the question of bias

One of the perennial debates in documentary filmmaking is over the question of bias. Everybody has their biases, do you seek to conceal them or be up front about them?

Our goal was making a film that was truly non-partisan. Part of this is practical - as a member of the media Richard shouldn't display any preferences. We also wanted to make something that could reach people of all persuasions, to go beyond the usual "preaching to the already converted" rants we've seen too much of. We've seen blind spots in the thinking of both our conservative and liberal friends and family members.

I can sincerely say we did our best to be fair. There were a few clips that are in the film solely due to the desire to be balanced. However, the vast majority of shots, no matter where in the political spectrum they fall, were put in the film because we honestly thought they were thought provoking and worth mulling over.

We haven't heard from all the interview subjects yet. A big cheer for Howard Zinn for being the first to respond. His response was positive, as was "moderate" David Stoesz, "conservative" Mona Charen and "progressive Michael Kazin.

I bring this up because Richard and I had a disagreement over mentioning the fact that I produced an anti-Bush PSA in the "filmmakers" section of our website. Even if this information wasn't easily obtainable by googling me, I feel it would be dishonest to hide it. However, I don't think this prevents me from being unbiased - like many Americans my beliefs don't fall into a tidy category. I am a fiscal conservative who loathes the budget deficit this country has run up. As a mother I dislike many things in the vulgar things in the culture these days. I've been disrespected countless times for staying home to raise children. I also dislike being called by my first name by strangers and children. An exasperating dispute with the IRS has made me loathe its bureaucratic intractability, and question my believe in the power of government.

I appreciate deeply all those who trusted us in sharing their opinions for the movie. I think we've tried our best to treat every one with respect.