The Strawberry Statement (film)

The Strawberry Statement is a 1970 American drama film directed by Stuart Hagmann, based on the non-fiction book of the same name by James Simon Kunen. The film is a fictionalized account of the 1968 student protests at Columbia University.

The plot follows Simon, a politically apathetic college student who becomes involved in campus activism after being smitten with a fellow student named Linda. He witnesses and participates in the escalating protests against the university administration's policies, including the construction of a controversial gymnasium in a public park. The film portrays the idealism and energy of the student movement, but also highlights the potential for violence and disillusionment.

The film features a soundtrack of contemporary rock music, including songs by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and Buffy Sainte-Marie, which adds to its countercultural feel. The Strawberry Statement was nominated for several awards, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. It also won the Jury Prize at the 1970 Cannes Film Festival.

While a product of its time and reflective of the specific events at Columbia, The Strawberry Statement explores themes of student activism, social change, and the generation gap, which continue to resonate with audiences. It offers a glimpse into the turbulent era of the late 1960s and early 1970s in America.