Like all of you, we at Brave New Films have been distraught and furious as the revelations of corruption in Congress have unfolded. The size and scope of this corruption, and its impact on all our lives, is enormous. So of course, several months ago we began to discuss doing a film on the topic. Then, to our great relief and pleasure, we found that two very talented guys from Texas, Mark Birnbaum and Jim Schermbeck, were close to finishing a documentary called THE BIG BUY: HOW TOM DELAY STOLE CONGRESS. THE BIG BUY connects the dots between corporate power, dirty money elections and corruption. One thing quickly led to another, and now...
We're excited and proud to announce that Brave New Films will be distributing THE BIG BUY. Read more about the film in tomorrow's New York Times, or watch the teaser trailer.
What that really means is, all of you, who have made UNCOVERED, OUTFOXED and WAL-MART possible, will be called upon to use your energy, your anger and your smarts, to let the world know what really happened in Texas and Washington, D.C. Your success in getting the truth out about Fox News, Wal-Mart, and the reasons the U.S. went to war, has been amazing. And, we're asking you again to join with us once again in a battle for truth and demcoracy, using THE BIG BUY as a tool for change. As with the other films, your ideas, plans and creative ways to use the film or organize around it will be needed and welcomed..
We need your help to make sure this film is seen. Please order your copy now. Your early support and DVD orders will allow Brave New Films to continue our work in organizing and educating for social change. As you know, we are working outside the standard distribution system with our films, so your support is crucial to our continuing success.
Jim and Mark have spent more than three years of their lives shooting and editing THE BIG BUY, financing the production out of their own pockets. The result of their tireless work, commitment and personal sacrifice is a must-see film -- one that reveals exactly how and why large corporations have used Tom DeLay to advance their national agendas of greed. They've supported him with barrels of money, which ultimately led to the re-districting that gave Republicans dominance in the House of Representatives. This dominance led to the passage of CAFTA, the Energy Bill and federal budgets which have helped DeLay and his corporate supporters at the expense of all of us. (If you have any doubt about the implications of the rise of corporate power and its effect on our democratic institutions, please get a hold of the book, The People's Business: Controlling Corporations and Restoring Democracy, by Charlie Cray, Ralph Nader and Lee Drutman. All of us at Brave New Films have been deeply affected by its analysis of the battles that lie ahead.)
While DeLay is from Texas, his corrupt practices are a national issue. The filmmakers, with their deep roots in Texas, have keyed in on that state's political culture. However DeLay's corrupt practices are not specific to the Lone Star State, and this film should be seen as a warning to all of us. As Ronnie Earle says in the film, "It's not about Democrats and Republicans; it's about cops and robbers."
We're announcing the film tomorrow -- the day of DeLay's primary victory -- to let him know that he's not going to escape the crimes that he has committed. In early May, we plan to have a red carpet gala world premiere in Houston at the Angelika Film Center.
We're confident that THE BIG BUY, like our other films, can be effective in uniting issue-oriented groups across the country to work for broader change. We know we will never win if we focus just on single issues (see the new book Crashing the Gate: Netroots, Grassroots, and the Rise of People-Powered Politics by Jerome Armstrong and Markos Moulitsas Zuniga, for compelling evidence of this). We believe this film can follow in the tradition of UNCOVERED, OUTFOXED and WAL-MART, to help unite many groups in battle for a truly democratic government.
And YES, we're hoping you will host a screening of the film. If you're interested, you can let us know on the website and we'll keep you in the loop. We're going to do them in June, about a month after the DVD comes out, so there is plenty of time for everyone to get the DVDs, watch them, and make plans.
Please use the comments below to discuss how Tom DeLay's regime has impacted your life and the country. His stated goal was literally to dismantle the federal government, watch the trailer, it's a stunner.
Thanks for the post, Craig. It was indeed an error.
As we were completing the film, DeLay announced his withdrawal from the House race. Jim Schermbeck and I stopped what we were doing and scrambled to shoot new material with Jim Hightower,who helped put DeLay's pullout into perspective. We added 7 minutes to the film about "the House the Tom Built," focusing on Blunt, Ney, Doolittle and Boehner, and managed to get the DVD out about three weeks later.
We failed to pick up the error in the rush to get the film on the street. The theatrical version, which we had a little more time with, correctly indicates Ney is from Ohio, where he presumably will be incarcerated.
Yours in peace,
Mark Birnbaum
Producer/Director, The Big Buy: Tom DeLay's Stolen Congress
I just watched The Big Buy & thought it was an excellent film. I noticed that it incorrectly identified Bob Ney as a California republican. I believe he's actually a Ohio republican. Other than that, I found the movie to be flawless. Great Job!
It is excellent. Every Christian in Texas should see this film. "ye shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
I would love to be able to get your film: THE BIG BUY announced on the Nielsen EDI Release Calendar - which goes out to all major media (NY Times, LA Times, VARIETY, Etc). ( months ago Variety actually commented that since the "WAL-MART'" documentary was not listed on the Nielsen Release Calendar - it may not be opening...). I think your films are important - and I would like to be able to list them. Please contact me: Tricia Kiley, Nielsen EDI 323.860.4600.
The issue is: To demand publicly financed elections on all levels of government in the United Stated.
This is the solution that should be pushed, both on TV (mo matter what Colbert says) and in your film.
The 1995 Telecommunications Act gave our common airwaves away for free (thanks to Clinton) to the giant media corporations.
The TV corporations, therefore, should be supplying free TV time to all candidates for public office.
This would take away a lot of the financial corruption inherent to the political process in this country.
The trailer looks amazing! Another job well done.
http://media.familyrights.us/expose/ExposeV2005.pdf
Here is where the FAKE FALSIFIED PHONY FOSTER CARE FATALITY DEATH REPORTS were turned in ..............good news though for Corrutpers! Tom DeLay and Senske the head of Lutheran Social Services showed up on June 6, 2004, uninvited to DC to thwarth a Congressional Investigation! * Lutheran Social Services is biggest State contractor in Texas for Foster Care! Hope Lutheran Social Service boys didn't get gas on flight to Russia!
Do you want the FAKE FALSIFIED PHONY FATALITY REPORTS posted too!
Or Do you want to know where the Life insurance on the Foster Children was put into Legislation! Bet you won't find it! Then Amended 500% higher a few months later in 99! Oh, where is the extra money going cuz them sorry funerals sure don't cost much!
Where is the insurable interest of politically connected group foster homes if State pays the bills ,.............just wondering!
Heck, here is the legislation! Don't tell on them though!
http://www.ita.doc.gov/hrm/fegli.html
Option C near end!
Then upped 500% Republican Way! http://www.opm.gov/asd/htm/1999/bal99-212.htm
* Happy Corrupter Day! Don't forget to Vote on UNELECTION DAY!
Hi Robert,
I'm the singer of a liberal band called Days Drive...and our band has written a song about Tom Delay called "Break the Cycle." Check it out sometime at myspace.com/daysdrive/ We thought you might find it entertaining.
We also can't wait for your Tom Delay film to come out. Being from Houston, it is frustrating that this guy was able to redraw congressional lines so that politicians could pick their voters, instead of voters picking their politicians.
And cannot wait for the Tom DeLay film to come out. And DeLay did steal Congress. Are you going to do a documentary on Jack Abramoff?
Robert, The documentary film crew here at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church in Kansas City, Missouri have shown all of your films and each one had set a new attendence record.
Two suggestions: On the Wal-Mart film, parts of it were very difficult to understand when convesation and music were playing in the background with voice over. It would be more effective if the voice-over was distracted by background noise. Also many of the overlayed captions were in white often on a light colored background which made it impossible to read. The captions should be in yellow with a black border around the type.
Keep up the great work and we'll keep showing and promoting it.
In the words of George Clooney, "I don't mind being called a liberal because you don't have to put the word compassionate in front of it."