You make the call. As the L.A. Times notes, actors and directors are mingling with delegates and politicians at the Republican National Convention. And several films will screen during the course of the week. On Sunday night, An American Carol--which was written with a grant from MPI and directed by MPI Creative Council member David Zucker-- screened. On Monday, it was The Black List, all about "influential African-Americans." Today's showing is I.O.U.S.A., a critically acclaimed doc about fiscal irresponsibility in American government. And tomorrow it will be Trouble the Water, an eerily timely film about Hurricane Katrina, along with docs about 9/11 and Obama.
The key point here is that increasingly film is the best way to convey ideas and to shape sensibilities. It's a lot easier to watch a movie than to read a book--and films can appeal to audiences on so many more levels than written material or talking head-type debate can. Here's to the convention organizers for getting it--and here's to the success of each of these films.