Via Zoom: Steve James’ ‘A Compassionate Spy’ Opens the 58th Chicago International Film Fest

Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 11, 2022 - 7:13am

CHICAGO – The 58th Chicago International Film Festival (CIFF) is here, and opens Wednesday, October 12th, 2022, at Chicago’s historic Music Box Theatre with “A Compassionate Spy,” from master documentary maker Steve James (“Hoop Dreams”).

Besides the screening of “A Compassionate Spy,” Opening Night includes a Block Party, click CIFF OPENING for details.

A tale of espionage, romance, and profound moral questions, “A Compassionate Spy” follows the remarkable story of Theodore Hall, a University of Chicago graduate who at age 19 was recruited to work on the Manhattan Project, the project that built the first atomic bomb in the 1940s. But soon after he joined the group, he passed crucial military secrets to Soviet intelligence. The story was reported in the 1997 book “Bombshell,” but has since been forgotten. Hall’s widow Joan is the main interview subject, and her memories are history, providing insight to love, intrigue, and the lengths to which some people will go to try to save the world.

‘A Compassionate Spy’ Opens the 58th CIFF
Photo credit: ChicagoFilmFestival.com

Steve James needs no introduction in Chicago cinema or documentary circles. His seminal film “Hoop Dreams” (1994) ushered in a modern sensibility for the doc art form, and remains one of the most lauded reality films ever rendered. But he didn’t stop there, he has released ten full length documentaries since that breakthrough film, several documentary shorts and TV doc miniseries, including the incredible document of Chicago’s last mayoral election called “City So Real.” For his 2016 film “Abacus: Small Enough to Jail,” he was nominated for Best Documentary.

In an interview via Zoom with Steve James of “A Compassionate Spy” by Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, the director talks about his initial interest in the story and the legacy of Ted & Joan Hall …

Opening Night for the 58th Chicago International Film Festival is Wednesday, October 12th, 2022, with “A Compassionate Spy” at the Music Box Theatre, 3733 North Southport Avenue, Chicago. An Opening Night Block Party takes place from 5pm-10-pm in front of theatre. The 58th CIFF takes place from October 12th through the 23rd, 2022. Click ChicagoFilmFestival.com for tickets, schedules and details.