The revolution that almost was — and why America erased it from memory.
The documentary AMERICAN REDS provides a historical overview of 20th century Communism and the growth, decline and contemporary relevance of the Communist Party, USA (CPUSA). Since its founding in 1919, the CPUSA has championed the struggles for democracy, labor rights, women’s equality, and racial justice. During its heyday in the 1930s and 1940s, it attracted millions of Americans to support its causes and almost 100,000 men and women to enlist in its ranks. The film begins with the Party's emergence as a small militant sect in the 1920s and documents its rise to the foremost radical group in the United States during the Great Depression, fighting against racism, sexism and fascism, as well as for the rights of workers to organize. It ends with the decline of the Party during the Cold War under the assaults of the FBI and anti- communist crusades.
Editing
Seamless weaving of rare archival footage with survivor testimonies.
Direction
Wormser lets former party members speak without mockery or martyrdom.
Director
Richard Wormser
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Director Richard Wormser spent six years tracking down aging CPUSA members, many of whom had never spoken on camera before.
The film's 2016 release coincided with Sanders' primary surge — suddenly 'socialism' wasn't a dirty word again, making this history feel eerily cyclical.
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