Racist Trees

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2:22

Racist Trees

2022

1h 28m

Documentary

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3 Reviews

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Fewer than 50 Ratings

Cut off from the glitz and glamor of Palm Springs, and overshadowed by towering sixty-foot Tamarisk trees, lies the historically Black Lawrence Crossley neighborhood. Allegedly planted by the City in the late 1950's to line the 14th fairway of a City-owned golf course, these trees have become the focal point of frustration and animosity for locals who see the trees as an enduring symbol of segregation. For decades, residents have been forced to put up with the tangled overgrowth from a species so invasive, they have been officially categorized as a pest by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Until now. Racist Trees investigates the timely story of racial conflict in an unlikely, liberal pocket of America, uncovering an even darker racist history that few would equate with the city's progressive image. An intimate, sobering, and at times humorous look at the intersection of local politics, news media, race, class, gentrification, and social justice, Racist Trees reveals a microcosm of racial tension that continues to percolate across the country today.

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Stephen Silver

The SS Ben Hecht

01/26/2024

4/5

Succinctly and skillfully shows how the controversy happened, while also conveying a strong sense of place about Palm Springs.

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Valerie Kalfrin

AWFJ.org

01/24/2024

How can trees be racist? In this lively yet thought-provoking documentary, directors and co-producers Sara Newens (Footprint) and Mina T. Son (Top Spin) explore how that all depends on which side of the tree line you are.

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Rob Rector

Film Threat

01/10/2023

7.5/10

Using interviews with residents following the legal case, Newens and Son takes a fascinating look into the debate that does not always point to the expected outcomes.

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Greg R

@itsgregsworld 01/23/2024

Well thought out documentary that made me wish I lived in Palm Springs instead of Florida

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Sara Newens

Director

Mina T. Son

Director

Sara Newens

Screenwriter

Joanna Sokolowski

Screenwriter

Andrew Calof

Producer

Joanna Sokolowski

Producer

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Racist Trees: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Cut off from the glitz and glamor of Palm Springs, and overshadowed by towering sixty-foot Tamarisk trees, lies the historically Black Lawrence Crossley neighborhood. Allegedly planted by the City in the late 1950's to line the 14th fairway of a City-owned golf course, these trees have become the focal point of frustration and animosity for locals who see the trees as an enduring symbol of segregation. For decades, residents have been forced to put up with the tangled overgrowth from a species so invasive, they have been officially categorized as a pest by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Until now. Racist Trees investigates the timely story of racial conflict in an unlikely, liberal pocket of America, uncovering an even darker racist history that few would equate with the city's progressive image. An intimate, sobering, and at times humorous look at the intersection of local politics, news media, race, class, gentrification, and social justice, Racist Trees reveals a microcosm of racial tension that continues to percolate across the country today.

Director: Sara Newens, Mina T. Son
Producer: Andrew Calof, Joanna Sokolowski, Justin Baldoni
Screenwriter: Sara Newens, Joanna Sokolowski
Production Co: Wayfarer Studios
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Runtime: 1h 28m

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