The Illinois Parables

Synopsis

From dreamy aerial opening shots, we are sent on an expedition through the storied land of our fifth most populous state, Illinois, often called a miniature version of America. Deborah Stratman’s experimental documentary explores how physical landscapes and human politics can each re-interpret historical events. Eleven parables relay histories of settlement, removal, technological breakthrough, violence, messianism, and resistance. Who gets to write history—physical monuments, official news accounts, or personal spoken-word memories?

Director

Deborah Stratman

Written by

Deborah Stratman

Music

Okkyung Lee

Studio

Pythagoras Film

Released

22 January 2016

Genres

Documentary, History