Acclaimed Political Documentary Series 'How Democracy Works Now' Announces Washington D.C. Screenings

Washington D.C. (PRWEB) April 22, 2010 -- We are pleased to announce an exclusive Washington D.C. tour of the critically acclaimed new documentary series How Democracy Works Now (http://www.howdemocracyworksnow.com/home), fresh from its national broadcast preview on HBO.

From May 12th to June 10th, eight remarkable films will have their theatrical premiere in downtown Washington. Two independent documentary filmmakers, Shari Robertson and Michael Camerini, spent six years filming inside Capitol Hill to create a set of cinema-verité documentaries that together trace the high and low points of the controversial quest for comprehensive immigration reform.

How Democracy Works Now was shot with unprecedented access to the dramas of back room negotiations and war room strategy sessions never seen by the public. Major Senators and Congressmen, influential lobbyists, small town grassroots leaders and the unsung heroes of Capitol Hill -- Congressional staffers -- are all vividly portrayed protagonists.

Each of the eight STORIES is a stand-alone feature film. Together, they trace the evolution of a complicated Grand Bargain, and the evolving roles of players on both sides. From the heady days before 9/11, through a year inside Senator Sam Brownback's office, to the competition between upstart House staffers and established Senate offices racing to design an immigration bill, the arc builds to the true story of the last great immigration legislative battles, led by Senator Ted Kennedy, of 2006 and 2007.

The HDWN series, directed and produced by Shari Robertson and Michael Camerini, premiered in March 2010 on HBO, and is currently touring the country in a series of national screenings that aim to encourage frank debate and, with their vivid portrayal of an era when bipartisanship was alive, dialogue on the health of our nation's political system.

Join us for an unflinching look at how America's democracy really works, and see it as so few do: on the big screen, and from the inside.

EVENT INFORMATION

Dates: May 12, 13, 20, 27, 28 June 3, 4, 10

Times: 7 PM, 9 PM

Location: Goethe Institut

812 7th Street NW (at I Street) Washington, D.C.

Metro: Gallery PL- Chinatown, exit to 7 Street

Tickets: http://www.howdemocracyworksnow.com/tickets

FILM SCHEDULE

Wednesday, May 12, 2010, 7:00 and 9:00 pm

The Game is On

August 2001, and everything seems possible. President Bush aligns with Senators Kennedy and Brownback as they set out to fix America¼s immigration system. After 9/11, momentum stalls as anti-immigrant sentiment grows, playing out on the local level in a fierce City Council election in Mason City, Iowa. Full Description: http://www.howdemocracyworksnow.com/story/the-game-is-on

Thursday, May 13, 2010 7:00 and 9:00 pm

Mountains and Clouds

As Senators Kennedy, Brownback, Feinstein, and Kyl join forces on a new Border Security Bill, Congressman Tom Tancredo calls one provision 'amnesty' and post-9/11 anti-immigration grassroots organizations come out in force. Senator Robert Byrd has a star turn, and Brownback begins to have doubts. Full Description: http://www.howdemocracyworksnow.com/story/mountains-and-clouds

Thursday, May 20, 2010 7:00 and 9:00 pm

Sam in the Snow

The intrigue around the creation of Homeland Security serves as the backdrop for a story about the personal cost of giving up the fight. Why does a powerful champion, Senator Sam Brownback, move away from an issue he has backed so publicly? Full Description: http://www.howdemocracyworksnow.com/story/sam-in-the-snow

Thursday, May 27, 2010 7:00 and 9:00 pm

The Kids Across the Hill

AZ Republican Congressmen Jim Kolbe and Jeff Flake, with their 20-something staffers Margaret and Becky, write their own radical immigration bill and derail the well-laid plans of the immigration advocates -- and Senate Democrats. Full Description: http://www.howdemocracyworksnow.com/story/the-kids-across-the-hill

Friday, May 28, 2010 7:00 and 9:00 pm

Marking Up the Dream

The Dream Act hopes to give kids who were brought to this country illegally, but completed high-school, a chance at in-state tuition and citizenship. Getting the bill through a Senate markup and on to the floor is an eye-opening lesson about back stage maneuvering and the power of staffers. Full Description: http://www.howdemocracyworksnow.com/story/marking-up-the-dream

Thursday, June 3, 2010 7:00 and 9:00 pm

TBA

Friday, June 4, 2010 7:00 and 9:00 pm

The Senate Speaks

Senator Kennedy battles to get his and McCain¼s bill to the Senate floor, where the real fight begins. But with the midterms so close, Senate leaders don¼t seem to want a bill. Advocates smell a double-cross and go public with an attack, as they partner with Kennedy and McCain to get the bill passed. Full Description: http://www.howdemocracyworksnow.com/story/the-senate-speaks

Thursday, June 10, 2010 7:00 and 9:00 pm

Last Best Chance (Director's Cut of HBO's The Senators' Bargain)

Inside the final Senate battle for Kennedy's dream of immigration reform, below the level of strategy and protocol, we find a moral tale of modern American politics. Senator Edward Kennedy now must decide ... how much does he want this deal, and what is he willing to trade for his greatest legacy? Full Description: http://www.howdemocracyworksnow.com/story/last-best-chance

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This press release has been reprinted from PRWEB per the terms and conditions of the copyright notice.

Daily Senate Report

Acclaimed Political Documentary Series 'How Democracy Works Now' Announces Washington D.C. Screenings Washington D.C. (PRWEB) April 22, 2010 -- We are pleased to announce an exclusive Washington D.C. tour of the critically acclaimed new documentary series How Democracy Works Now (http://www.howdemocracyworksnow.com/home), fresh from its national broadcast preview on HBO. From May 12th to June 10th, eight remarkable films will have their theatrical premiere in downtown Washington. Two independent documentary filmmakers, Shari Robertson and Michael Camerini, spent six years filming inside Capitol Hill to create a set of cinema-verité documentaries that together trace the high and low points of the controversial quest for comprehensive immigration reform. How Democracy Works Now was shot with unprecedented access to the dramas of back room negotiations and war room strategy sessions never seen by the public. Major Senators and Congressmen, influential lobbyists, small town grassroots leaders and the unsung heroes of Capitol Hill -- Congressional staffers -- are all vividly portrayed protagonists. Each of the eight STORIES is a stand-alone feature film. Together, they trace the evolution of a complicated Grand Bargain, and the evolving roles of players on both sides. From the heady days before 9/11, through a year inside Senator Sam Brownback's office, to the competition between upstart House staffers and established Senate offices racing to design an immigration bill, the arc builds to the true story of the last great immigration legislative battles, led by Senator Ted Kennedy, of 2006 and 2007. The HDWN series, directed and produced by Shari Robertson and Michael Camerini, premiered in March 2010 on HBO, and is currently touring the country in a series of national screenings that aim to encourage frank debate and, with their vivid portrayal of an era when bipartisanship was alive, dialogue on the health of our nation's political system. Join us for an unflinching look at how America's democracy really works, and see it as so few do: on the big screen, and from the inside. EVENT INFORMATION Dates: May 12, 13, 20, 27, 28 June 3, 4, 10 Times: 7 PM, 9 PM Location: Goethe Institut 812 7th Street NW (at I Street) Washington, D.C. Metro: Gallery PL- Chinatown, exit to 7 Street Tickets: http://www.howdemocracyworksnow.com/tickets FILM SCHEDULE Wednesday, May 12, 2010, 7:00 and 9:00 pm The Game is On August 2001, and everything seems possible. President Bush aligns with Senators Kennedy and Brownback as they set out to fix America¼s immigration system. After 9/11, momentum stalls as anti-immigrant sentiment grows, playing out on the local level in a fierce City Council election in Mason City, Iowa. Full Description: http://www.howdemocracyworksnow.com/story/the-game-is-on Thursday, May 13, 2010 7:00 and 9:00 pm Mountains and Clouds As Senators Kennedy, Brownback, Feinstein, and Kyl join forces on a new Border Security Bill, Congressman Tom Tancredo calls one provision 'amnesty' and post-9/11 anti-immigration grassroots organizations come out in force. Senator Robert Byrd has a star turn, and Brownback begins to have doubts. Full Description: http://www.howdemocracyworksnow.com/story/mountains-and-clouds Thursday, May 20, 2010 7:00 and 9:00 pm Sam in the Snow The intrigue around the creation of Homeland Security serves as the backdrop for a story about the personal cost of giving up the fight. Why does a powerful champion, Senator Sam Brownback, move away from an issue he has backed so publicly? Full Description: http://www.howdemocracyworksnow.com/story/sam-in-the-snow Thursday, May 27, 2010 7:00 and 9:00 pm The Kids Across the Hill AZ Republican Congressmen Jim Kolbe and Jeff Flake, with their 20-something staffers Margaret and Becky, write their own radical immigration bill and derail the well-laid plans of the immigration advocates -- and Senate Democrats. Full Description: http://www.howdemocracyworksnow.com/story/the-kids-across-the-hill Friday, May 28, 2010 7:00 and 9:00 pm Marking Up the Dream The Dream Act hopes to give kids who were brought to this country illegally, but completed high-school, a chance at in-state tuition and citizenship. Getting the bill through a Senate markup and on to the floor is an eye-opening lesson about back stage maneuvering and the power of staffers. Full Description: http://www.howdemocracyworksnow.com/story/marking-up-the-dream Thursday, June 3, 2010 7:00 and 9:00 pm TBA Friday, June 4, 2010 7:00 and 9:00 pm The Senate Speaks Senator Kennedy battles to get his and McCain¼s bill to the Senate floor, where the real fight begins. But with the midterms so close, Senate leaders don¼t seem to want a bill. Advocates smell a double-cross and go public with an attack, as they partner with Kennedy and McCain to get the bill passed. Full Description: http://www.howdemocracyworksnow.com/story/the-senate-speaks Thursday, June 10, 2010 7:00 and 9:00 pm Last Best Chance (Director's Cut of HBO's The Senators' Bargain) Inside the final Senate battle for Kennedy's dream of immigration reform, below the level of strategy and protocol, we find a moral tale of modern American politics. Senator Edward Kennedy now must decide ... how much does he want this deal, and what is he willing to trade for his greatest legacy? Full Description: http://www.howdemocracyworksnow.com/story/last-best-chance # # # This press release has been reprinted from PRWEB per the terms and conditions of the copyright notice. Rate This Article: