Write-up provided by the creators of UnRepresented
Contact: Sara Needham: O 510.280.3311, C 415.290.1121, sara@filmpath.com
Opportunities for Democracy Reforms in Virginia: A revelatory documentary and panel discussion about political corruption & reforms to end it
Richmond, VA: We are pleased to announce UnRepresented will show at a special screening event to kick-off a lively discussion about current democracy reform efforts in Richmond, VA featuring panelists Delegate Sam Rasoul and author Jeff Thomas, among others. The event will take place on January 28th, 2020 from 6-8pm at the Commons Theater at Virginia Commonwealth University. This will be the film’s first stop on a State Capital Tour across the country.
UnRepresented is a new, award-winning documentary that reveals the mechanisms that drive the cycle of corruption in Congress—giving political insiders enormous, unchecked power. The film explores how special interests bankroll political campaigns and relentlessly lobby to rig the system in their favor, all while following the letter of the law.
Featuring luminaries and leaders including Harvard Law Professor Lawrence Lessig and sitting member of Congress Rep. Justin Amash, UnRepresented reveals the powerful possibilities to reform our government to better represent the people and serves as a rallying call to bring people together across partisan lines.
Moderated by the film’s Executive Producer, Andrew Rodney, the event’s discussion will focus on current state-led reform initiatives to end the power and influence of big money that has long-gripped Virginia politics. The panel will feature Virginia Del. Sam Rasoul; Jeff Thomas, author of The Virginia Way: Democracy and Power after 2016; Liz White, Deputy Director of OneVirginia2021; Elizabeth Melson, President of FairVote Virginia; and Nancy Morgan of the Virginia chapter of American Promise.
“I never expected when I started this film that it would impact my political views as profoundly as it has and give my crew and I such great hope for reform. We’re thrilled for the opportunity to share this story with policymakers, students, and advocates in Richmond, VA.” said Daniel Falconer, the film’s Director.
Detroit Documentary Productions is an independent film production company in Michigan led by Executive Producer Andrew Rodney and Director Daniel Falconer. The filmmaking team last produced Deforce, an award-winning documentary about Detroit’s turbulent history that Ken Burns said, “brought the ceaseless trials of Motown to light as never before.”
The event is co-organized with the Virginia Swamp Busters, a platform dedicated to dialogue among grassroots organizations promoting democracy reform bills. This includes the Virginia Chapter of American Promise, which promotes legislation to get big money out of politics and Virginia members of RepresentUs, a national organization dedicated to passing anti-corruption laws to stop political bribery, end secret money, and fix our broken elections.