Opens in New York City on November 17, 2023 at Cinema Village!

Down in Dallas Town is a startling film about the shifting terrain of public memory sixty years after the murder of John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963. Through interviews with people on the street and songs recorded to memorialize JFK in the mid-1960s, the film explores the impact of the assassination on issues in today’s world, from lingering conspiracy theories to the proliferation of gun violence, homelessness, and the scourge of K2.

Personal narratives are juxtaposed with the sentiments articulated in blues, gospel, norteño, and calypso recordings to haunting affect. Especially poignant is the account of Mary Ann Moorman, who returns to the assassination site fifty years later and details the making of her Polaroid photograph of the fatal head shot that killed JFK as the motorcade passed through Dealey Plaza. This resonant new film by Alan Govenar confronts ways we come to terms with the past through the power of storytelling, image-making, and a songbook that is largely unknown.

"An illuminating documentary that delves into the memory of Kennedy, the art of photography and music, the struggles of homelessness, and the prevalence of gun violence. While not every topic is extensively explored, the mixture of perspectives makes for a riveting and emotionally powerful experience." - Andrew Stover, Film Threat

"Beautifully crafted with sensitivity and intelligence." - Andrea Chase, Killer Movie Reviews

"A haunting portrait of the lingering trauma that pervades the streets of Dallas." - Ben Friedman, Highbrow Magazine

"The various JFK songs are worth the price of admission alone." - Steve Kopian, Unseen Films

“Alan Govenar directs a symphony of visuals and sounds that brings history to life. It's a gripping portrayal of how JFK's legacy still reverberates through the streets of modern-day Dallas and beyond. From the get-go, it's apparent that this narrative is deeply embedded with both heart and soul.” - Chris Jones, Overly Honest Movie Reviews

Down in Dallas Town
A film by Alan Govenar
73 minutes, color, English, 2023

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