In a bid to shine a light on the intersection of environmental disasters and social inequality, the City of Fort Worth’s Human Relations Commission is set to screen the documentary "Cooked: Survival by Zip Code" as part of their Movies That Matter initiative. The screening is scheduled for Thursday, June 5, at 7 p.m. at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, located at 3200 Darnell St.
The film is a harrowing dive into the deadliest heatwave in U.S. history, which scorched Chicago in the summer of 1995. Admission to the event is complimentary, but organizers are urging attendees to make reservations online to secure their spot.
According to the Fort Worth city news release, "Cooked: Survival by Zip Code" explores the tragic toll of the heatwave, with a staggering 739 people perishing in just one week. As a non-rated film with an 82-minute runtime, "Cooked" not only dissects the disaster itself but also its lingering implications. It points to the longstanding crisis of poverty, segregation, and systemic racism, asking whether this catastrophe was a singular event or a symptom of a larger, ongoing urban plight.
More than just movie nights, Movies That Matter's bi-monthly series acts to spotlight pressing human and civil rights issues through cinema. Every session, held in February, April, June, August, October, and December, is followed immediately by a moderated discussion with special guests, providing a platform for dialogue on the themes presented in the films. Details for the screening and online reservations can be found on the City of Fort Worth’s official website.
