Red Carpet: Reverend Al Sharpton at 58th Chicago Intl. Film Fest

Submitted by PatrickMcD on October 24, 2022 - 8:30pm

CHICAGO – The Reverend Al Sharpton has been a “Loudmouth” … as the new documentary on his life and work is called … virtually all his life. His outspoken activism began a year after Dr. King was killed, when Sharpton became Youth Director of Operation Breadbasket at age 15, and continues to today, especially around the killing of George Floyd. Rev. Al Sharpton appeared on the Red Carpet at the 58th Chicago International Film Festival.

Sharpton appeared at the 58th Chicago International Film Fest on behalf of “Loudmouth” – directed by Josh Alexander – which cuts through the clichés and assumptions surrounding the track-suit-wearing crusader to investigate the roots of his political engagement and his transformation into a media-savvy activist. Playing into the tabloid journalism of the Jerry Springers and Phil Donahues of his heyday, Sharpton effectively raised awareness about the systemic injustice, racism, and white supremacy that has persisted in America. As he once famously declared, “Critics would say that all Al Sharpton wants is publicity. Well, that’s exactly what I want.”

Rev. Al Sharpton of ‘Loudmouth’
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

Born in Brooklyn, Rev. Al gave his first sermon at age four, touring with famous gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. Three years after Operation Breadbasket, he worked as Youth Director for the presidential campaign of Shirley Chisholm. From 1973 to 1980, he served as tour manager for the Godfather of Soul, James Brown. He first came into prominence as a civil rights leader in the Bernard Goetz (1984 subway shooting) and Howard Beach (1986 racial assault) incidents.

Sharpton founded the National Action Network in 1991, a voter’s rights organization, that became the base for his continuing activism. After a stint on the radio in 2006 with “Keepin’ It Real with Al Sharpton,” he was named host of MSNBC’s “PoliticsNation” in 2011, and has been with the news network ever since. He gave a stirring eulogy for George Floyd in 2020.

Director Josh Alexander of ‘Loudmouth’
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

Patrick McDonald interviews Rev. Al Sharpton October 17th 2022, on the Red Carpet at the 58th CIFF for “Loudmouth” …

The 58th Chicago International Film Festival concluded October 23rd, 2022. Click ChicagoFilmFestival.com for highlights, award winners and information about Cinema/Chicago.