The Majestic Theater will be featuring the award-winning documentary, “Steal this Story, Please!” for a one week run, starting Friday.
The documentary, by Oscar-nominated filmmakers Carl Deal and Tia Lessin, profiles the life and career of journalist Amy Goodman. Goodman, described as “the warm, wise-cracking granddaughter of an Orthodox rabbi – raised in a tradition of asking hard questions,” has been reporting from Gaza and other conflict areas and challenging political leaders for three decades for her show, “Democracy Now.”
Long-time film critic Roger Ebert once wrote that “‘We will not be silent’ should be the Hippocratic oath of the media today,” It’s a reminder that’s as sobering as it is incisive. There’s certainly no paucity of stories to report on. It can be easy to hide behind the scale, using the excess as an excuse to report on less important stories, so one doesn’t have to talk about the controversial or difficult. Throughout her career, Goodman has found a way to keep her eye on the prize, focusing on what matters, cutting through the fat, and making sure to platform the very stories that might otherwise be overlooked.
Ebert also described a characteristic Goodman move, where she tried to question “Donald Trump’s climate policy adviser Preston Wells Griffith III at the 2018 U.N. Climate Summit in Poland. Cutting right to the literal chase, she asks, ‘Can you tell me what you think about President Trump saying climate change is a Chinese hoax?’ A startled Griffith tries to evade her, purposely walking into large groups of people to throw her off, and walking up multiple flights of stairs. Goodman, ever persistent, keeps on him, her microphone out, and deals more trenchant questions between breaths. ‘Can you explain why the U.S. joined with Saudi Arabia in watering down language around the UN report?’ she volleys.”
Alissa Wilkinson wrote in the New York Times that “Goodman’s career is fascinating on its own merits, and the film is full of footage of her doggedly chasing down politicians and sources who clearly would prefer to control their own story. But more importantly, the movie gradually explores the fundamentals of journalism that she believes in and passes on to colleagues.”
The documentary has been well received, winning “Audience Favorite” awards at the Seattle, Woodstock, Santa Fe, St. Louis, Palm Springs, and Santa Barbara film festivals as well as the “Harvey Goldberg Award” at the Jewish Film Festival.
Showtimes:
Friday-Saturday May 22 and 23 @ 4:15 and 7:15 pm
Sunday May 24 @ 2:15 and 5:15 pm
Monday-Thursday May 25 through 28 @ 4:15 and 7:15 pm
open captions on screen Tuesday