
Documenting uncannily topical subject matter - from tear gas and protester tensions at the 1972 Republican Convention, to the Black Panther’s Fred Hampton advocating Free Breakfasts For Children - the Videofreex both revolutionised and radicalised citizen journalism in the late ‘60s.
Alongside other US guerilla TV collectives such as TVTV and the Raindance Foundation, the ‘Freex were galvanised by the creation of the cheap and portable Sony Portapak camera, viewing it as a revolutionary tool to take on the ‘Big Three’ networks.
Cultivating a firmly left and sympathetic platform for subjects sidelined by mainstream reportage, they interviewed the decade’s defining civil rights and anti-war activists, displaying satirical wit, a radical empathy and righteous hunger for change.
Programmed by Tom Grimshaw. 105’
Presented in association with Video Data Bank.
This programme contains description of abortion.
Subtitles are provided with thanks to our partnership with Subly.
#madewithsubly
FRED HAMPTON: BLACK PANTHERS IN CHICAGO
Fred Hampton talks eloquently and passionately about the Free Breakfast for Children Program and Free Health Clinic set up by the Black Panthers to feed and tend to the poor and hungry. In response to a specific question about events in Chicago and the conspiracy trial, he talks about how those running the city are "crazy with power," about racism, fascism and imperialism, and the need to educate, organise and lead by example.
- Year1969
- Runtime24 minutes
- CountryUnited States
- DirectorVideofreex

Documenting uncannily topical subject matter - from tear gas and protester tensions at the 1972 Republican Convention, to the Black Panther’s Fred Hampton advocating Free Breakfasts For Children - the Videofreex both revolutionised and radicalised citizen journalism in the late ‘60s.
Alongside other US guerilla TV collectives such as TVTV and the Raindance Foundation, the ‘Freex were galvanised by the creation of the cheap and portable Sony Portapak camera, viewing it as a revolutionary tool to take on the ‘Big Three’ networks.
Cultivating a firmly left and sympathetic platform for subjects sidelined by mainstream reportage, they interviewed the decade’s defining civil rights and anti-war activists, displaying satirical wit, a radical empathy and righteous hunger for change.
Programmed by Tom Grimshaw. 105’
Presented in association with Video Data Bank.
This programme contains description of abortion.
Subtitles are provided with thanks to our partnership with Subly.
#madewithsubly
FRED HAMPTON: BLACK PANTHERS IN CHICAGO
Fred Hampton talks eloquently and passionately about the Free Breakfast for Children Program and Free Health Clinic set up by the Black Panthers to feed and tend to the poor and hungry. In response to a specific question about events in Chicago and the conspiracy trial, he talks about how those running the city are "crazy with power," about racism, fascism and imperialism, and the need to educate, organise and lead by example.
- Year1969
- Runtime24 minutes
- CountryUnited States
- DirectorVideofreex