Hello Heisters!
We just MUST sound off on the Senate's recent rejection of the Buffett Rule, the tax plan which would apply a minimum tax of 30 percent to individuals making more than a million dollars a year.
Ask yourselves: what better example do we have of the institutionalized greed that now rules our country? According to Gallup, over 60 percent of Americans supported the Buffett Rule and CNN has the number at 72%. Regardless, our ELECTED representatives cannot even BEGIN to take the slightest step towards reducing income inequality in this country.
American style democracy has always been based on income equality. Yet a small number of ideologically (market fundamentalism) driven elites beginning in the 1970s understood well that if they could buy our government, they could then re-write the laws (lobbying) to favor big money which would pave the way to unlimited riches for themselves.
And then, lest we forget, buy the media to cover their crimes to the point where today the notion of reducing income inequality has become a radical, heretical idea. The injustices at the core of these questions and or determination to find real answers to this crisis is what drove Donald and me to make Heist.
Onward!
Frances and Donald
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Shopping for Democracy
For the last 40 years, the economic-political decision making in this country has been top down, leaving working people out of the equation. Supporting local economies is a powerful antidote to the unbridled power of corporations and the political financial elite who dominate our society.
We need to starve the corporate beast of its profits! As we point out in HEIST, it's time for us to fight back at the local level by targeting how we spend our money. Buying at the lowest prices and the outsourcing that makes them possible has come at the cost of millions of American jobs. The Heist team is allied with strong advocates for local business ownership, including Local First.
Local First Arizona founder Kimber Lanning is a powerful voice in the film. As Lanning points out, when we spend money with local businesses, 30% of that money is recirculated back into the community. Perhaps just as important Lanning says if a community does not have localized lending, such as credit unions, consumers are "effectively saying take my deposits and invest them elsewhere, we're not worthy."
We know it is not always possible to spend 100 percent of our money with local businesses but we can reduce our purchases with monopolistic corporations. Next time you are at Wal-Mart think twice about the "true cost" of that purchase you are about to make. If you live in Oakland, buy your bread at Neldam's Bakery which we profile in HEIST! Neldam's closed its doors during the economic crisis but employees worked with the owners of the building and the business was re-organized into a co-op where the profits are shared among the worker-owners.
Audience members are leaving HEIST telling us that they are going to take their money out of the big banks and put it into local credit unions. Imagine if everyone did this? So remember, WE ARE VOTING WITH OUR DOLLARS EVERY DAY!
We need to starve the corporate beast of its profits! As we point out in HEIST, it's time for us to fight back at the local level by targeting how we spend our money. Buying at the lowest prices and the outsourcing that makes them possible has come at the cost of millions of American jobs. The Heist team is allied with strong advocates for local business ownership, including Local First.
Local First Arizona founder Kimber Lanning is a powerful voice in the film. As Lanning points out, when we spend money with local businesses, 30% of that money is recirculated back into the community. Perhaps just as important Lanning says if a community does not have localized lending, such as credit unions, consumers are "effectively saying take my deposits and invest them elsewhere, we're not worthy."
We know it is not always possible to spend 100 percent of our money with local businesses but we can reduce our purchases with monopolistic corporations. Next time you are at Wal-Mart think twice about the "true cost" of that purchase you are about to make. If you live in Oakland, buy your bread at Neldam's Bakery which we profile in HEIST! Neldam's closed its doors during the economic crisis but employees worked with the owners of the building and the business was re-organized into a co-op where the profits are shared among the worker-owners.
Audience members are leaving HEIST telling us that they are going to take their money out of the big banks and put it into local credit unions. Imagine if everyone did this? So remember, WE ARE VOTING WITH OUR DOLLARS EVERY DAY!
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Highly Acclaimed Documentary “HEIST” Debuting in Oakland at the Historic Grand Lake Theater
FILM HIGHLIGHTS THE ROOTS OF THE AMERICAN ECONOMIC CRISIS, STRUGGLES OF MILLIONS OF MIDDLE CLASS AMERICANS, NATIONWIDE OCCUPY MOVEMENTS
(Oakland,CA) - Producers of the explosive new documentary “Heist” join community leaders and activists for a special screening of the highly acclaimed documentary “Heist: Who Stole the American Dream?” Heist examines the roots of the American economic crisis, and the struggle of working and middle class people in the United States.
“We made HEIST for the 99%," said the film’s co-Director Donald Goldmacher, “Our main goal was to connect the dots of the economic crisis so that our audience might better understand what has truly happened in our country, and restore democracy and an economy that works for all."
WHAT: Screening of Heist: Who Stole the American Dream?
WHEN: Thursday, April 19, 2012 - 7:00pm
WHERE: Historic Grand Lake Theater 3200 Grand Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610
Following the movie there will be a panel discussion moderated by Ella Baker Executive Director Jakada Imani and featuring: Donald Goldmacher, Heist director/producer, Christine Cordero, Occupy the Hood Oakland, and Sylvia Allegretto, UC Berkeley labor economist.
IF you would like review copy before or after the film event please contact Frances Causey fcausey@gmail.com.
“HEIST clearly explains the roots of our current economic nightmare while analyzing the growing momentum for reform in America,” said Jakada Imani, Executive Director of The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, “ Heist builds on the growing momentum of Americans who are demanding equity and justice for our country.”
In addition to critical historical background, Heist offers real world solutions and up-to-the-minute footage from the current Occupy Wall Street movement - an essential primer for all Americans to participate in the restoration of economic fairness, security, and democracy..
More details on the Movie Event:
$15 General Admission, $10 Students and Seniors
$100 VIP - Preferred Seating and Signed Poster & DVD
BUY TICKETS AT: http://tinyurl.com/Heist-Event
There is also a film-only screening at 9:30 PM.
(Oakland,CA) - Producers of the explosive new documentary “Heist” join community leaders and activists for a special screening of the highly acclaimed documentary “Heist: Who Stole the American Dream?” Heist examines the roots of the American economic crisis, and the struggle of working and middle class people in the United States.
“We made HEIST for the 99%," said the film’s co-Director Donald Goldmacher, “Our main goal was to connect the dots of the economic crisis so that our audience might better understand what has truly happened in our country, and restore democracy and an economy that works for all."
WHAT: Screening of Heist: Who Stole the American Dream?
WHEN: Thursday, April 19, 2012 - 7:00pm
WHERE: Historic Grand Lake Theater 3200 Grand Avenue, Oakland, CA 94610
Following the movie there will be a panel discussion moderated by Ella Baker Executive Director Jakada Imani and featuring: Donald Goldmacher, Heist director/producer, Christine Cordero, Occupy the Hood Oakland, and Sylvia Allegretto, UC Berkeley labor economist.
IF you would like review copy before or after the film event please contact Frances Causey fcausey@gmail.com.
“HEIST clearly explains the roots of our current economic nightmare while analyzing the growing momentum for reform in America,” said Jakada Imani, Executive Director of The Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, “ Heist builds on the growing momentum of Americans who are demanding equity and justice for our country.”
In addition to critical historical background, Heist offers real world solutions and up-to-the-minute footage from the current Occupy Wall Street movement - an essential primer for all Americans to participate in the restoration of economic fairness, security, and democracy..
More details on the Movie Event:
$15 General Admission, $10 Students and Seniors
$100 VIP - Preferred Seating and Signed Poster & DVD
BUY TICKETS AT: http://tinyurl.com/Heist-Event
There is also a film-only screening at 9:30 PM.
Monday, April 2, 2012
Movie Night at FireDogLake
Donald and I just wrapped a fast-moving and fun online salon with www.firedoglake.com. Check it out at http://firedoglake.com/2012/04/02/fdl-movie-night-heist-who-stole-the-american-dream/. Thank you Lisa and Bev for making this happen. The lively and informed discussion reminded me how awesome it is to really "connect" with people in a long format like this. This discussion was about their reality NOT the alternate reality created by the ultra right media machine.
ONWARD!
ONWARD!
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
HEIST SCORES BIG AT CIFF!
What a great first night for HEIST at the Cleveland International Film Festival. We had the distinct honor of being introduced by CIFF's Artistic Director Bill Guentzler. Bill told the capacity crowd that while he had screened many docs about the economic crisis for the festival, that HEIST was "by far the "best". A big thanks to Cynthia Ries of Community Shares, our Cleveland community partner, for turning out her organization and others, including Organize Ohio, Policy Matters Ohio, and Jobs with Justice. These groups are on the front lines everyday fighting for Ohio's working people in the four decades long war against the middle class and working poor. Thank you Larry, Amy and Debbie for lending us your support. We screen again tomorrow, March 27 at 2:30p. Now if I can just get some sleep!
To become a HEIST community partner or to organize a screening for your organization or community, contact us at infoheistmovie@gmail.com and we'll be in touch.
Onward!
To become a HEIST community partner or to organize a screening for your organization or community, contact us at infoheistmovie@gmail.com and we'll be in touch.
Onward!
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Bullfrog Films to Distribute Heist!
Hi Guys-
You are the first to know that we have just inked a deal with leading educational distributor Bullfrog Films! In the coming years, Bullfrog will distribute Heist throughout the United States to campuses, libraries, governmental agencies and institutions, among others. We are so excited and honored to be working with them. Donald, our contract expert extraordinaire, did his homework by talking with other filmmakers who have worked with them and ALL said that Bullfrog was full of integrity and fun to work with. Check them out at www.bullfrogfilms.com
Frances is off to Cleveland on Monday March 26 for our two screenings at the Cleveland International Film Festival. CIFF has been extraordinarily hospitable to us, which we really appreciate. Heist screens at the Tower Cinemas Monday at 8:50pm and 2:30pm on Tuesday March 27. As many of you know, Ohio has taken a huge hit with manufacturing flight over the last 3 decades. But folks in Cleveland have taken matters into their own hands with a brilliant public-private partnership called the Evergreen Laundry Cooperative. The coop (www.evergreencoop.com) is a commercial green laundry that employs previously unemployed or chronically underemployed workers and gives them a stake in the business. The coop's contracts typically come from municipal entities like hospitals. Be the change you want to see!
I am also happy to report that people can go to our website (www.heist-themovie.com) and pre-order our DVD. To organize a screening for your organization or community, contact us at infoheistmovie@gmail.com and we'll be in touch.
Onward! Frances and Donald
You are the first to know that we have just inked a deal with leading educational distributor Bullfrog Films! In the coming years, Bullfrog will distribute Heist throughout the United States to campuses, libraries, governmental agencies and institutions, among others. We are so excited and honored to be working with them. Donald, our contract expert extraordinaire, did his homework by talking with other filmmakers who have worked with them and ALL said that Bullfrog was full of integrity and fun to work with. Check them out at www.bullfrogfilms.com
Frances is off to Cleveland on Monday March 26 for our two screenings at the Cleveland International Film Festival. CIFF has been extraordinarily hospitable to us, which we really appreciate. Heist screens at the Tower Cinemas Monday at 8:50pm and 2:30pm on Tuesday March 27. As many of you know, Ohio has taken a huge hit with manufacturing flight over the last 3 decades. But folks in Cleveland have taken matters into their own hands with a brilliant public-private partnership called the Evergreen Laundry Cooperative. The coop (www.evergreencoop.com) is a commercial green laundry that employs previously unemployed or chronically underemployed workers and gives them a stake in the business. The coop's contracts typically come from municipal entities like hospitals. Be the change you want to see!
I am also happy to report that people can go to our website (www.heist-themovie.com) and pre-order our DVD. To organize a screening for your organization or community, contact us at infoheistmovie@gmail.com and we'll be in touch.
Onward! Frances and Donald
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
HELLO HEISTERS!
It is great to be back with you again. What an amazing week we had in NYC! The HEIST team has been a little giddy and very grateful in the afterglow. Highpoints for us were the fantastic turnout by New Yorkers (not always easy in a city where competition for eyeballs is INTENSE) to see the film and hosting our stellar line up of guest speakers who joined us for provocative and enlightening post screening Q & A. A big shout out and thanks to Russ Baker, Logan Price, David Cay Johnston, and Eric Kingson.
And if you missed it, listen here to Don and I in an hour-long conversation with Virtually Speaking Host Jay Ackroyd, produced the night before we opened.
It's thrilling to watch as the reviews keep pouring in! The Heist team is working overtime to keep them collected on our press page. Stephen Holden wrote a great review of HEIST in the NY Times. Holden really "got" the film, writing that HEIST "has the virtue of taking the long view of a crisis that recent films like "Inside Job" and "Too Big to Fail" have only sketchily explored."
Mark Karlin published a great interview with Don in Truthout.
The real story behind the economic crimes against the middle class by the corporatocracy has been obscured, misunderstood and frankly lied about in the corporate media where most Americans get their news. We worked for YEARS to develop the HEIST story, working hard to thread complex concepts and distilling them into a simple, historical narrative that audiences could relate to and understand. By "connecting the dots" of these crimes, our greatest hope is that HEIST will be used as an educational and mobilizing tool in the blossoming people based democratic movement that is sweeping the nation--and world. Information is power and power to the people!
Onward! Frances and Donald Co-Directors/Co-Producers Heisters!
And if you missed it, listen here to Don and I in an hour-long conversation with Virtually Speaking Host Jay Ackroyd, produced the night before we opened.
It's thrilling to watch as the reviews keep pouring in! The Heist team is working overtime to keep them collected on our press page. Stephen Holden wrote a great review of HEIST in the NY Times. Holden really "got" the film, writing that HEIST "has the virtue of taking the long view of a crisis that recent films like "Inside Job" and "Too Big to Fail" have only sketchily explored."
Mark Karlin published a great interview with Don in Truthout.
The real story behind the economic crimes against the middle class by the corporatocracy has been obscured, misunderstood and frankly lied about in the corporate media where most Americans get their news. We worked for YEARS to develop the HEIST story, working hard to thread complex concepts and distilling them into a simple, historical narrative that audiences could relate to and understand. By "connecting the dots" of these crimes, our greatest hope is that HEIST will be used as an educational and mobilizing tool in the blossoming people based democratic movement that is sweeping the nation--and world. Information is power and power to the people!
Onward! Frances and Donald Co-Directors/Co-Producers Heisters!
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
NYC Premiere @ the Quad Theater
Heisters!
We’re packed for our flights and just about ready for the theatrical premiere at The Quad Theater in NYC. And we’re getting help. The Heist trailer - with links to NYC - is showing up all over the web. Our thanks to CorrenteWire, Sarah Burris, Dave Johnson, Virtually Speaking and the United Steel Workers. More to come!
We’ve lined up special events:
March 1 9:00 pm eastern: Virtually Speaking interview with Jay Ackroyd - Listen live and later on the web
March 4 following 7:10 show: Q&A with filmmakers and economist Robert Kuttner
March 6 following 7:10 show: Q&A with filmmakers and journalist David Cay Johnston
March 8 following 3:00 show: Q&A with filmmakers and Professor Eric Kingson of Strengthen Social Security
Lisa Smithline of Cultural Front Productions is running our community engagement campaign. Lisa, founding partner of Brave New Films, pioneered new models of community-based distribution. She has produced successful marketing campaigns for many popular projects including Academy Award nominated TROUBLE THE WATER, Stacy Peralta's CRIPS & BLOODS and now our own HEIST: WHO STOLE THE AMERICAN DREAM? Lisa is working with New York Communities for Change and other groups to make our March 2-8 NY run a great success.
Interested in joining the Heist team and organizing a screening for your organization or community? Please contact us at infoheistmovie@gmail.com and we'll be in touch."
We continue to see HEIST a popular education tool to help rally the 99% who can take this moment in history and transform the American economic and political landscape through information-sharing and direct action. Heist is a warning as well as a vision of a new future. We hope viewers will come away from the film feeling that they understand who broke the economy and how, and knowing what is needed to fix it.
'Join the Heist team and help us spread the word! Watch for upcoming screening dates on our website and tell your friends. Link to the materials on our Press page. "Like" us on Facebook at Heist:Who Stole the American Dream and follow us on Twitter at HeistDoc.
Never Surrender!
Frances
Co-Director/Co-Producer
We’re packed for our flights and just about ready for the theatrical premiere at The Quad Theater in NYC. And we’re getting help. The Heist trailer - with links to NYC - is showing up all over the web. Our thanks to CorrenteWire, Sarah Burris, Dave Johnson, Virtually Speaking and the United Steel Workers. More to come!
We’ve lined up special events:
March 1 9:00 pm eastern: Virtually Speaking interview with Jay Ackroyd - Listen live and later on the web
March 4 following 7:10 show: Q&A with filmmakers and economist Robert Kuttner
March 6 following 7:10 show: Q&A with filmmakers and journalist David Cay Johnston
March 8 following 3:00 show: Q&A with filmmakers and Professor Eric Kingson of Strengthen Social Security
Lisa Smithline of Cultural Front Productions is running our community engagement campaign. Lisa, founding partner of Brave New Films, pioneered new models of community-based distribution. She has produced successful marketing campaigns for many popular projects including Academy Award nominated TROUBLE THE WATER, Stacy Peralta's CRIPS & BLOODS and now our own HEIST: WHO STOLE THE AMERICAN DREAM? Lisa is working with New York Communities for Change and other groups to make our March 2-8 NY run a great success.
Interested in joining the Heist team and organizing a screening for your organization or community? Please contact us at infoheistmovie@gmail.com and we'll be in touch."
We continue to see HEIST a popular education tool to help rally the 99% who can take this moment in history and transform the American economic and political landscape through information-sharing and direct action. Heist is a warning as well as a vision of a new future. We hope viewers will come away from the film feeling that they understand who broke the economy and how, and knowing what is needed to fix it.
'Join the Heist team and help us spread the word! Watch for upcoming screening dates on our website and tell your friends. Link to the materials on our Press page. "Like" us on Facebook at Heist:Who Stole the American Dream and follow us on Twitter at HeistDoc.
Never Surrender!
Frances
Co-Director/Co-Producer
Saturday, January 28, 2012
"Heist" Creating Big BUZZZZZ at SBIFF
It was a great day for Heist at the 2012 Santa Barbara
International Film Festival! Our first screening was SOLD OUT with
people being turned away. I encouraged them to return for our next
screening which is Feb. 4th at 10am. Donald will be there. Sally,
Hollis and I fielded great questions from the audience that was clearly
pretty saavy about current events but the audience expressed over and
over how Heist gave them critical new information. They applauded us for
taking a very complex story yet managing to distill it down into a very
clear narrative.
Post screening we attended a reception held by the Fund for Santa Barbara which has nominated Heist for its Social Justice Documentary Film award. We were blown away by the Heist buzz there! I kept getting the sense that people feel Heist is
representing them, their voice and empowering them to fight back
against the systemic money based corruption that is destroying our
democracy. A day I will always remember!
New Review from "The Word" blog
"At a time when many documentaries are done only to further some political agenda, Heist remains true to educating the public and offer solutions, resting the blame with the politicians on both sides of the aisle, large corporations and big banks that have contributed to the demise of the American economy; protecting the rich and leaving the poor to struggle, 'sink or swim.'"
Oscar Flores, The Word
Oscar Flores, The Word
Friday, January 20, 2012
Social Justice Award for Documentary
We are so honored that "Heist: Who Stole the American Dream?" has been nominated for the Fund for Santa Barbara's Social Justice Award for Documentary Film during the 2012 Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
Heist screens at SBIFF on Friday January 27 at 1p and Saturday February 4 at 10am. When Co-Director Donald Goldmacher and I first began working on the film, we knew something was deeply wrong with the country. We spent years researching and reading many books by authors who were way out in front of this crisis. Donald has a deep, personal and vast historical understanding of the importance in a capitalist system of the need for a social safety net like the New Deal which has now been all but totally eradicated by both Republicans and Democrats alike.
As a lifelong social justice activist, Donald has dedicated his life to observing, documenting and bringing about social change. His example has changed my life. As a journalist, it was constantly drilled into me to be objective and to not bring my personal politics into whatever I produced.
As a lifelong social justice activist, Donald has dedicated his life to observing, documenting and bringing about social change. His example has changed my life. As a journalist, it was constantly drilled into me to be objective and to not bring my personal politics into whatever I produced.
However, in the long process of making Heist I am proud to say that I too am now an activist and public interest journalist, truly believing in my heart that no American can afford to sit on the sidelines and allow a very small number of people to continue to destroy our middle class and democracy. As a result of the last 40 years of policy making in the U.S. a record number of Americans--nearly 1 in 2--have fallen into poverty or are scraping by on earnings that classify them as low income. Those in positions of power to make change are disconnected from this reality and under the ruse of the mythical free market they have shamelessly turned their backs on millions of Americans.
It is up to us to force change through whatever talents we possess. Our greatest hope for Heist is that grass roots democracy groups will use our film as an educational tool to help bring about this critically needed social and economic change.
Thursday, January 19, 2012
The Scoop from Santa Barbara: see Heist with your friends
While the Santa Barbara International Film Festival
doesn't sell single tickets (except the front row just minutes before
the screening begins) there is a way. Gather up your friends, buy a 4-Film MiniPak for $57 or a 10-Film MiniPak for $125
and go in a group. One hour before the screening, change your ticket
for a boarding pass, er, theater pass. Seating isn't assigned, but order
of entry is, just like many airlines. Then you are free to wander.
Seating begins 20 minutes before the screening. One caveat: Premium package
PASS holders are seated first. If you are among the last to pick up
your theater pass, you could get bumped. 5 minutes before, they open
'rush' seating, $15 a pop, front row seating.
The Metro 1 seats 150: if it looks like the Jan 27 and Feb 4 screenings will sell out, they just may book a third in one of the Festival's TBA slots. Onward!
The Metro 1 seats 150: if it looks like the Jan 27 and Feb 4 screenings will sell out, they just may book a third in one of the Festival's TBA slots. Onward!
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