Historian and political author Michael Parenti is that perfect mix of scholar and street-tough, street-smart critic. He has a firm grasp on the breadth of history while maintaining a laser-like sense of where the corrupt, anti-human political deals are really being made: in the gutters, trenches, and bowels of a shady and crooked ruling class.
I first met Michael for my now on-hiatus documentary “Murder Incorporated: Empire, Genocide, and Manifest Destiny” (which is now the basis of a new book underway penned by Mumia and myself). I interviewed him for two hours in the living room of his home in Berkeley, California… and that day his searing indictment of the American Empire and its machinations around the world was par excellence. So when it came to making LONG DISTANCE REVOLUTIONARY, I traipsed back to Berkeley, paid homage to Mario Savio and his “Bodies Upon the Gears” speech back in ‘64, and then set up camp at Parenti’s – this time he invited us to film in the backyard. The yard immediately brought back memories of growing up in Newark, New Jersey and picking tomatoes and basil in my grandfather’s backyard. Parenti, a rogue Italian-American like myself, also grew up in the New York area and we share similar roots. Clearly, he’s at home in this verdant oasis: a little slice of peace in the midst of Berkeley proper. This clip didn’t make it into the film, but like a lot of clips that didn’t make it into the film, it’s a great piece. Michael offers some great tongue-in-cheek fun with regard to torture and human rights abuse. See, even torture can be fun and games if you just lighten up… just ask your government and sweethearts like Charles Graner and Lynndie England. C’mon, take that taxi to the darkside.
