I Am Somebody
Synopsis
Madeline Anderson’s documentary brings viewers to the front lines of the civil rights movement during the 1969 Charleston hospital workers’ strike, when 400 poorly paid Black women went on strike to demand union recognition and a wage increase, only to find themselves in confrontation with the National Guard and the state government. Anderson personally participated in the strike, along with such notable figures as Coretta Scott King, Ralph Abernathy and Andrew Young, all affiliated with Martin Luther King’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Anderson’s film shows the courage and resiliency of the strikers and the support they received from the local black community. It is an essential filmed record of this important moment in the history of civil and women’s rights. The film is also notable as arguably the first televised documentary on civil rights directed by a woman of color, solidifying its place in American film history.
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Release History & Theatrical Window
January 1, 1970
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Madeline Anderson
- Original Title
- I Am Somebody
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English
- Runtime
- 30m
- Production Studios
- American Foundation on Nonviolence
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Madeline Anderson
Madeline Anderson
Moe Foner, Madeline Anderson
Department Leadership Roster
Madeline Anderson
Director
Madeline Anderson
Producer
Madeline Anderson
Editor
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for I Am Somebody.
Featured In Curated Collections
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National Film Registry
Films preserved in the Library of Congress National Film Registry.
My Film List
leftist movies
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National Film Register 2010-2023
Movies on the National Film Register, added in the years of 2010-2023
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Frequently Asked Questions About I Am Somebody
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is I Am Somebody about?
Madeline Anderson’s documentary brings viewers to the front lines of the civil rights movement during the 1969 Charleston hospital workers’ strike, when 400 poorly paid Black women went on strike to demand union recognition and a wage increase, only to find themselves in confrontation with the National Guard and the state government. Anderson personally participated in the strike, along with such notable figures as Coretta Scott King, Ralph Abernathy and Andrew Young, all affiliated with Martin Luther King’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference. Anderson’s film shows the courage and resiliency of the strikers and the support they received from the local black community. It is an essential filmed record of this important moment in the history of civil and women’s rights. The film is also notable as arguably the first televised documentary on civil rights directed by a woman of color, solidifying its place in American film history.
Who directed I Am Somebody?
I Am Somebody was directed by Madeline Anderson.
Who stars in I Am Somebody?
The principal cast of I Am Somebody includes Ralph Abernathy, Coretta Scott King, Andrew Young, Claire Brown.
When was I Am Somebody released and how long is it?
I Am Somebody was released in 1970 with a total runtime of 30m.