In 7 words or less: Broomfield tries to interview Palin. And fails.
What's it all About? In 2008 Sarah Palin was plucked from obscurity as a last ditch attempt to re-juvenate the McCain campaign for President. Unfortunately for the GOP they didn't check-up on her first! Nick Broomfield sets up shop in her home town of Wasilla Alaska (pop. 5000) to try and find out more about her.
Best bits? This shows an unbelievable portrait of a woman who shouldn't be in charge of a PTA meeting let alone a contender for 'most powerful politician on the planet'!
According to this film, from a young age she has been a fundamentalist, gun toting, anti-abortion, anti-gay, power hungry she-devil with a easy charm like Hitler. She has abused her positions of power to carry out personal vendettas while simultaneously having very little interest in actual politics, seeing it as a popularity contest where opponents are 'thrown under the bus' as opposed to a public service (like a bus). Some of her detractors say that she would be truly scary if she was sat in front of the big red nuke button, having little regard for the human race to make up it's own destiny. The reason being, as a member of the 'Assembly of God' religion, she believes that humans will only be on the earth for another 1000 years before a shit load of angels fly down from space and judge everyone on the planet individually, the sinners then burn in hell and the believers go to a gay-free Heaven (hopefully not the night club in London).
She has little knowledge of the world outside of America, claimed her experience of foreign policy amounted to the fact that you can see Russia from Alaska. She could not think of any comment on Bush's foreign policy, in fact she makes GW Bush look like a suave international diplomat. She couldn't name a single current affairs publication that she reads, couldn't locate Iraq on a map and didn't know the difference between North and South Korea! Great quote from one interview: 'what did she think the Korean war was about?!' All this while still being a 'political commentator' for Fox news (Elmo from Sesame Street could do that, but he's too nice). This has led to her being bankrolled by Fox and surprise surprise Rupert 'hack your phones' Murdoch is a personal friend and super fan.
This is someone who should not and would never have been on a world stage but for a freak decision high up in the party, she somehow struck a chord with a lot of confused people and now wields significant political power!
The serious side to all this is how someone with such a limited knowledge base and perspective can charm so many millions of Americans to rise to a position of already way too much power and influence, whatever the bias of the film, the fact remains that her anti-intellectulism, prejudices and sheltered world views are the last thing America needs! Americans may feel Obama hasn't lived up to his potential but could this really be an alternative?!
The other truly dark and sad side to this is the footage of Arizona congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords talking on the news about how dangerous Palin's strategy is, of putting gun targets on her website over the states that opposed her (including Arizona). Giffords (among other victims) was brutally shot in the head by a gunman at a public rally weeks later.
Another sad scene is when Nick interviews a gay teenager in the town who has clearly had a tough time of it.
Luckily, Sarah's approval ratings have now sunk to an all-time low and she declared in October 2011 that she would not run for President. However she could just be biding her time so stay vigilant people!
Did it make you think thoughts? This is a very one-sided film, throughout the doc Broomfield is constantly trying to make contact and interview Palins' supporters and Palin herself, but they are very reluctant because they are scared he is making a 'hit-piece' (he's been making controversial docs for 30 years and is well known internationally) so unfortunately the only interviews he gets are from the opposition.
Would you watch it again? Yes for sure, it's funny and scary and makes some serious points.
Rating (out of 100%): Nick Broomfield's docs are always cringeworthy, he's not afraid to confront people and ask difficult questions, but he does so with a sense of humour too. Unfortunately people don't like talking to him because of it! Louis Theroux (a British Broomfield alike reporter) may have got a little more with his harmless persona and tactile questioning, but I doubt it. They know all too well that a Channel 4 doc about Palin is not going to be a positive one! Definitely a must see though if you have any fascination for the crazy world of American politics and a one of a kind story that is so current it's still being played out. 81%
