My Dinner with Abbie

Abbie Hoffman's fiftieth birthday was the right occasion for Nancy Cohen to have a conversation with this controversial figure of the 1960s. Humorously, she wrote that she had taken firewalking workshops for three months, in order to be well prepared for this meeting. Apparently it had effect, because it became an animated talk about sex, drugs, greed, ideals, Hoffman's past, and his expectations for the future.As a true Hoffman-fan, Cohen was dismayed on hearing the news that Abbie Hoffman, 52 years old, had died by suicide. After that, she and her colleagues worked hard in the editing room to get the film finished. On reflection, one can say that the film contains a lot of indications of Abbie Hoffman's depression and suicide. However, it must be added, perhaps this is concluded by hindsight. (International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam)