Neil Young (USA 2008, Roadside Attractions) 96 min
Neil Young and other special guests in person

Outraged by the war in Iraq and compelled to speak out before the 2006 midterm elections, musical group Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young launched their 29-city Freedom of Speech tour. In 2008, as a pivotal presidential election looms, Neil Young presents an impassioned document of those performances and the strong reactions—both positive and negative—they inspired. Woven into the film, the fifth feature Young has directed, is an insightful commentary by former ABC Nightline correspondent and Vietnam vet Mike Cerre who was invited to embed himself in the tour as he did with a group of Marines in Iraq in order to provide an insider view of events. The film documents audience reactions to the music and how today’s politics affect the band’s relationship to their fans. Finally, CSNY Déjà Vu offers a set of memorable individual testimonies from men and women who served in Iraq, parents of soldiers and local politicians, all endeavoring to change the status quo. Young manages a daring juggling act in presenting this material alongside over 40 songs, but this is no ordinary concert film—it’s a call to activism, a potent reminder that we’ve been here before and a heartfelt plea for peace.

Tickets: $20 for year-round SFFS members; $25 General. Buy tickets here or by calling 925-866-9559.

July 17, 7:30 pm, Sundance Kabuki Cinemas