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A True Political Satire Unfolds in Iowa
July 11, 2014 Leave a Comment
This week on Director’s Cut it is my pleasure to welcome the very talented Grace Lee, director of “Janeane From Des Moines.” This is a unique look into the 2012 Republican caucuses in Iowa through the eyes of Janeane Wilson, a housewife played by Jane Edith Wilson. This is a film you won’t want to miss because of Wilson’s portrayal of the troubled Janeane and some deft storytelling by Lee and Wilson who co-wrote the script.
‘Janeane’ is a genre hybrid. The film is scripted and improvised but shot documentary style which will keep viewers guessing for the first 30 minutes, at least those viewers who don’t read this blog.
A staunch conservative, Janeane searches for a candidate to throw her support behind in the 2012 election. The film is engaging from the start when Diane Sawyer throws to a clip of Janeane talking with Mitt Romney. She manages to talk with just about every candidate in the race without breaking character and even gets a sit down with Michelle Bachman. As the story progresses, Janeane’s life unravels and she struggles with her beliefs and political ideology. Political leanings aside, you find yourself really rooting for this conflicted character.
Grace Lee is an accomplished filmmaker with a diverse and award-winning track record. Her credits also include “The Grace Lee Project” and her most recent film, “American Revolutionary: The Evolution of Grace Lee Boggs” which premiered nationally on POV on Wisconsin Public Television last month. In case you’re wondering, I do confront Lee about the fact that she has two films with her own name in the title. I don’t back down from the tough questions!
Lee is a director to keep an eye on and you can start by watching my interview with her and then “Janeane From Des Moines” on Director’s Cut Presents tonight at 10 on Wisconsin Public Television. Hope you can watch!
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Rick says:
7/12/14 I would be nice if the movie broadcast didn’t cut off at 11:24 p.m. obviously before the conclusion
Ricki Bishop says:
I feel so bad for Janeane. She had faith in her politicians, but none really offered any concrete solutions. I think politicians need to be trained on current programs if they really want to make an impression on people who will be voting. I would be much more impressed if even a staffer were able to refer her to a resource center.