Episode 57

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Published on:

25th Sep 2025

Hard Hat Riot - Director Marc Levin & Author David Paul Kuhn

Hard Hat Riot revisits the explosive 1970 clash between anti-war student protestors and construction workers in New York City. It was a cultural event that reshaped the American political landscape. The film explores deep-rooted class tensions between working-class laborers and educated elites, the shifting role of labor unions, and proposes that history is repeating itself. By drawing clear parallels between past and present, Hard Hat Riot sparks urgent conversations about identity, division, and the enduring fault lines in American society. Hard Hat Riot director Marc Levin’s and The Hard Hat Riot author and co-producer David Paul Kuhn join us for a conversation  about the political, social, economic and cultural forces that brought the so-called working class into the streets and later the ballot box, in reaction to the turmoil of the anti-Vietnam War demonstrations in 1970 and how that roiling anger continues to manifest itself to this day.  

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About the Podcast

Cinemafile
Cinemafile showcases the very best in independent, documentary and foreign films through our conversations with the more than 2,000 filmmakers who made them. Through Cinemafile we will do our best to bring the most interesting and accomplished filmmakers from around the world to your attention.

About your host

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Michael Kaspar

Mike Kaspar is a life-long film fan who has worked as a projectionist at an art house theatre, college radio station general manager as well as a radio show host and producer for over 18 years.