Hailed as eerily timely by the New York Times on its theatrical release last summer, “The Five Demands,” a riveting story about the 1969 student strike at The City College of New York that changed the face of higher education forever, premiers nationally on PBS on Sept. 6.
“In the wake of the recent Supreme Court decision that rejected affirmative action, the film feels eerily timely,” Claire Schaffer wrote in the Times in July 2023. “The Five Demands” could serve as a blueprint for how to take action…it’s a real thriller,” noted the blog Talking Pictures.
The documentary is the latest work from Jezebel Productions, award-winning filmmakers Greta Schiller and Andrea Weiss’s company. Schiller is a CCNY alumna and Weiss a film and video professor in CCNY’s Division of Humanities and the Arts.
In April 1969, Black and Puerto Rican students shut down CCNY with five basic demands. Fueled by the revolutionary fervor sweeping the nation, the strike soon turned into an uprising, leading to the extended occupation of the South Campus, classes being canceled, buildings set on fire, and the resignation of the college president.
“The Five Demands” revisits the untold story of this explosive student takeover, and proves that a handful of ordinary citizens can band together to take action and effect meaningful change.
Following are the broadcast times in certain east coast markets. Check your local listings here for other locations.
Market Channel Date Time
New York WLIW 9/6/2024 9 pm
New York WLIW 9/7/2024 2 am
New York WLIW 9/7/2024 10 am
New York WLIW 9/7/2024 4 pm
Philadelphia WHYY 9/6/2024 9 pm
Philadelphia WHYY 9/7/2024 2 am
Philadelphia WHYY 9/7/2024 4 pm
Washington WETA 9/6/2024 9 pm
Washington WETA 9/7/2024 2 am
Washington WETA 9/7/2024 10 am
Washington WETA 9/7/2024 4 pm
Washington WNVC 9/6/2024 9 pm
Washington WNVC 9/7/2024 2 am
Washington WNVC 9/7/2024 10 am
Washington WNVC 9/7/2024 4 pm
Weiss and Schiller drew on the talent of CCNY alumni including cinematographer Octavio Warnock-Graham, executive producer Stanley Nelson, production manager Felicia Bradford, sound recordists Bhima Aryateja and Susan Mei; and graphics designer Joann Huang. Faculty involved in the film included development producer Linda Villarosa and sound recordist J.T. Takagi.
The filmmakers and protagonists are available for press interviews. Click here for promotional materials.
Click here for more information about “The Five Demands.”
About Jezebel Productions
Founded in 1984 by Greta Schiller and Andrea Weiss, Jezebel Productions remains steadfast in its determination to tell stories that make us reflect on our purpose on earth. Our films on social issues, women’s and LGBT history, and science and society have garnered two Emmy Awards, three Fulbright Awards, and numerous international film festival awards. The Five Demands, co-produced and directed by Andrea Weiss and Greta Schiller, continues Jezebel’s tradition of creating innovative, thought-provoking and entertaining films that make deep connections between the historical past and present.
About The City College of New York
Since 1847, The City College of New York has provided a high-quality and affordable education to generations of New Yorkers in a wide variety of disciplines. CCNY embraces its position at the forefront of social change. It is ranked #1 by the Harvard-based Opportunity Insights out of 369 selective public colleges in the United States on the overall mobility index. This measure reflects both access and outcomes, representing the likelihood that a student at CCNY can move up two or more income quintiles. Education research organization Degree Choices ranks CCNY #1 nationally among universities for economic return on investment. In addition, the Center for World University Rankings places CCNY in the top 1.8% of universities worldwide in terms of academic excellence. Labor analytics firm Lightcast puts at $3.2 billion CCNY’s annual economic impact on the regional economy (5 boroughs and 5 adjacent counties) and quantifies the “for dollar” return on investment to students, taxpayers and society. At City College, more than 15,000 students pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in eight schools and divisions, driven by significant funded research, creativity and scholarship. In 2023, CCNY launched its most expansive fundraising campaign, ever. The campaign, titled “Doing Remarkable Things Together” seeks to bring the College’s Foundation to more than $1 billion in total assets in support of the College mission. CCNY is as diverse, dynamic and visionary as New York City itself. View CCNY Media Kit.
Jay Mwamba
p: 917.892.0374
e:
jmwamba@ccny.cuny.edu