Movie Night: An Anarchist's Story - Ethel MacDonald

Tuesday, Feb 9, 7:30pm
Sedition Books (901 Richmond Ave.)

An Anarchist's Story : Ethel MacDonald

This documentary-drama tells the story of Ethel MacDonald, a remarkable young woman whose name hit the world headlines during the Spanish Civil War. She was hailed as the 'Scarlet Pimpernel' of the workers' revolution but has since become something of a forgotten legend.

Ethel MacDonald, whose association with the anarchist movement began in her native Lanarkshire, set off for Barcelona after heeding a call for international support for the Republican movement which was under threat from a fascist military uprising led by General Franco.

A radio announcer at the headquarters of the workers' confederation, it was her voice that first broadcast to the world the accounts of the famous May Day riots in Barcelona and updates on the anarcho-syndicalist experiment in the region. Blacklisted by the Spanish authorities and under constant surveillance, she struggled to free her imprisoned comrades.

Dramatic reconstructions, contributions from veterans and academics and powerful archive footage bring to life a city and a time when ideologies clashed with horrific consequences.

Ethel MacDonald's broadcasts and experiences provide an illuminating account of the anarchist revolution and a woman's courage and give voice to a version of events which has been seldom heard.

David Hayman is the narrator, contributors include Noam Chomsky and Antonia Fontanillas, an anarchist veteran still living in Barcelona.

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This event is free, donations appreciated.

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