"Dukakis: Recipe for Democracy
When:
Sunday, Apr 26, 2026 1:00p -
2:30p
Sunday, Apr 26, 2026 1:00p -
2:30p
Where:
Chelsea Theatre Works
181 Winnisimmet Street
Chelsea, MA 02150
Admission:
FREE
Hosted by:
Categories:
Festivals & Fairs, Movies, Social Good
Event website:
https://events.humanitix.com/dukakis-recipe-for-democracy-closing-film-of-the-reel-do-over
Join us on Sunday, April 26th for the Closing Film of The Reel Do Over in Chelsea, MA for a special screening of"Dukakis: Recipe for Democracy" by local filmmakers Erin Trahan and Jeff Schmidt.
This short documentary highlights Michael Dukakis’s leadership and culinary wisdom as an antidote to the instability of American democracy. Juan Gallego, who was mentored by Dukakis and was his undergraduate assistant while a student at Northeastern, is featured in the film. A son of immigrants, Gallego has been involved in local advocacy in his hometown of Chelsea, including helping establish its Human Rights Commission. He is currently Associate Deputy Chief of Staff to Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll.
Following the screening, Jay Paris of beheard.world will moderate a Q&A with filmmaker Erin Trahan, composer Joel Roston and Juan Gallego.
In lieu of ticket fees, we humbly request you donate to our Emerging Filmmaker Scholarship Fund to be awarded to a young filmmaker in Chelsea.
Synopsis
Upon accepting the Democratic nomination for president in 1988, Michael Dukakis tells his fellow citizens that when they see an image of the White House, he wants them to feel pride. He pledges to serve in a White House that "sets high standards not just for the American people, but high standards for itself." “Dukakis” catches up with the unflappable three-term Massachusetts governor three decades later. On a snowy afternoon, in the same Brookline, Massachusetts duplex he bought with his wife Kitty more than 50 years ago, he pulls a frozen turkey carcass from the freezer and starts chopping onions.
While soup broth simmers, “Dukakis” takes viewers on a journey along his long arc of leadership, reflecting on his formative years as the son of Greek immigrants up to the present. At age 85, he mentors budding public servants as a college professor. He also chairs a commission to connect Boston’s North and South rail stations – a project he has backed since the 1970s. Meanwhile a crop of new leaders – including Northeastern University undergraduate Juan Gallego, also a son of immigrants – carries Dukakis’ legacy forward all the way to the governor’s office.
“Democracy is a work in progress,” says Dukakis as he fills a bowl with steaming soup. “A precious gift that needs constant nurturing.” Amidst unprecedented uncertainty in American politics, “Dukakis” offers a reason to pause, take stock in the past, and look forward with renewed faith in what’s possible when people believe in democracy, and each other.
ABOUT THE REEL DO OVER
The Reel Do Over is an exciting week-long cultural event that includes screenings of short films produced by local and regional filmmakers, workshops, panel discussions and networking/casual mixers for the community.
Youth 21 and under have free admission to all the screenings, panels and workshops. Otherwise tickets are $15.00 per event with Festival and Day passes available.
Devra Sari Zabot (based in Chelsea) and K. Elisa Garcia (Chelsea native, based in Everett) are thrilled to partner on The Reel Do Over and blend their combined thirty years of professional industry experience together to bring the magic of moviemaking to Chelsea. At one point in time downtown Chelsea/Broadway had four movie theaters.
As two filmmakers committed to creating opportunities, we believe in the power of film to empower and uplift the individual and a community. If this event is successful, we plan on making The Reel Do Over an annual event and hope to see showcase films by more and more locally based filmmakers.
The Reel Do Over event will celebrate movie making from the office to set with hands-on cinematography/directing workshop, a session on DEI, a panel on sustainability and a conversation around new roles in film production.
We are also accepting donations via our GoFundMe page to raise monies towards a scholarship for a Chelsea based young (21 and under) filmmaker.
The Reel Do Over is funded in part by a grant from the Chelsea Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. Additional funding has been provided by Eastern Salt, our premier sponsor. Chelsea Chamber Capital Foundation is our fiscal sponsor.
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