Emily and Sarah Kunstler's William Kunstler: Disturbing the Universe is a 2009 documentary about their father, the "radical lawyer" famous for defending the Chicago Seven in 1969-1970 who was found guilty of contempt of court — a conviction that was eventually overturned. Kunstler, who led a quiet life before entering the public spotlight, initially worked on house closings and defending people hurt in car accidents. But he quickly grew tired of being a traditional lawyer and joined the ACLU, taking on one controversial case after another and becoming a celebrity. In the process, Kunstler was in the middle of several major political conflicts, including the Attica Prison riots and the Wounded Knee standoff, both chronicled in the film. He also defended the Kent 25, the group of students and faculty indicted for the violence that took place on the Kent State campus on May 4, 1970. The film played earlier this year at the Cedar Lee Theatre and will screen at 8 p.m. Sunday, May 2, at the Kent Stage (175 E. Main St. 330.554.3488, kentstage.org) as part of the 40th commemoration of May 4th, sponsored by the May 4 Task Force. Emily and Sarah Kunstler will introduce their movie and answer questions. Tickets: $5.
The Lakewood Public Library's "Vintage Hitchcock" series continues at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 1, with a screening of the 1929 film Blackmail. The movie is about a Scotland Yard detective investigating a case he is personally tied to. It shows in the main auditorium (15425 Detroit Ave., 216.226.8275, lkwdpl.org). Local film scholar Tim Meehan will introduce it and explain how the director transformed it from a silent film to one with sound. Free.
Sicko, Michael Moore's incendiary documentary about the health care industry, shows at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 2, at the Workmen's Circle (1980 S. Green Rd., South Euclid). SPAN Ohio's Dave Pavlick Sr. will introduce the movie and discuss current health-care issues. Tickets are $3; RSVP to 216.381.4515 or e-mail [email protected].
Roadhouse, the 1989 Patrick Swayze movie about a badass bouncer who protects a small town from a businessman, screens at 9:30 p.m. and midnight on Saturday, May 1, at the Cedar Lee Theatre (2163 Lee Rd., 216.321.5411, clevelandcinemas.com) as part of the Cleveland Cinemas Late Shift series. Admission is $5, and the theater will offer $2.50 cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon at the concession stand.
