In this cinema-verite documentary, a teenage youth group called Thumbs Down, decides "to bring Christ to their neighborhood" by holding an anti-war Mass at their conservative Chicago parish. Neither militants nor hippies, they simply believe that Christianity means social action and concern with issues. They present this belief to the community and the confrontation reveals the deepening crisis of communication between the young Christians and their parents, priest, and neighbors.
102 minutes
First Kartemquin Retrospective event Thursday October 27th
October 20, 2005
The kick-off event of the Kartemquin Retrospective at the University of Chicago is Thursday, October 27th at 7pm at the Film Studies Center at 5811 S. Ellis. The evening entitled "Violence & Power" will include screenings of Thumbs Down, Hum 255, Trick Bag and The New Americans as well as a discussion with the filmmakers following the film excerpts.
Other events for the Retrospective will take place throughout November. For more information visit here.
Study Guide (PDF)
- Executive Producers
- Vaile Scott
- Louis Marrone
- Producers
- Gerald Temaner
- Gordon Quinn
- Directors
- Gerald Temaner
- Gordon Quinn
“Thumbs Down offers a great deal of understanding about the nature of a neighborhood that is often talked about in the most oversimplified way… Temaner and Quinn are filmmakers and ‘inquiring reporters’ with great insight, and they have a lot to tell us about ourselves.”
—-Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times