The last few months of the year 1980. Americans were about to choose a new President (Reagan) who would encourage a new kind of greed in society. Rich people would get richer, and poor people would get less than nothing. A quieter peaceful President (Carter) was no longer wanted, and some people thought "Armageddon" time was just around the corner.
We can see and experience this period in a wonderful new film at Theatre Kino. It is called Armageddon Time. The title should send you back to listen to the song by The Clash, the great band from London. The music soundtrack of the film is excellent: one of the boys in the story is listening to The Sugarhill Gang, the beginning of rap music.
In fact it is New York, 1980.. John Lennon is still alive, and another boy says The Beatles might get together again. There is still hope.. A father tells his son, "Life is unfair, but you have to survive". From Carter to Reagan, many things are going to change. It will still be possible for one Jewish boy to go to the Guggenheim Museum and be inspired by Kandinsky; maybe a career as an artist is something to reach for. But for the African-American boy in the film, all the doors to a bright future are closing. The dream is dying, and darkness is all around.
Armageddon Time is a quiet film, a beautiful film that stays with you. Once again, let us say "Thank you" to Theatre Kino for choosing another special film.
(screening at Theatre Kino until June 8th)