Dark Money (film)
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 Theatrical release poster |
Dark Money is a 2018 documentary directed by filmmaker Kimberly Reed about the effects of corporate money and influence in the American political system. The film uses Reed's home state of Montana as a primary case study to advance a broader, national discussion on governance in an era of super PACs and Citizens United. Dark Money premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival[1] and premiered to a Montana audience at the Big Sky Film Festival in February 2018.[2] The broadcast rights to Dark Money were purchased by PBS distribution to air the film as part of their docu-series, POV in 2018.[3]
Synopsis
Dark Money is a film that tracks the influence of money in contemporary American politics. Using the state of Montana as a primary case study, the film engages with the complex history that Montana state politics has with corporate influence in politics. Starting with the story of the Anaconda Copper Mining Company, Dark Money shows how the influence of mining corporations caused state legislators to relax mining regulations, which resulted in an environmental catastrophe in Butte, Montana, with problems that persist today. As a result, Montana banned big money in state politics as of 1912.[4] However, since the Citizens United decision, corporate interests and big money have made their way back on the scene in Montana and have become a growing national concern. John S. Adams of the Montana Free Press plays a central role in the film as an investigative journalist who has been tracking state politics and "following the money" for several years. Adams has reported on everything from the role of the American Tradition Partnership funds in the shaping of state election laws[5] to the illegal political activities of a "right to work" PAC in Montana as well.[6] The film follows John S. Adam's work as a reporter, but it also includes interviews from other prominent figures in Montana state politics and those involved in the movement to examine and limit the influence of dark money in politics.
Director Kimberly Reed explains that she was motivated to make the film because the way to understand any public issue is to understand what guides it. “The first thing you have to look at is the money that’s fueling that issue,” she explains. “Just by following that money, you can tell a lot about the powers-that-be behind it.”[7]
Press
- Deadline Hollywood covered the film in anticipation of the Sundance Film Festival, describing it as "controversial," and pointing out that, "The film follows an investigative reporter on the trail of a major legal case in Montana which all ties back to ‘dark money’ political ad campaign spending that no one is privy to where the funding is coming from. The documentary reveals how this practice is devastating elections throughout the country."[8]
- Variety's review of the film assessed it as a "microcosm of the troubling impact of the Citizens United ruling on U.S. democracy." The review also states that, "Reed’s sophomore feature is straightforward reportage, telling a complex, multi-issue story with a large number of players, in admirably cogent terms."[9]
- Ion Cinema reviewed the film after its Sundance premiere, asserted that it was a "highly significant exposè."[10]
Festivals and awards
- Dark Money was part of the 2016 "Good Pitch" program, designed to develop documentaries on leading social issues with input from NGOs as well as political and social organizations.[11]
- The premiere of Dark Money took place in January 2018 at the Sundance Film Festival, where it was an official selection and won the Producing Award.[12]
- Dark Money was the opening night film for the Big Sky Documentary Film Festival in February 2018.[13]
- Dark Money won the Best Documentary Award at the Omaha Film Festival in March 2018.[14]
- The film has screened or is scheduled to screen at several film festivals leading up to the broadcast premiere on PBS in 2018. These include the FREEP Film Festival,[15] Denver Film Society Women + Film Festival,[16] and the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival.[17]
External Links
- Dark Money Official Website: http://www.darkmoneyfilm.com/
- Sundance Institute interview with Dark Money director, Kimberly Reed.
- Exclusive clip of Dark Money on Deadline Hollywood
References
- ^ "dark-money". www.sundance.org. Retrieved 2018-04-16.
- ^ "'Dark Money' documentary making Montana debut". Great Falls Tribune. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
- ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (2018-03-01). "PBS Acquires Rights To Sundance Docu 'Dark Money'". Deadline. Retrieved 2018-04-16.
- ^ "'Dark Money': Film Review | Sundance 2018". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
- ^ "What everyone's talking about: Big Sky, Big Money | Montana Free Press". The Montana Free Press. 2012-10-29. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
- ^ "Complaint: Dark Money Right to Work Group Engaged in Illegal Political Activities | Montana Free Press". The Montana Free Press. 2018-03-12. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
- ^ "Sundance '18: Kimberly Reed shines light on "Dark Money"". Retrieved 2018-04-17.
- ^ Busch, Anita (2018-01-22). "'Dark Money' Exclusive Clip: Feature Doc Premieres At Sundance Tomorrow". Deadline. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
- ^ Harvey, Dennis (2018-04-04). "Film Review: 'Dark Money'". Variety. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
- ^ "Dark Money | 2018 Sundance Film Festival Review - IONCINEMA.com". www.ioncinema.com. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
- ^ Good Pitch : Dark Money, retrieved 2018-04-17
- ^ "dark-money". www.sundance.org. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
- ^ "Dark Money | Big Sky Documentary Film Festival". www.bigskyfilmfest.org. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
- ^ "Omaha Film Festival". omahafilmfestival.org. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
- ^ "'Dark Money' | Freep Film Festival". freepfilmfestival.com. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
- ^ "Women+Film Festival: Dark Money | Denver Film Society | Kimberly Reed | USA". secure.denverfilm.org. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
- ^ "Dark Money - Full Frame Documentary Film Festival". Full Frame Documentary Film Festival. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
External links
- Dark Money at IMDb