 2007, Kartemquin Films received the MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions. The group is located in Chicago, Illinois and is still run by Gordon Quinn. In late 2008 he transitioned to Artistic Director, and Justine Nagan was named Executive Director. Justine directed Typeface
Typeface (film)
Typeface is an independent documentary film, produced by Kartemquin Films, about visual culture, technology and graphic design, centered around the Hamilton Wood Type and Printing Museum in Two Rivers, Wisconsin...
in 2009.
Kartemquin's current projects include "A Good Man,"
A Good Man (film)
A Good Man is an upcoming documentary film about Tony Award-winning dance choreographer, Bill T. Jones, and his efforts to create the dance-theatre piece, "Fondly Do We Hope...Fervently Do We Pray", a salute to Abraham Lincoln for Chicago's Ravinia Festival...
which examines Bill T. Jones' Ravinia Festival interpretive dance piece inspired by Abraham Lincoln and interrogates the myths surrounding political heroes in general; "The Interrupters,"
The Interrupters
The Interrupters is a 2011 documentary film, produced by Kartemquin Films, that tells the story of three violence interrupters who try to protect their Chicago communities from the violence they once employed...
which tells the story of a group of men and women in Chicago--most of them former gang leaders--who now work for CeaseFire
CeaseFire (organization)
CeaseFire is an anti-violence program and initiative of the Chicago Project for Violence Prevention aimed at reducing street violence by using outreach workers to interrupt potentially violent situations. These violence interrupters work on the street, mediating conflicts between gangs and...
, an organization that interrupts shootings and crimes in Chicago; and "On Beauty," which follows former fashion photographer Rick Guidotti, who after 15 years of working for clients such as Yves Saint Laurent, Elle, and Harpers Bazaar, grew tired of seeing the same ideal of beauty and who now works towards redefining the standards.
Filmography
- A Good ManA Good Man (film)A Good Man is an upcoming documentary film about Tony Award-winning dance choreographer, Bill T. Jones, and his efforts to create the dance-theatre piece, "Fondly Do We Hope...Fervently Do We Pray", a salute to Abraham Lincoln for Chicago's Ravinia Festival...
(2011) - The InterruptersThe InterruptersThe Interrupters is a 2011 documentary film, produced by Kartemquin Films, that tells the story of three violence interrupters who try to protect their Chicago communities from the violence they once employed...
(2011) - No Crossover: The Trial of Allen IversonNo Crossover: The Trial of Allen IversonNo Crossover: The Trial of Allen Iverson is a 2010 documentary film produced by Kartemquin Films for ESPN's 30 for 30 series and directed by Steve James...
(2010) - Prisoner of Her PastPrisoner of Her PastPrisoner of Her Past is a 2010 documentary film, produced by Kartemquin Films, that follows the journey of Chicago Tribune music critic Howard Reich as he travels to Europe to discover why his elderly mother, Sonia Reich, believes people are trying to kill her.Inspired by conversations with young...
(2010) - Sacred Transformations (2010)
- TypefaceTypeface (film)Typeface is an independent documentary film, produced by Kartemquin Films, about visual culture, technology and graphic design, centered around the Hamilton Wood Type and Printing Museum in Two Rivers, Wisconsin...
(2009) - In The FamilyIn the FamilyIn the Family is a 2008 documentary film, produced by Kartemquin Films, about predicting breast and ovarian cancer and the choices women make when they are faced with the dangers of a possible life-threatening disease. The film's director, Joanna Rudnick, tests positive for the familial BRCA...
(2008) - ''Milking the RhinoMilking the RhinoMilking the Rhino is a 2009 documentary film, produced by Kartemquin Films, that examines the relationship between the indigenous African wildlife, the villagers who live amongst this wildlife and conservationists who look to keep tourism dollars coming in. Both the Maasai of Kenya and the Himba...
(2008) - ''At The Death House DoorAt the Death House DoorAt the Death House Door is a 2008 documentary film about Carroll Pickett, who served as the death house chaplain to the infamous "Walls" prison unit in Huntsville, Texas. It was produced and directed by the team of Steve James and Peter Gilbert...
(2008) - ''Terra IncognitaMapping Stem Cell Research: Terra IncognitaTerra Incognita: The Perils and Promise of Stem Cell Research, also known as Terra Incognita: Mapping Stem Cell Research, is a documentary film released by Kartemquin Films in 2007. The film follows Dr. Jack Kessler of Northwestern University in his search for a cure for spinal cord injuries using...
(2007) - ''Golub: Late Works Are the CatastrophesGolub (film)Golub is a 1988 documentary film, produced by Kartemquin Films, that examines the life and work of controversial painter, Leon Golub. Inspired by war, political oppression and the fight for Free Speech, Golub and his paintings are famous for their depictions of extreme violence. Also featured...
(2004) - The New AmericansThe New AmericansThe New Americans is a seven-hour American documentary, produced by Kartemquin Films, that was originally broadcast on American television over three nights on the Public Broadcasting Service in late March 2004....
(2004) PBSPublic Broadcasting ServiceThe Public Broadcasting Service is an American non-profit public broadcasting television network with 354 member TV stations in the United States which hold collective ownership. Its headquarters is in Arlington, Virginia.... - Stevie (2003)
- ''Refrigerator Mothers'' (2003)
- 5 Girls5 Girls5 Girls is a documentary released in 2001 by Kartemquin Films for PBS's P.O.V. series. The film follows five strong young women between the ages of 13 and 17...
(2001) - Vietnam, Long Time ComingVietnam, Long Time ComingVietnam, Long Time Coming is a documentary released in 1998 by Kartemquin Films. The film follows a 16-day, 1100 mile bicycle expedition through once war-torn Northern and Southern Vietnam that was organized by World T.E.A.M. Sports. The event drew an array of veterans from the U.S. and Vietnam,...
(1998) - Chicago Crossings: Bridges and Boundaries (1994)
- Hoop DreamsHoop DreamsHoop Dreams is a 1994 documentary film directed by Steve James, with Kartemquin Films. It follows the story of two African-American high school students in Chicago and their dream of becoming professional basketball players....
(1994) - Higher Goals (1992)
- Grassroots Chicago (1991)
- ''GolubGolub (film)Golub is a 1988 documentary film, produced by Kartemquin Films, that examines the life and work of controversial painter, Leon Golub. Inspired by war, political oppression and the fight for Free Speech, Golub and his paintings are famous for their depictions of extreme violence. Also featured...
(1988) - Women's Voices: The Gender Gap (1984)
- ''Taylor Chain: A Story of Collective BargainingTaylor ChainTaylor Chain I & II are a pair of documentary films, produced by Kartemquin FIlms, that first examine a seven-week workers' strike at a Hammond, Indiana chain manufacturing plant and then follow the collective bargaining process of the same plant one decade later...
(1984) - The Last Pullman Car (1983)
- Taylor Chain I: A Story in a Local UnionTaylor ChainTaylor Chain I & II are a pair of documentary films, produced by Kartemquin FIlms, that first examine a seven-week workers' strike at a Hammond, Indiana chain manufacturing plant and then follow the collective bargaining process of the same plant one decade later...
(1980) - The Chicago Maternity Center Story (1976)
- What's Happening at Local 70? (1975)
- Where's I.W. Abel? (1975)
- HSA Hospital Strike '75 (1975)
- UE/Wells 1975
- Now We Live on Clifton (1974)
- Trick Bag (1974)
- Viva la Causa (1974)
- Winnie Wright, Age 11 (1974)
- Sports-Action Pro-Files (1972)
- Hum 255 (1970)
- Marco (1970)
- What the Fuck Are These Red Squares? (1970)
- Anonymous Artists of America (1970)
- Parents (1968)
- Inquiring NunsInquiring NunsInquiring Nuns is 1968 Kartemquin Films production directed by Gordon Quinn and Gerald Temaner. In the film, two young nuns visit a variety of locales in the city of Chicago, asking people the question, "Are you happy?" They meet a variety of individuals ranging from hippie musicians to...
(1968) - Thumbs Down (1968)
- Home For LifeHome For LifeHome for Life, the founding documentary of Kartemquin Films released in 1967, depicts the experiences of two elderly people in their first month at a home for the aged. One is a woman whose struggle to remain useful in her son and daughter-in-law's home is no longer appreciated. The other is a...
(1966)