Out of Competition

WELLSTONE!



Laurie Stern, Lu Lippold, Dan Luke

Country of production: USA
Year: 2003/04
Language: English
Mins: 88

Production company: Hard Working Pictures, Carry It Forward Productions
Producer: Pam Colby
Script: Laurie Stern
Cinematography: Bob Durland, Ed Matney
Editing: Dan Luke, Lu Lippold
Sound: Jeff Sylvestre
Music: Jeff Sylvestre, Dean Magraw, Bruce Springsteen

Source: Carry It Forward Productions
2395 University Ave., W.
St. Paul, MN 55114, USA
Tel.: 651-641-0792
Fax: 651-641-8573
dan@hwpics.com

In these bleak times, progressives may find some comfort in celebrating their heroes. Few champions of progressive values touched as many lives as the late Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone and his amazing wife Sheila who, tragically, died in a plane crash only 11 days before the 2002 election. This invigorating film uses rare home video and archival footage as well as interviews with the couple’s close friends, family, and staff, to illustrate the indelible mark Wellstone left on the U.S. Senate and the scope of political discussion in America. Funny, charismatic, idealistic yet pragmatic, Wellstone believed that politics could be a source of power for ordinary citizens. Wellstone! follows a rough chronology of his career as he moved from Carleton college professor to greenhorn senator to national leader. It provides insight into his worldview and passion for justice by examining his upbringing. No hagiography, it examines his learning curve by looking at some of his mistakes and missed opportunities. Most crucially, it keeps his legacy alive by showing that that change only happens when people organize, work together, and fight for what they believe in.


Laurie Stern has written and produced in-depth reports for CBS, NBC, and PBS affiliates for the past 17 years. Her documentary work has taken her around the world and has appeared on the Discovery Network, MSNBC, National Public Radio, and other broadcast and cable outlets. She has received numerous awards including an Emmy. Her filmography include THE IRON RANGE (1997).

Dan Luke is an Emmy award-winning editor, producer and graphic designer. Currently President of Hard Working Pictures, he has 25 year experience with public television. As an independent he has worked with labor unions, corporations, non-profits, political candidates and with such far-flung organizations such as Internews Kazahkstan and the Zapatista Liberation Army. His filmography includes AFRICATREK (1998).

Lu Lippold: Since 1991, Lu Lippold has been producing and directing award-winning documentaries and short films for numerous clients. Her independent documentaries and television segments have been distributed nationally and internationally. Her filmography includes THE UNAPOLOGETIC LIFE OF MARGARET RANDALL (2001) and BIRTH STORIES (1994).

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