20-05-2025
Chicago-born filmmaker explores politics of race
A new documentary by Chicago native Andrew Goldberg examines how racial tropes have been used by politicians and media outlets to shape public opinion and advance political agendas for decades.
Why it matters: "White With Fear," which makes its Chicago debut Wednesday night at the Landmark Century Cinemas, details how we got to where we are today, long after predictions of a post-racial society.
What they're saying: "We wanted to show Americans that so much of how race is addressed in this country is actually the result of cynical manipulation by politicians and many in the media," the Emmy-winning journalist tells Axios.
Zoom in: Interviewees run the gamut from President Trump adviser Steve Bannon and comedian Aasif Mandvi to Hillary Clinton and "The Bulwark" podcast host Tim Miller, putting viewers in the room where strategy discussions on how to spin 9/11, the Charlottesville march and the Jan. 6 insurrection happened.
Yes, but: Production on the film stopped before the 2024 election, so don't expect any takes on issues like recent deportations.
The biggest surprise for Goldberg was "just how organized and widespread these efforts to manipulate people are."
The goal: "To bring facts and truth to a wider audience," Goldberg says. "I believe we make our best decisions as a community when our populace is well informed and armed with accurate information."
The intrigue: Goldberg is the son of the late Chicago Tribune food writer Phyllis Magida.
He recalls entertaining himself in the Tribune Tower in the late '70s while his mom worked by "eating way too many candy bars" from the first-floor store.
If you go: Tickets for the 7pm screening of "White With Fear" cost $16.25, and Goldberg will conduct a Q&A after the screening.
