MovieChat Forums > 13th (2016) Discussion > Filmmaker Whitewashes Gingrich

Filmmaker Whitewashes Gingrich

posted 8 years ago by yesastar
3 replies | jump to latest

The film treats Newt Gingrich like an avuncular genial grandfather, when in fact back in the 90's he was exactly the opposite. His "Contract With America" removed funding for progressive programs, cut budgets with a sledgehammer, and essentially catered to the rich. He planted the seed of The Tea Party which has led to the Trump fiasco. DuVernay should have known this. HE is partially responsible for the economics that has led many black men to being incarcerated. There's a section exposing the ALEC connection to for-profit prisons who have a vested interest in quantity prisoners. But Gingrich is squarely in favor of ALEC. The director never asks him about this. So I did some research.
Gingrich tweeted very lauditory comments about her film "Selma." "See it on MLK's birthday," he said.
So apparently DuVernay didn't want to offend him. And since Americans have short memories, why bring it up? Except it's dishonest, especially given the subject matter. "If he says nice things about me, I'll say nice things about him." Sound familiar? Trump/Putin...DuVernay/Gingrich.
Shame on you Ava.

[–] yesastar 8 years ago

Are you proud Ava? Your friend Newtie, who loved Selma, so you give him a soft pass in your film, just showed himself as the slimeball he truly his vs Megan Kelly
on Fox. Shame on you for making him look like a moderate grandpa.
He helped create the conditions that you highlight in your film!

[–] activista 8 years ago

OH, give it a break. Obviously, the director didn't have time to put everything she wanted to in this film, and I seriously doubt if they're "friends" just because he complimented her film---get real. Besides, there's plenty of stuff about the Newt online. I get where you're coming from, but the film wasn't about him,anyway.

[–] Van-Fro 8 years ago

This is weak. Gingrich admitted on video that the disparities were terrible unfair, and that they were wrong to have instituted them. She didn't whitewash it at all. And, your only evidence that she did something nefarious is that he liked Selma.