PBS to Premiere Political Thriller Documentary DARK MONEY

Your vote can be bought, but at what cost? Dark Money follows local Montana journalist John S. Adams, who is determined to uncover the truth about funding in his state's elections. The film gains insights over the course of three election cycles, as it solves an increasingly complicated and blurred puzzle. Dark Money traces Adams' steps and sheds light on the grassroots movement to unveil the mysterious financing behind our elections.

Dark Money has its national broadcast and streaming debut on the PBS documentary series POV and pov.org on Monday, October 1 at 10 p.m. (check local listings). POV is American television's longest-running independent documentary series, now in its 31st season.

This award-winning independent film offers numerous perspectives on dark money donations-the unlimited campaign contributions from undisclosed donors, individuals and corporations, that have been allowed since the 2010 Supreme Court ruling on Citizens United. "Dark money is the advertising where you don't know who's paying for the ads," explains Llew Jones, a Montana state senator. "We've just simply got to hold these up and say, 'Who is paying for this? What are they attempting to buy?'"

Filmmaker Kimberly Reed, whose family has lived in Montana for four generations, dives into these questions specifically as they regard the state. "People in this state had a good sense of history about the excesses of capitalism, because that's essentially what it is. It's in your face here. You can't really ignore that," says Cheri Maclean, a Montana voter.

In Montana, many of the voices against dark money are Republican. Debra Bonogofsky, a small business owner running for the Montana State House of Representatives on a campaign that promotes "fiscal responsibility" and small government, considers resisting dark money groups a matter of integrity: "If you don't vote the way they want you to vote in the legislature they will target you the next primary," she says, "even if you're a conservative Republican."

John S. Adams, former capital bureau chief for the Great Falls Tribune and creator of the Montana Free Press, is the leading investigator featured in the film. He notes that when campaigns can receive unlimited sums from anonymous donors, hidden from public scrutiny, the consequences are clear: "Then it's not the people controlling the government-it's the government controlled by a corporation controlling the people, which is like super-crazy Big Brother, but it's happening." The film draws parallels between the local influence of dark money in Montana and the effects of CORPORATE political spending on a national scale.




"This film will keep you on the edge of your seat," said Justine Nagan, executive producer/executive director of POV/American Documentary. "Dark Money gives you a glimpse into what many of the most powerful people and groups don't want you to see. It also gives voice to the many pioneers on both sides of the aisle in the crusade against unlimited, anonymous campaign contributions. In the run-up to yet another pivotal election season, this film is an important work examining some of the most crucial pillars of our democracy."

About the Filmmaker:
Kimberly Reed, Director/Producer
Kimberly Reed's work has been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, NPR, The Moth and in Details magazine. One of Filmmaker Magazine's "25 New Faces of Independent Film," she directed and produced Prodigal Sons, which landed on many best of the year lists, screened at more than 100 film festivals and garnered 14 audience and jury awards, including a FIPRESCI Prize. Reed was recognized as one of Out magazine's "OUT100" and was number one on Towleroad's "Best LGBT Characters of the Film Year" list. She also produced, edited and wrote Paul Goodman Changed My Life and produced The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson. Reed is a fourth-generation Montanan.

Credits:
Director: Kimberly Reed
Producer: Kimberly Reed, Katy Chevigny

Executive Producers: Michael Bloom, Adam Pincus, Nancy Stephens, Rick Rosenthal, David J. Cornfield, Linda A. Cornfield
Co-Executive Producer: Katy Drake Bettner
Cinematography by: Kimberly Reed, Eric Phillips-Horst, Jay Arthur Sterrenberg
Editor: Jay Arthur Sterrenberg
Original Score by: Miriam Cutler
Executive Producers for POV: Justine Nagan, Chris White

About POV:
Produced by American Documentary, Inc., POV is public television's premier showcase for nonfiction films. Since 1988, POV has been the home for the world's boldest contemporary filmmakers, celebrating intriguing personal stories that spark conversation and inspire action. Always an innovator, POV discovers fresh new voices and creates interactive experiences that shine a light on social issues and elevate the art of storytelling. With our documentary broadcasts, original online programming and dynamic community engagement campaigns, we are committed to supporting films that capture the imagination and present diverse perspectives.

POV films have won 37 Emmy® Awards, 21 George Foster Peabody Awards, 12 Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Awards, three Academy Awards®, the first-ever George Polk Documentary Film Award and the Prix Italia. The POV series has been honored with a Special News & Documentary Emmy Award for Excellence in Television Documentary Filmmaking, three IDA Awards for Best Curated Series and the National Association of Latino Independent Producers Award for CORPORATE Commitment to Diversity. Learn more at www.pbs.org/pov/.

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