Strange Fruit (DVD)

In 1937, after seeing a photo depicting the lynching of an African-American man in the south, Bronx-born schoolteacher Abel Meeropol wrote a poem entitled "Strange Fruit" that begins with the words "Southern trees bear a strange fruit/ Blood on the leaves and blood at the root." After the poem was published to acclaim in a publication entitled New York Teacher, Meeropol set it to music. Published under the name Lewis Allan, the song gained a reputation in political circles, but much wider attention came when Billie Holiday performed it at a Manhattan nightclub called Café Society in 1939. Holiday's record came out shortly thereafter, and became one of her signature songs, as well as a symbol of a grim period in American history.

Through interviews and archival footage – including a striking performance of the song by Holiday from British television – director Joel Katz explains the origins of the song, then gives copious evidence of its social impact – on both the public and the generations of musicians who have performed it. He explains the rocky history of the song, such as Holiday's claim that she took part in its composition, as well as its appearance in the McCarthy hearings. Then Katz bravely relates the song's significance to more recent hate crimes. STRANGE FRUIT is a fascinating journey that intertwines family, music, human rights, and tolerance in general.