More Real Than Reality Itself

A.L. Steiner’s video More Real Than Reality Itself expands the structures of documentary works while challenging its conventional reliance on linear narratives. This critique takes shape through Steiner’s reconsideration of the history of political activism and its representations — configuring a story that emphasizes the embodied, romantic aspects of activism rather than a singular, dominant history. Moving outward from Steiner’s family histories, the project traces the biographies of other individuals involved in social justice and the environmental and labor movements to offer a complex document of the long, continuing trajectory of activism.

Featuring Rita 'Bo' Brown, Carla Cloer, Ericka Huggins, Miya Masaoka and Laurie Weeks. Music by Mx. Justin Vivian Bond, Narcissister + Earth Masters, Mamalama, planningtorock, The Julie Ruin and Vân-Ánh Vanessa Võ. Appearances by Rachel Berks, Leidy Churchman, Zackary Drucker, Nicole Eisenman, Anna Sew Hoy, Gelare Khoshgozaran, Melissa Logan, Lee Maida, MPA, Elizabeth Orr, taisha paggett and Ginger Brooks Takahashi. Animation by Aimee Goguen. Sound engineering by Bo Boddie + Craig Wedren.