SXSW Film Preview: 11/4/08

Considering that reading the news these days often manages to be both frustrating and soul-crushing, it’s hard to believe that little more than a year ago many of us were feeling ecstatic, optimistic and even proud of this crazy country of ours. November 4, 2008 seemed like the beginning of something new and real, and regardless of President Obama’s current political struggles, many of us will remember the day we elected him as one of America’s finest moments.

The sense of cohesiveness, goodwill and yes, hope, of that day managed to brighten many corners of the world—a fact that happens to be the subject of 11/4/08. This collaborative documentary will have its world premiere at SXSW 2010, screening as part of the Emerging Visions program, bringing a political and sociological component to the festival.

Curated and edited by Jeff Deutchman, the film consists of footage shot by several film fest regulars, including Henry Joost, Joe Swanberg and Margaret Brown, as well Austin filmmaker Thomas Humphries and others. Two weeks before the election, Deutchman requested that a few of his friends around the world document their experiences in however style they pleased. The result is a collage of democracy and emotion that’s sure to remind us of the power of politics on one of its better days.

This is Deutchman’s first feature film, and his vision didn’t stop with this collaborative documentary. Its message continues in the form of a participatory project and Web site, where election day footage can still be submitted and viewed online with the goal of democratizing history and showcasing the diverse methods and sources that meaningful storytelling relies upon.

Check out the site and check out the film - it premieres Saturday, March 13th at 5 pm at G-Tech (located in the Austin Convention Center). 11/4/08 will also screen on Monday, March 15th and Friday, March 19th. For the full schedule, see my.SXSW or B-Side.