Social Education 76(4), pp 182–186 ©2012 National Council for the Social Studies Campaign Documentaries: Behind-the-Scenes Perspectives Make Useful Teaching Tools

David Wolfford

Over the last 20 years, independent filmmakers have produced insightful alcohol, while riding emotional ups and documentaries of high profile political campaigns with behind-the-scenes footage. downs into a slap-happiness that enter- These documentaries offer inside looks and unique perspectives on electoral politics. tains the viewer. This campaign season, consider The War Room; A Perfect Candidate; Journeys With All films follow a similar chronolo- George; Chisholm ’72; Street Fight; and By the People as effective teaching tools for gy—from the candidate’s announcement conveying the complex issues and events related to political campaigns and elections. through the election—with a competi- tive narrative. A Perfect Candidate and Each of the above mentioned films are and TV advertising, while containing Street Fight, which covers a Newark artifacts of modern American political conflict, suspense, and emotional twists. mayoral race, sum up and analyze less- history. They reveal the intricacies of The films illustrate the rigors of cam- er-known elections, drawing students our electoral institutions, are worthy paigning, the irregular lifestyle, and the in as they look toward the resolution. of review and discussion in political personalities who take up the cause. If you find suspense a useful hook in science or other social studies classes, In both The War Room, which cap- your class, ask students to refrain from and can also help teachers cover state tures Bill Clinton’s 1992 run, and A Googling the election’s outcome until and national standards. As social studies Perfect Candidate, which follows Oli- the film is over. film specialist William Russell has noted, ver North’s 1994 Senate bid, campaign Some films include comic relief. movies elicit thoughtful questions, staff scarf down snacks on the go and Journeys with George, Alexandra “can increase student interest…[and] consume impromptu meals when pos- Pelosi’s portrayal of George W. Bush’s help evoke meaningful inquiry of sible. The War Room casts the odd 2000 quest for office, is a light-hearted topics, which allows students to make couple of strategist James Carville, a.k.a look at the race and at Bush. Journalists insightful decisions.” Marcus and the “Ragin’ Cajun,” and communica- poke fun at the candidates and at each Stoddard suggest films for “promoting tions director George Stephanopoulos. other. When Bush lets his guard down reasoned judgment, preparing citizens Protagonist Carville, “the bright kid and puts on a show for reporters, Pelosi for democracy, and deliberating the who doesn’t quite fit in socially but films him: on the campaign airplane common good.”1 I would add that high whose talents cannot be denied,” shifts blindfolded, bowling with oranges, and school students require vivid, real life from determined strategist to jolly on- exaggerating his Texas swagger. examples and colorful characters to looker to vengeful Clinton advocate.2 Much like parallel Hollywood explain complicated electoral concepts. Stephanopoulos serves as his reasoned, features, such as The Candidate and coolheaded sidekick. In A Perfect Can- Bulworth, these documentaries point Film Analysis didate, Mark Goodin, Ollie North’s to scandal, the marketing of candidates, The highlighted movies convey famil- campaign manager, is an intense per- the money game, and other bitter iar people and institutions, provide sonality who smokes, drinks, curses, campaign pills that disillusion citizens. examples of polling, image making, the and charms. He and his associates run Hypocrisy is exposed and the “best media’s role, campaign staff, debates, on minimal sleep, a little nicotine and candidate” doesn’t always win. This

Social Education 182 cynicism may be overplayed, according is a colorful and inspiring presentation mouthed” and “manic.”4 Street Fight’s to R.J. Cutler who helped create both that covers New York Congresswoman Marshall Curry, on the other hand, The War Room and A Perfect Candidate. Shirley Chisholm’s quest for the planned his account of the 2002 He admits, “It’s hard to believe I would Democratic presidential nomination. Newark mayoral campaign in a vérité walk away uncynical of the process”; Producer Shola Lynch catalogues style, but found narration necessary for yet he contends our election system is Chisholm’s story with a mix of historical context. Curry’s is a more subtle role—a a good one, regardless of how the films footage and recent interviews, while victim of incumbent Mayor Sharpe might be received.3 James’s goons—while challenger Unlike classic informative Cory Booker’s fight in Newark documentary—with talking heads bare-knuckle politics remains the and stock footage—these faster- primary tale. paced, contemporary, independent films are more appealing to student Selecting the Right Film viewers. I particularly notice In selecting the right film for your increased attentiveness with films class, consider appropriateness, shot and produced in the cinéma perspective, and the election de- vérité style. Literally meaning picted. The films are generally ap- “cinema truth,” cinema vérité is propriate for high school students characterized by up-close-and- and have only mild adult themes personal shots, no narration, and and occasional adult language. no obvious filmmaker interference, Two movies touch on sex scan- making the audience feel involved, dals. In the opening minutes of as if events are unfolding in the The War Room, a reporter cheek- here and now. Filmmakers avoid ily asks former Clinton mistress narration and interviews to provide Gennifer Flowers at a press confer- a sense of real time chronology of ence, “Did Governor Clinton use a subjects who disregard the camera. condom?” In A Perfect Candidate, Viewers tend to forget that they are Virginia Senator Chuck Robb’s watching something that has been indiscretions become an issue and recorded, edited, and discussed. his mistress becomes a Playboy Verité classics include Primary cover girl. At one point in Journeys (1961), a look at the Kennedy- With George, the press bus slowly Humphrey Wisconsin primary passes a demonstrator mooning election, and Don’t Look Back the convoy with “Raise Minimum (1967), which follows Bob Dylan’s Wage” printed on his posterior. last acoustic tour in England. D.A. maintaining viewer attention with split Foul language can be heard to some de- Pennebaker worked on both of these screens and a funky score à la 1972. gree in all these films because it can be films. It is fitting, then, that Pennebaker Street Fight and Journeys With heard in the backrooms of all campaigns. and his wife Chris Hegedus pioneered George are vérité-leaning, however, None earned an R rating. If such scenes the modern campaign film withThe their filmmakers interact with the raise concern at your school, consider War Room. More recently, lighter digital subject, read voiceover, and become parental permission forms or cautiously equipment has opened the door for part of the story. Both include pre- skip the rare offensive segment. other documentarians to capture their arranged interviews and impromptu In addition to governing the subjects and present them in the vérité conversations. Alexandra Pelosi recalls appropriate, teachers should strive for style. A Perfect Candidate and By the that George W. Bush, “realized he was accuracy and consider objectivity in film. People, which follows Barack Obama’s either going to be the butt of the joke or These documentaries use entirely real quest for the presidency, followed suit. the star of the show. So he decided to be footage, talk to real people, and are thus The other three films under review the star.” In reality, Bush is at times the realistic. Don Baker, The Washington are performance documentaries, where butt of the joke while Pelosi competes Post reporter who plays the ref in A either the filmmaker’s artistic creation for the star role, injecting herself into Perfect Candidate, says of its directors’ is central to the movie’s appeal, or the story and briefly highlighting her commitment to accuracy, “I think they the filmmaker appears in the film. developing romance with another scored ‘A Perfect 10.’”5 Collectively, Chisholm ’72: Unbought and Unbossed reporter. One review labels her “motor candidates’ post-election critiques

September 2012 183 of these films have fallen short of allowed them with cameras, in the Little proving any factual misrepresentations Rock headquarters.8 While trying to and instead sound more like general film Street Fight, Marshall Curry was complaints of unsatisfactory media denied entrance to events by the James coverage. Though accurate, each campaign and was often harassed by Student tells a story with a viewpoint. We James's security detail when attempting must remember that independent to film at a park or public event. Questions filmmakers are not beat reporters and Is it better to show a presidential most documentaries don’t purport to campaign or a different campaign? be front-page journalism. “[C]riticizing Chisholm ‘72, War Room, Journeys documentary films for their lack of With George, and By the People focus What are the candidates’ names and objectivity is akin to lambasting an on presidential contests, while A party affiliations? How does the film editorial because it is not a ‘just the Perfect Candidate and Street Fight introduce the candidate(s)? facts’ news story,” says Diana Hess. A showcase down-ballot contests. The film’s noticeable slant should not rule presidential campaign films show the How does the filmmaker treat the it out for class, but should rather offer stages and institutions of our national different candidates? teachable moments in media literacy. elections: the primary system, national Marcus and Stoddard agree that these conventions, and the Electoral College. What candidates’ positions reveal perspectives “should not be eschewed There are obvious benefits to showing their party ideology? Do they ever or removed but highlighted and one of these during the fall of 2012. deviate from party doctrine? examined.”6 Absolute objectivity in film At the same time, many students and choice is essentially unattainable, but it citizens ignore state and local elections Who are the base supporters for these could be a good idea to choose a film and this is a good opportunity to teach candidates? What motivates them? that will counterbalance other sources about them. Street Fight successfully or perspectives in your course. conveys urban machine politics in a Describe the televised debate. How These movies veer from journalistic non-partisan municipal election. A did candidates perform? What was purity, but are fair to their subjects— Perfect Candidate shows how statewide discussed? typically more favorable to the star Senate candidates must take national candidate—and are shaped by the issues to unique local constituencies. In How do the campaigns create and utilize TV commercials? What strategy filmmaker’s access to the campaigns. It both, candidates encounter electoral do they follow? would be difficult for Alexandra Pelosi, subgroups, donors, and hecklers. daughter of former House Speaker All six documentaries expose What election laws, customs or Nancy Pelosi, and herself “an avowed students to different people and unusual procedures are discussed? liberal” according to Time magazine, to circumstances. Marcus et al. contend treat Bush without bias. Entertainment that the social studies classroom is “the What campaign localities seemed Weekly correctly called Shola Lynch’s proper place to experience people … important to the candidates? Why? Chisholm ’72 an “unadulterated [different from ourselves] to seek to valentine to her late subject.” New York understand ‘the other.’”9 These movies Describe the interaction between the magazine declared that By the People, examine people and issues in other campaigns and the media/reporters. which shows Obama’s climb from times, in other places, and in other candidate to president, “is not a warts- professions. Chisholm ’72 focuses on Which candidate would you vote for and-all political exposé.” 7 a unique candidate in a unique era. and why? The one-sidedness of these movies Lynch conveys Shirley Chisholm’s is often a consequence of the opposing challenges as the first black woman What did you learn from the behind- campaign’s refusal to grant interview in two traditionally white men’s clubs, the-scenes perspective? access to the filmmakers. Nearly all Congress and presidential politics. producers set out to film two or more Chisholm recounts how she faced What would you like to know more campaigns but were forced to focus on ridicule in Congress and dangers on the about regarding this documentary? the one candidate who cooperated. No campaign trail. Chisholm had no chance campaigns gave unlimited access. The at the Democratic nomination, but by producers of The War Room titled it so mid-1972 she had earned her right as “a because, for much of the 1992 campaign, broker” at the convention. She also put a that’s the only place the Clinton team crack in the glass ceiling for both Barack

Social Education 184 Obama and Hillary Clinton. Street Fight provides a look at Mayor Campaign Documentaries James’s supporters hassling Curry and will generate an interesting discussion about freedom of the press and other civil The War Room (1993) Run time: 1 Hour, 37 Min. (97 min.); Rated: PG liberties violations. Pelosi’s Journeys Producers: Chris Hegedus and D.A. Pennebaker With George is as much a commentary In The War Room Democratic strategist James Carville and communications director on the traveling press corps as it is on George Stephanopoulos guide Bill Clinton from the New Hampshire primary through George W. Bush. Viewers will begin to his November victory. understand the demands and challenges Website Resources: The American Presidency Project, www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ for travelling journalists. One reporter’s index.php, and www.presidency.ucsb.edu/showelection.php?year=1992 wife gives birth to their baby while he is on the campaign trail. By the People will A Perfect Candidate (1996) Run Time: 1 hour, 45 min. (105 min.); Not Rated help today’s students better understand Directors: R.J. Cutler and David Van Taylor their current president, first lady, and Lt. Col. Oliver North rose to infamy and celebrity in the mid-1980s as Congress inves- the current presidential election. It casts tigated the Iran-Contra scandal. In 1994, he reemerged to challenge Virginia Senator Team Obama’s inner circle of David Chuck Robb. Neither was A Perfect Candidate. Axelrod, David Plouffe, and Robert Website Resources: Encyclopedia Virginia, www.encyclopediavirginia.org/ Gibbs, who will be familiar faces on Robb_Charles_S_1939; Our Campaigns, www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail. the news in October. By the People will html?RaceID=3454 enhance student understanding of both Journeys With George (2002) 2008 and 2012. Run time: 1 hour, 19 min. (79 min.); Not Rated Producer: Alexandra Pelosi Teaching Campaign Documentaries In Journeys With George, Alexandra Pelosi follows Texas governor George W. Bush I recall the legacy of a veteran teacher’s throughout the 2000 campaign against Al Gore. rather passive use of classroom video Website Resources: 2000 Presidential Election, www.2000presidentialelection. during the early Betamax era. “Here’s a com/; The Livingroom Candidate, www.livingroomcandidate.org movie about World War II,” he would Chisholm ’72: Unbought and Unbossed (2004) introduce, “Let’s watch it.” The tape Run time: 1 hour, 17 min. (77 min.); Not Rated didn’t stop for three days. Classroom Producer: Shola Lynch viewing requires a more calculated “I wanted you to get to know ’72 presidential politics through her eyes and through approach. Russell suggests a four-stage [Shirley Chisholm’s] story,” says Lynch of Chisholm ’72. Her film does just that while method: prepare, preview, watch, and highlighting the DNC’s nomination procedures, the Miami convention, Nixon, and assign a culminating activity. Whether McGovern. you subscribe to Russell’s model or your Website Resources: PBS, www.pbs.org/pov/chisholm/; Black Americans in Con- gress, baic.house.gov/member-profiles/profile.html?intID=24 own, proper planning and execution will keep the students on task and enhance Street Fight (2005) the film’s effectiveness. Run time: 1 hour, 26 min. (86 min.); Not Rated The highlighted films are available Director: Marshall Curry in public libraries and for purchase “There’s an old joke in Newark,” Curry narrates, “that an incumbent only leaves office online. Preview the selected movie in death or conviction.” Viewers will understand this as they watch rising political star in advance with a notepad or laptop Cory Booker challenge corrupt incumbent Mayor Sharpe James. handy. Anticipate student questions Website Resources: PBS, www.pbs.org/pov/streetfight/; IMDb, www.imdb.com/ name/nm2490944/bio and generate some of your own. Select a few points at which to stop the film By the People: The Election of Barack Obama (2009) for discussion or to add context. Note Run Time: 1 hour, 56 min. (116 min.); Not Rated the counter numbers. High school Directors: Amy Rice and Alicia Sams students today do not know about By the People presents Barack Obama’s quest for the presidency. There’s an emphasis Shirley Chisholm, Iran-Contra, or on the Obama family, Iowa and New Hampshire, Hillary Clinton, and the candidate’s Hillary Clinton’s “3am Phone Call” unique story. Website Resources: CNN, www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/president/; The commercial. Since instructional time is New York Times, elections.nytimes.com/2008/results/president/map.html; Open typically limited, decide if it is worth Secrets, www.opensecrets.org/pres08/ showing the entire film or only parts.

September 2012 185 Do a little math to see what logically students how even “cinema truth” fits into your one, two, or three-day can be misleading. plan. Spend 10 to 15 minutes introducing Conclusion the film, emphasizing the key players, From The War Room to By the People, Meets events, and vocabulary terms. A modern campaign documentaries COMMON CORE substantial introduction will also provide the social studies teacher Standards and Fosters set a favorable tone and legitimize colorful characters, handy examples, ST the film beyond mere “filler.” These and compelling narratives that can 21 CENTURY SKILLS works will hold student attention assist in conveying electoral politics. better than most documentaries, Whatever the film, consider a Textual Analysis but students still need incentives. systematic approach that assures Perhaps type a “Cast of Characters” student attention and understanding. Critical inking handout to distribute. Have students answer questions on paper or in your Multiple occasional class discussion. I typically Notes Perspectives include a few on my tests. Consider 1. William Benedict Russell III, Teaching Social Issues with Film (Charlotte, N.C.: Information Age, Global an accompanying assessment and 2009), 2; Alan S. Marcus and Jeremy D. Stoddard, foreshadow it before hitting the “The Inconvenient Truth about Teaching History Awareness with Documentary Film: Strategies for Presenting play button, like comparing the film Multiple Perspectives and Teaching Controversial Collaboration to a printed primary source from Issues,” The Social Studies (Nov/Dec 2009): 281. a different perspective, assigning 2. Richard Schnickel, “Cinema,” Time (Nov. 8, Creativity and Innovation 1993): 84. a movie review, or conducting a 3. R.J. Cutler on Morning Edition, National Public Civic Literacy classroom role play or mock debate. Radio, Sept. 7, 2000. I find it useful to freeze the video 4. James Poniewozik, “Seduction at 40,000 Feet,” Time (Nov. 11, 2002). at predetermined points. When a 5. Don Baker, interview and correspondence with public opinion poll appears on the author, 2007. screen, discuss numbers and polling 6. Diana Hess, “From Banished to Brother Outsider, Miss Navajo to An Inconvenient Truth: methodology. Pausing immediately Documentary Films as Perspective-Laden after a reporter asks a question will Narratives,” Social Education 71, no. 4 (May/June allow for a discussion of political 2007): 194-95; Marcus and Stoddard, 282. 7. James Poniewozik and Sam Adams, “Chisholm journalism, the nature of press ’72,” Entertainment Weekly (March 4, 2005): questions, and how a candidate or 58-59; Logan Hill, “Conversation: All-Access Obama,” New York (Nov. 1, 2009): 71. staffer might spin the answer. Most 8. D.A. Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus interview, A films devote several minutes to Perfect Candidate, (Criterion, 2004) DVD Election Day scenes. Stop the disc Feature. 9. Alan S. Marcus, Scott Alan Metzger, Richard J. THE and have students cast a vote on a Patterson, and Jeremy D. Stoddard, Teaching simulated ballot or scrap sheet of History with Film: Strategies for Secondary Social Studies (New York: Routledge, Taylor, and Francis, CHOICES paper. Call on volunteers to explain 2010), 31-32. PROGRAM or defend their vote. When the film ends, compare the class vote against at Brown University the real vote. This usually provides David Wolfford teaches Advanced Place- ment Government and Politics at Mariemont High Curriculum Resources a good segue into a conversation School, Cincinnati, Ohio. He is a James Madison for High School about filmmakers’ choices and Fellow, and a National Board certified teacher, and perspective. Why might viewers has served as an AP Reader. He has also covered Social Studies campaigns and elections for Cincinnati newspapers hold different opinions than the and national magazines. actual electorate at the time? These filmmakers reportedly shot and Visit our web site spliced between 70 and 200 hours of footage. Because these films seem This article may contain copyrighted images used like all-inclusive, behind-the-scenes here under the educational fair use exemption to WWW.CHOICES.EDU the U.S. copyright law. For more information go to: productions, educators must remind http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml Explore the Past, Shape the Future

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