Peabody award-winning director Judith Helfand’s documentary Cooked: Survival by Zip Code is now screening for a two week-run at the Gene Siskel Film Center of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago through July 25.
Detailing the city’s deadliest summer heat wave in 1995, Cooked delves into the politics of the disaster – the shameful death toll higher in the poor neighborhoods of the South and West sides. Inspired by Eric Klineberg’s book, “Heat Wave: A Social Autopsy of Disaster in Chicago,” and presented by Kartemquin Films, the film uses archival footage and in-depth interviews to detail what led to the preventable deaths of 739 people.
Using her own experience in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, Helfand looks at the inadequacies of regional responses to natural disasters, particularly the shocking treatment – or lack thereof – of the elderly and people of color. On a broader scope, the documentary looks at the impending effects on climate change and how the rapidly increasing storms, heat, hurricanes and other disasters can affect the death toll. And, most importantly, how history repeating itself is the most dangerous threat of them all.
For more information, click HERE. See screening times below:
Cooked: Survival by Zip Code
July 12 – 25
*FILMMAKERS IN-PERSON*
Sat., 7/13 at 5 pm Q&A w/ Judith Helfand
Sun., 7/14 at 2 pm Q&A w/ Judith Helfand
Mon., 7/15 at 6 pm
Tue., 7/16 at 7:45 pm
Wed., 7/17 at 6 pm
Thu., 7/18 at 8 pm Q&A w/ Judith Helfand
Fri., 7/19 at 8:15 pm Q&A w/ Judith Helfand
Sat., 7/20 at 7:30 pm Q&A w/ Judith Helfand
Sun., 7/21 at 5:15 pm Q&A w/ Judith Helfand
Tue., 7/23 at 8 pm Q&A
Wed., 7/24 at 6 pm
Thu., 7/25 at 8 pm Q&A w/ Judith Helfand and Eric Klinenberg

All screenings and events are at the Gene Siskel Film Center of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, located at 164 N. State St.
Tickets to each screening–unless stated otherwise—are $12/general admission, $7/students, $6/Film Center members, and $5/Art Institute of Chicago (AIC) staff and School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) faculty, staff, and students. All tickets may be purchased at the Film Center Box Office or through the Gene Siskel Film Center’s website.
Photo credits: Gene Siskel Film Center of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago