William Kunstler was a prominent lawyer in the 20th Century, known for his unwavering fight for civil rights alongside figures like Martin Luther King Jr. He took on the case of the Chicago 8, who were charged for protesting the Vietnam War, showcasing his commitment to justice. When the inmates in Attica prison staged a takeover, or when Native Americans stood up against federal authority at Wounded Knee, they sought out Kunstler as their legal defender. To his daughters, Emily and Sarah, he was a legendary figure, a father who stood at the forefront of significant societal events.
However, by the time the girls were born in the late 1970s, Kunstler was no longer in his prime. The father they knew had already entered into murky waters, being photographed kissing a Mafia client and defending actions he considered politically motivated assassinations. His controversial clientele included an Islamic fundamentalist charged with the murder of a rabbi, a terrorist implicated in the World Trade Center bombing, and a young man accused of a brutal gang rape. As Kunstler passed away in 1995, both Emily and Sarah began to feel that he had strayed from ideals worth fighting for, transforming from an idol into a seemingly embattled and isolated man.
The documentary Disturbing the Universe: Radical Lawyer William Kunstler, directed by his daughters, delves into their father's dramatic evolution from a conventional family man to a courageous figure willing to risk everything for his beliefs. Kunstler's journey took a pivotal turn in the 1960s when he, a 40-year-old attorney with a steady practice in estate and divorce law, decided to leave his suburban life to immerse himself in the civil rights movement.
His rise to international recognition came swiftly when he chose to defend the Chicago 8, individuals facing charges for inciting riots at the 1968 Democratic National Convention. In an audacious act, he challenged the judicial process, putting the Vietnam War and the issue of American racism under scrutiny. However, this trial altered Kunstler's perception; he transitioned from viewing the law as a tool for justice to recognizing it as a means for those in power to maintain control over society.
Kunstler's firsthand experiences at Attica Prison during the 1971 rebellion solidified this revelation. As an observer for the inmates, he witnessed the tragic aftermath of a violent state assault that resulted in the deaths of 29 inmates and 9 hostages, alongside hundreds of injuries. The film presents archival footage that captures the brutality of the incident, addressing both the harshness of the state's actions and ongoing debates about Kunstler's role, with some arguing that he only fueled the inmates' unrealistic hopes of amnesty.
Through a combination of interviews and historical footage, the documentary portrays divergent opinions about Kunstler’s influence—some accused him, while others credited him with saving lives. Although his numerous high-profile trials and victories bolstered his confidence as a skilled and passionate lawyer, he struggled to balance his professional life with fatherhood. His daughters, concerned for their father's reputation, urged him against defending Yusef Salaam, a black teenager wrongfully accused in a notorious case. The media demonized him, branding him a monster, only for the narrative to shift years later when Salaam, now an innocent man, was exonerated after DNA evidence proved his innocence.
In Kunstler's own words during the Chicago 8 trial, > "I suspect that more people have gone to their deaths through a legal system than through all the illegalities in the history of man: 6 million people in Europe during the Third Reich. Legal. Sacco and Vanzetti. Legal. The hundreds of great trials throughout the South where black men were condemned to death. All legal. Jesus. Legal. Socrates. Legal. ...All tyrants learn that it is far better to do this thing through some semblance of legality than to do it without that pretense."
The essence of the film underscores Kunstler’s resolve to prioritize justice over mere legalities, defending those cast aside by society simply because they required advocacy the most, all while skillfully maintaining media attention. Ultimately, Emily and Sarah conclude their exploration of Kunstler’s multidimensional character, weaving together his complex legacy into a relatable and human narrative.
