Black World Cinema in partnership with Chicago Filmmakers presents CHAMELEON STREET on Saturday, December 11th at 7:00 PM.
CHAMELEON STREET is a 1989 independent film written by, directed, and starring Wendell B. Harris, Jr.. It tells the story of a social chameleon who impersonates reporters, doctors, and lawyers in order to make money.
The film is a satire based on the life of Detroit con artist and high-school drop-out William Douglas Street, Jr., who successfully impersonated professional reporters, lawyers, athletes, extortionists, and surgeons, going so far as to perform more than 36 successful hysterectomies. A Sundance Film Festival press release in 2008 described it as “one of the first films to examine how mellifluously race, class, and role-playing morph into the social fabric of America.” (1989, 94 min, USA)
“Chameleon Street” was largely unavailable for years, beyond a pair of now-out-of-print home releases, including a VHS and a DVD edition. “Chameleon Street” has now been restored in 4K from the original camera negative, all under the supervision of Harris himself. Earlier this year, the restoration screened at the New York Film Festival
About Black World Cinema
Black World Cinema was founded in 2005 by Floyd Webb and Alisa Starks of ICE Theaters. Black World Cinema is a showcase of seldom seen classic features and new films from around the world. Its mission is to present films by filmmakers that bring us stories with compelling content and a human dimension seldom presented in mainstream cinema. Select screenings will be followed by lively discussions moderated by program director Floyd Webb or local scholars, screenwriters and directors.
Chicago Filmmakers Firehouse Cinema
In-person screenings are held at Chicago Filmmakers firehouse cinema located at 1326 W Hollywood Ave in the Edgewater neighborhood. Please be sure to arrive 15 minutes prior to showtime and be ready to present your order confirmation number for admission. Proof of full vaccination or a negative Covid-19 PCR test result is required to attend all screenings and events.