William Kunstler: Disturbing the Universe

The documentary spans several significant American locations, primarily focusing on Chicago where the Chicago 8 trial took place, as well as referencing Attica Prison and Wounded Knee as key historical sites that inform Kunstler's career and the civil rights struggles he was involved in.

The documentary covers the 1960s through 1995, tracing William Kunstler's career from his civil rights work during the 1960s era of activism through to his death in 1995, a period that saw significant shifts in public perception of justice and law.

The film explores three interconnected themes: justice, as Kunstler devoted his life to defending marginalized people; family, seen through his daughters' complex relationship with their father's legacy; and legacy itself, examining how his controversial choices affected both his reputation and his family's perception of him.

William Kunstler was a controversial civil rights attorney known for defending Martin Luther King Jr., the Chicago 8, and numerous other clients marginalized by society. The documentary portrays him as a passionate but complicated figure whose dedication to social justice sometimes sparked controversy.

The Chicago 8 was a landmark trial in Chicago during the Vietnam War era where eight activists were charged with conspiracy and inciting riots for their protest activities. Kunstler famously defended them, using the trial as a platform to challenge government policies and highlight issues of systemic racism.

Emily and Sarah Kunstler created the film to explore and reconcile their complex feelings about their father's legacy. They wanted to understand the man behind the controversial public persona, grappling with the dichotomy between admiring their father and being concerned about the choices that tarnished his reputation.

The documentary examines Kunstler's belief that everyone deserves legal representation regardless of their past, questioning whether the law serves true justice or the interests of the powerful. It presents his lifelong commitment to fighting for civil rights while acknowledging the moral complexities of his career choices.

The film references major civil rights events including the 1971 Attica prison rebellion and the historic Wounded Knee conflict, both of which represent struggles against systemic injustice that shaped Kunstler's work and the era he operated in.

The documentary presents a nuanced view of Kunstler's legacy, showing how he transitioned from being an idolized civil rights figure to a controversial one. His legacy remains contested and stained by his later cases, though his daughters ultimately achieve a more human understanding of their father through the filmmaking process.

The documentary has a dark, serious tone dealing with heavy themes of systemic injustice, moral compromise, and the dark side of radical activism. It is emotionally intense given its exploration of state-sanctioned violence, racism, and ethical ambiguity, though it ends on a bittersweet note with the daughters finding some reconciliation.