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Flag Wars (2003)

Flag Wars (2003)
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Socio-economic status, minority rights, and housing codes all come into dramatic conflict in co-directors Linda Goode Bryant and Laura Poitras' 2003 documentary Flag Wars. Set in a historic district in Columbus, OH, named Olde Towne East, Bryant and Poitras discover the serenity of the primarily African-American neighborhood is in jeopardy. Gay professionals are moving into the neighborhood with the intentions of buying inexpensive property, and as they improve upon their acquisitions, the new residents stand accused of using underhanded -- yet legal -- tactics in order to force the longtime residents to either refurbish their properties or move out of the district altogether. Yet the two minority groups are not as far removed from one another as it would initially appear, as certain conservative elements within the greater Columbus community seem interested in using the conflict to further their own agendas. Flag Wars was a competing film at the 2003 South by Southwest Film Festival, where it was awarded the Jury Documentary Prize. ~ Ryan Shriver, Rovi

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Director(s):
Laura PoitrasLinda Goode Bryant, (more)
Format(s):
DVD
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Synopsis of Flag Wars

Socio-economic status, minority rights, and housing codes all come into dramatic conflict in co-directors Linda Goode Bryant and Laura Poitras' 2003 documentary Flag Wars. Set in a historic district in Columbus, OH, named Olde Towne East, Bryant and Poitras discover the serenity of the primarily African-American neighborhood is in jeopardy. Gay professionals are moving into the neighborhood with the intentions of buying inexpensive property, and as they improve upon their acquisitions, the new residents stand accused of using underhanded -- yet legal -- tactics in order to force the longtime residents to either refurbish their properties or move out of the district altogether. Yet the two minority groups are not as far removed from one another as it would initially appear, as certain conservative elements within the greater Columbus community seem interested in using the conflict to further their own agendas. Flag Wars was a competing film at the 2003 South by Southwest Film Festival, where it was awarded the Jury Documentary Prize. ~ Ryan Shriver, Rovi

Theatrical Feature Running Time:
86 mins
Director(s):
Linda Goode BryantLaura Poitras
Producer(s):
Linda Goode BryantLaura Poitras
Categories:
DocumentarySpecial Interest
Flag Wars Awards:
  • 2003 - Full Frame Documentary Film Festival - Center For Documentary Studies Filmmaker Award
  • 2003 - SXSW - Best Documentary
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    Richard H.

    This documentary demonstrates that all groups are potential oppressors. In this case, fairly well-to-do gay and lesbians, who are typically the oppressed, are oppressing poor black families in a small town in Ohio through the process of gentrification. This documentary is especially educational on how gentrification in general is oppressive toward poor people, regardless of its perpetrators. This documentary is also, fortunately, filled with counter-stereotypic characters (e.g., Blacks are initially quite welcoming to the gay and lesbian community, gay and lesbians are not over-the-top "flaming" sexual images, educated black people, etc.). Unfortunately, the Christian community (as reperesented in the film by only one church) does not come off looking good here. These documentaries never seem to come across the many Christian churches out there that while they don't condone homosexuality, nevertheless, show kindness and love to gay and lesbian individuals.

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