Directed by
Friedman, Sonya
Written by
Friedman, Sonya
Produced by
Wetmore, Pat
Distributed by
Indiana University Audio-Visual Center, American
Subject of
Cotter, Bob, American
Allen, Anthony, American
Thomas, Derrick, American
Patterson, John
Owned by
D.C. Public Library, American, founded 1896
Date
1985
Medium
polyester film
Dimensions
Duration: 27 Minutes
Length (Film): 950 Feet
Caption
This film was a part of the Washington D.C. Public Library's circulating 16mm film collection housed at the Martin Luther King Jr. Central Library. The collection is particularly noted for the wide variety of African American and African diaspora content.
Description
A documentary film with the title The Masters of Disaster. It consists of a single reel of color 16mm polyester film with optical sound.
The film profiles an Indiana elementary school chess team that calls themselves The Masters of Disaster. In the opening scene, elementary school teacher and chess coach Bob Cotter is seen practicing with the team while criticizing one of the boys, Thomas, for prioritizing basketball over chess; Cotter also motivates the young men in his monologue. In one scene, some of the boys tell an interviewer what they would say to President Reagan in the event that they met him, and in the subsequent scene they are seen with President Reagan in the Oval Office. Additionally, several of the boys' parents describe the impact chess has had on them. Towards the end of the documentary, one of the boys, Rabbit, defeats the mayor of the city in front of a packed auditorium.
Place used
Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America
Place filmed
Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana, United States, North and Central America
Collection title
DC Public Library Film Collection
Classification
Time-based Media - Moving Images
Type
sound films
color films (visual works)
short subjects
16mm (photographic film size)
Topic
Documentary films
Education
Film
Youth
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2017.55.88.1a
Restrictions & Rights
Restrictions likely apply. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd58795eee4-6c62-4997-a6f9-b34fb14b7f60

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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