FTA (1972, Francine Parker), the Vietnam War-era documentary, will be shown in a rare archival screening with former FTA cast member Jane Fonda in person, Monday, February 2 at 7:00pm. Following the screening, Jane Fonda will talk about the film and her work in the controversial antiwar touring show in a discussion moderated by David Zeiger, director of the recent documentary Sir, No Sir! A portion of the proceeds from the evening will benefit Iraq Veterans against the War, a nonprofit advocacy organization for ending the war and for providing support to returning service members.
“The show the Pentagon couldn’t stop,” the FTA (which stood for Free Theater Associates, and also Free – or another F-word – The Army) revue brought antiwar entertainment to military personnel at the height of Vietnam. Performers like Ms. Fonda, Donald Sutherland and Holly Near toured towns near military bases around the US and overseas, lending their support to troops who opposed the war. The film documents the troupe’s performances at US military bases on the Pacific Rim – Hawaii, Okinawa, the Philippines – as they attempt to encourage opposition to the war among the rank-and-file of US forces.
Tickets to this special event are $12 for IFC Center members, $15 for non-members.