Chameleon Street, 1989
Dir. Wendell B. Harris Jr.

Programmed by Conor

Language: English
Runtime: 94 min
Format: DCP

“Chameleon Street recounts the improbable but true story of Michigan con man Douglas Street, the titular “chameleon” who successfully impersonated his way up the socioeconomic ladder…Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the 1990 Sundance Film Festival — yet criminally underseen for over three decades — Chameleon Street has been restored in 4K from the original 35mm camera negative.” 

- Arbelos Films

I wanted to show Chameleon Street because it is, as the quote above says, criminally underseen.  I think it is a major achievement in perspective, oscillating between the limits of confessional autobiography and self-aware caricature. It seems to me that multi-hyphenate Wendell B. Harris, Jr. starred as, wrote as, directed as, and edited from the perspective of the main character Douglas Street, resulting in a film that truly feels like it was made its subject. Harris’ sharp and critical humor blends with Street’s laid-bare psychology to form a deeply dissatisfied, sarcastic but ambitious confidence that soaks through every layer of the production. 

-Conor, Projectionist @ 5th Ave

SHOWTIMES

Friday, October 9
6:00pm & 8:30pm

Saturday, October 10

6:00pm & 8:30pm

Sunday, October 11

3:00pm

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