Gerald Temaner

Thumbs Down

Gordon Quinn, Gerald Temaner

In this cinema-verite documentary, a teenage youth group called Thumbs Down decides "to bring Christ to their neighborhood" by holding an anti-war Mass at their conservative Chicago parish. Neither militants nor hippies, they simply believe that Christianity means social action and concern with issues. They present this belief to the community and the confrontation reveals the deepening crisis of communication between the young Christians and their parents, priest, and neighbors.

Inquiring Nuns

Gordon Quinn, Gerald Temaner

Stepin Fetchit

Two nuns travel across Chicago asking people the question, "Are you happy?"

Hum 255

Anthony Thomas, Jerry Blumenthal

In 1968, striking students at the University of Chicago occupied an administration building. A year later, two expelled young women were asked by their former classmates to talk about the experience as a class project. The women confront the students about their convictions and how far they are willing to go to defend their values.

Parents

Gordon Quinn, Gerald Temaner

A parish youth group in a lower middle-class Chicago neighborhood discusses parental authority, what growing up means and the difficulties of communicating with their parents.

Marco

Gordon Quinn, Gerald Temaner

Barbara Temaner

Disbelief, shock, hostility and superstition confronted the wife of one of the filmmakers when she decided to give birth without pain medication using the Lamaze method of childbirth. Her tale is about trusting oneself and accepting responsibility even when it means rejecting popular beliefs and establishment authority.