Political and Media Manipulation Featured in Four-Part Series at Rivertown Film

Local filmmaker Greg Mitchell will present a compelling collection of documentary works exploring media and government manipulation at a special screening hosted by Rivertown Film on Wednesday, September 24th. The event will feature clips from four of Mitchell’s films produced between 2022 and 2025, each examining different facets of information control and historical censorship.

The showcase will begin with “Atomic Cover-Up,” which reveals long-suppressed footage documenting the human suffering caused by the U.S. nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945. The film provides rare visual evidence of the devastating aftermath that was deliberately kept from public view for decades.

“The First Attack Ads” explores a pivotal moment in American political history when MGM producer Irving Thalberg commissioned the creation of what are considered the first screen “attack ads.” This occurred in response to author and socialist Upton Sinclair’s unexpected victory in California’s 1934 Democratic gubernatorial primary, marking an early example of Hollywood’s influence on electoral politics.

The screening will also feature “Memorial Day Massacre: Workers Die, Film Buried,” which uncovers the forgotten story of the 1937 Memorial Day incident where Chicago police killed ten striking Republic Steel workers during what began as a peaceful picnic. The film examines how newsreel footage documenting this violence mysteriously disappeared, effectively erasing the event from public memory.

Mitchell’s most recent work, “The Atomic Bowl: Football at Ground Zero – and Nuclear Peril Today,” investigates the U.S. military’s decision to stage an all-star football game on Nagasaki’s atomic blast site just months after the bombing, despite dangerous radiation levels. The documentary draws connections between this historical event and contemporary nuclear threats.

A Nyack resident, Mitchell brings substantial journalistic credentials to his filmmaking. His extensive career includes serving as editor for several notable publications including Editor & Publisher, Nuclear Times, and Crawdaddy. He has contributed to dozens of leading publications and authored thirteen books, establishing himself as a respected voice on media, politics, and nuclear issues.

Following the screenings, ArtsRock director and WQXR host Elliott Forrest will lead an in-depth discussion with Mitchell, providing audience members an opportunity to engage directly with the filmmaker about his work and the historical events portrayed.

The event represents an important collaboration between cultural organizations in the region, with ArtsRock and Big Red Books serving as community partners for the screening. This partnership reflects growing local interest in documentary filmmaking that examines overlooked or deliberately obscured historical narratives.

The screening will take place at Rivertown Film’s venue with doors opening at 7:30 PM and the program beginning at 8:00 PM. Tickets are priced at $13 for general admission, $11 for students and seniors, and $9 for Rivertown Film members.

Mitchell’s body of work addresses increasingly relevant questions about information control, media manipulation, and historical memory in an era of growing concerns about misinformation and propaganda. By unearthing these historical examples of suppressed information and manufactured narratives, his films provide valuable context for understanding contemporary media landscapes.

For additional information about the screening or to purchase tickets, interested attendees can visit rivertownfilm.org. The event is expected to attract documentary enthusiasts, history buffs, and those interested in media literacy from throughout the Hudson Valley region.