OUTRAGE: Movies and the Culture Wars, 1987–1996

Nov 15—Nov 21, 2024

Programmed by Paul Dallas

Decades before cancel culture and trigger warnings, the battle over who can say what in public exploded in the media during the late 80s and 90s. As the AIDS crisis raged, American conservatives targeted provocative artists and stoked moral outrage in an effort to end federal arts funding and erode public trust in liberal institutions. This backlash against civil rights and free speech became known as the Culture Wars. But some artists and filmmakers fought back against this censorship with work centering identity, exploring taboo subjects, and deploying graphic imagery. In this diverse series, we’re exploring the early battles of the Culture Wars via fearless creations by Gregg Araki, Harmony Korine, Todd Haynes, and even Martin Scorsese, alongside lesser-known features, documentaries, and shorts.

 

Leadership support for
BAM’s strategic initiatives provided by:

Mellon Foundation

Leadership support for
BAM Access Programs provided by
the Jerome L. Greene Foundation

JL Greene

Leadership support for
BAM programming provided by:

Howard Gilman

Leadership support for
BAM’s strategic initiatives provided by:

Altman Foundation

Leadership support for
BAM Film provided by
The Thompson Family Foundation

Major support for programs in
the Lepercq Cinema is provided by
The Lepercq Charitable Foundation