DUers who are Netflix Members, please do me a giant favor and add my film to your queue.

The film I co-produced and co-wrote, Can Mr. Smith Get to Washington Anymore?, is coming out on Netflix in August. You can review it and add it to your queue now. The film follows Jeff Smith's (hence the title) race against Russ Carnahan for the seat in Congress vacated by Dick Gephardt.

I never had been involved in making a film before this one. I was and still am just a grassroots field organizer for Quixotic political campaigns. A filmmaker came to us in the middle of a campaign and asked to film it. We needed free footage for ads so we let him film. When we got done and looked at the footage, we realized that there was an amazing story about our broken political system that we had to tell. The film is the result of that.

It's life has amazed us. We were nominated by the International Documentary Association for best doc of 2006 and made the shortlist for the Academy Award for best doc. In February, it played nationwide on PBS. Now we are trying to get it into the hands of as many political activists as possible. Ideas on how to do that are greatly appreciated.

Here is an excerpt from the Washington Post Review http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/21/AR2006092101792.html:

While Congress debates what to do about voter fraud, "Can Mr. Smith Get to Washington Anymore?" arrives as a timely reminder that, rather than people voting illegally, our real worry should be getting people to vote at all (and when they do vote, making sure they're counted). More than big money or big family names, Smith's real enemy throughout the campaign is apathy, which Popper captures early in the film with a shot of a doormat reading "Go Away," an image that's intercut with various scenes of the voting public dismissing him, and Smith's own parents telling him he shouldn't run.

Deeply absorbing and moving with the caffeinated speed of Smith's own feisty campaign, "Can Mr. Smith Get to Washington Anymore?" is at once a celebration of small-d democracy and an elegy to it, a portrait that will surely inspire and infuriate viewers. And once they take this particular peek at how the sausage is made, with luck they'll want to start working on a new recipe.

and more from the LA Times http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/reviews/cl-et-smith2feb02,1,4878521.story:

By early 2009, someone named Bush or Clinton will have served as U.S. president for the previous 20 years. With Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton positioned as a leading candidate for the Democratic nomination and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush looming as a dark horse Republican contender, the dynastic trending of American politics could not have a higher profile.

While Carnahan looks every bit the part of political scion, Smith is short and speaks with a nasal intonation. He seems to be in perpetual motion, always in a uniform of a pale blue oxford shirt, red tie and khakis. Even his own communications director — Artie Harris, a true character — says he looks like a 12-year-old.

When speaking, Smith is passionate and knowledgeable, campaigning on a platform of education and universal healthcare. He's stridently anti-Bush and his campaign relies on going door to door, meet-and-greet coffee klatches, youthful volunteers, plentiful yard signs and direct mailings. Smith's highest-level advisors all seem to be in their mid-20s.

The film is an inspiring look at the power of youthful energy and politics that are position-driven, but as Smith cuts into Carnahan's early 30-point lead we are reminded of the advantages of money and privilege.

* * * * *

I hope as many DUers as possible can see it. If anyone would like to show it to a political organization, school, etc. we encourage you to do that.

And most importantly, if anyone wants to buy the DVD, it is available at our website.

Thank you guys in advance!

:thumbsup:

for the waste of your 82 minutes, but I am betting most DUers will like it.

And their overwhelming review on it is 'Awesome'. Spread the word, a must see. :thumbsup: Peace.

Considering that we don't have an advertising budget, it is our only advertising.

I'd be honered. k&r.

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Thanks for letting us know! :hi:

and watched it a few weeks ago. Marvelous film! I highly recommend it.

We actually make some money when someone buys the film.

I am glad you enjoyed it. I am very proud of the film.

now let's hope Netflix is still around by the time your movie's available. (they're having difficulties).

I'm curious as I got an email from them this morning telling me they were lowering my monthly fee...

Blockbuster is hurting them.

That is one reason they have been trying to cut deals with independent filmmakers. They are very good to us. Many independent films would not be succesful without support from Netflix. They don't get enough credit for what they have done for people like us.

Blockbuster kisses big studio ass. Netflix works hard to help the little guy.

Looking forward to seeing it.

I don't do the Netflix ordering - he does - because I simply don't watch as many movies as he does.

Give 'em hell!

:headbang:

It's not so different than a grassroots campaign.

Not easy to find different voices out there anymore, and I can't trust the MSM to show all sides of an issue, anymore.

and distribute them over the internet is as big of a dvelopment in communication as the invention of the printing press. It givesordinary people the ability to access and usethe dominant means of commuication for their time. Every other time in history when this has happened, there has been an explosion of ideas (some good, some bad).

Excellent film

:thumbsup:

When it arrives I'll plan a weekend get together with some friends that have been wanting to see it.

I hope you guys enjoy it.

n/t

he was easily the most qualified candidate. Carnahan slid in on name recognition.

Thanks for the recommendation.

I certainly hope so, and if so - I will start a subscription to Netflix and add it to my list!

done a subtitled version yet. We have an extremely limited budget so we are not selling a subtitled version for the DVD on ouur website, but Netflix has probably done that for the rental version. I will check and let you know.

:-)

Thanks for the tip -- I remember when you released it to theaters, and I pushed my friends in cities where it was showing to attend. I'll do my part now.

I can't wait for more DUers to see it. Let me know what you think of it.

....but now I'll add it on my "must buy" list.

Cheers :toast:

:evilgrin:

K&R, and added to my ever growing Q.