Documentary Seeks To Reintroduce Palin As A Figure Of Triumph
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A documentary called "the Undefeated," which details the political rise of Sarah Palin, will open next month in select theaters, but a special screening will be held Friday night at the Hilton in Minneapolis.
Palin's rise to national prominence started in the Twin Cities when she was nominated as John McCain's running mate at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul in 2008.
The film's producer, Stephen Bannon, said that the movie is the introduction Palin should have had to the nation.
"I, at least, hope [the movie] clarifies to people that this is a woman of substance," he said.
It took Bannon about seven months to create "The Undefeated." He says the Palin film is "Rocky-like" and highlights a rise from obscurity to prominence.
"It's about the values she represents," Bannon said. "The simple basic values of hard work, self-reliance, that American can-do spirit that got us through so many crises."
Bannon says the two-hour film is complex. He says he was approached by Palin's group about doing the film after the 2010 election year.
He chose not to do a one-on-one with the former Alaskan governor. Instead, he used testimonials and focused on, what he calls, the beat-downs she received from pop culture, the media and fellow politicians. He sought to highlight how she overcame it all by sticking to her values.
He says her ability to persevere is where he got the name for the film.
"If you stay true to yourself and true to your vision and your own values, you can power through and make an impact on modern life," Bannon said.
Bannon hopes the film's message is clear to young women.
Bannon also did a documentary on Michele Bachmann called "Fire from the Heartland." That movie highlights the rise of the tea party. Bannon thinks that both Palin and Bachmann would make good presidents.
Political analyst Larry Jacobs thinks "The Undefeated" may be just the start for a Palin presidential campaign.
"Sarah Palin is doing the 50,000-foot fly-over with this biography that she hopes will jump-start this campaign," Jacobs said. "Even if she doesn't receive good reviews through this, it could help her launch an entertainment career. She may have several different agendas here."
Jacobs said this is a unique way of launching a campaign, as opposed to the traditional way of shaking hands in Iowa.
The film has been screened in New York City and Washington D.C. already.
It will premiere in select AMC theaters next month.
Bannon says the film cost $1 million to make and that he is excited by the initial reviews. He says even people who don't follow politics, or even those who don't support Palin, will be intrigued by the documentary and the message it sends.
