The Leo Panitch School for Socialist Education and the Socialist Project presents Burn! as the next film in our ongoing FilmSocial series.

Set in the mid 1800s, Marlon Brando plays British mercenary Sir William Walker. He is sent by Britain to the fictional Caribbean island of Queimada. Queimada is a colony of Portugal and Britain is looking to break their control over sugar production on the island. Walker’s mission is to instigate a slave revolt against the Portuguese government under the leadership of dock worker, José Dolores. The uprising is successful, but the rebels reject the new government when it allies itself with the Antilles Royal Sugar Company and Walker must return to put down the rebellion.

Burn! is a 1969 historical drama film directed by Gillo Pontecorvo (The Battle of Algiers). It is the second film in our special series exploring the topic of imperialism. Burn! is set in the time of great historical transformation. When the world was transitioning from colonies, directly controlled by imperial countries, to independent nation-states open to free-trade. The people are promised freedom with their new state, but it quickly becomes clear capitalism cannot live up to its ideals.

The film will be followed by a short presentation and general discussion on the politics and implications of the film’s subject today.

Please note that Burn! is rated R and features violence and some nudity.