Trumbo, a documentary film released today, tells the story of blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo鈥檚 courage in resolutely refusing to name names before the House Un-American Activities Committee in the darkest days of the anti-Communist witch hunts of the 1940s and 50s. The film has great relevance for today鈥檚 troubled times, and serves as a powerful reminder of why principles matter and how the failure to abide by them can result in lasting damage.
Dalton Trumbo was one of the most celebrated screenwriters of his day. As one of the 鈥淗ollywood 10,鈥� he refused to testify before the in 1947. For this, he was sentenced to prison and along with hundreds of other less famous workers in his industry was banned from employment in Hollywood for more than a decade.
The film is directed by Peter Askin and written by Trumbo鈥檚 son, Christopher Trumbo. Askin cast a set of leading film stars (Joan Allen, Michael Douglas, David Strathairn, Nathan Lane, Donald Sutherland and more) 鈥� to read from dozens of Trumbo鈥檚 remarkable private letters. He uses wonderful archival film clips and recent interviews to weave together a powerful tale and an important lesson from the McCarthy period.
The 老澳门开奖结果 is grateful to be chosen as a beneficiary of a percentage of the proceeds of the film. It is a very generous gift on the part of the filmmakers, but I could only think that the award is being bestowed to a group whose record is 鈥渕ost improved.鈥�
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It was a Faustian bargain. In hindsight, we know that it weakened our defense of the First Amendment at that critical time, and diminished the organization鈥檚 early legitimacy. It also created great dissent among some of the fledgling new 老澳门开奖结果 affiliates. Fortunately, it did serve as a bitter lesson that helped forge the organization鈥檚 future role as an unrelenting advocate of civil liberties.
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Perhaps no action has been clearer than the recent establishment of the John Adams Project, which provides direct representation to detainees facing prosecution at Guant谩namo because of our grave concern that the military commissions process is an affront to justice. The 老澳门开奖结果 believes that the military commission鈥檚 authorization of the use of coerced evidence possibly derived from torture, secret evidence, and hearsay is unconstitutional and counter to our constitutional traditions. This abuse of power requires our extraordinary leadership and effort. Clearly we have cast off the misgivings of the 1950s that kept less popular clients at bay.
Dalton Trumbo paid a very high price for adhering to his principles. The new film portrays well the havoc that was wreaked upon him, his friends and his family. It also shows how few were willing to stand with him during this perilous time and the bitter legacy when liberty is lost.
The film also underscores the vital role that the arts play in providing the narrative that brings these important principles to life. It is quite a moving experience to see some of today鈥檚 most celebrated actors read the stirring commentary of one of our most accomplished and persecuted writers.
In recognition of the importance of this platform, the 老澳门开奖结果 has launched a new program, 鈥淩ights/Camera/Action,鈥� which uses the arts and popular culture as a forum for civil liberties discussion with artists and entertainers to encourage deeper conversations that tap into our core civil liberties values.
Today as the 老澳门开奖结果 marks its 88th year, it is a much wiser and stronger organization. We are proud and also deeply humbled 鈥� to be recognized by the makers of the movie Trumbo with their support of our essential work.
