Ben-Peter Terpstra interviews the director of Is It True What They Say About Ann?
Her name is Coulter, Ann Coulter. And, in some cocktail circles, they call her “Florida’s anti-Christ.” But in Is It True What They Say About Ann?, filmmakers Patrick Wright and Elinor Burkett introduce audiences to a three-dimensional character.
With exclusive access, Patrick Wright follows Ann around town. We see the pretty polemic fight off college hippies, tease Clinton and – crikey! – eat anti-war politicians.
Described as “snappy” (the Washington Post), this Coultermentary is full of pleasant surprises – and the filmmaker’s style is extraordinarily sharp. In all, Wright doesn’t talk down or preach to viewers like, say, Pastor Michael Moore, or even nag.
Rather, the Maryland-based filmmaker prefers to let events unfold. We don’t know where he sits. Is he a Republican? Is he a Democrat? Is he a no-party libertarian?
Moreover, the fiery issues in Is It True What They Say About Ann? are still raging. And, in some ways, they give the film a very contemporary edge.
But where are we in August, 2007? I asked Patrick Wright about his personal views, Iraq, upcoming projects, and Coulter’s famous “f-joke.” His responses may surprise you.
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Q1: Hello Patrick. Thanks for your time. First up, your documentary (Is It True What They Say About Ann?) is a hoot. I watched it in 2005. Can we expect a sequel?
A: No.
Q2: What are you working on now?
A: A documentary about trans-fat and the attempts to ban it in the US.
Q3: Give me some background. What inspired you to make a documentary about an "outspoken" public figure?
A: I've always thought that good Art pushes people’s buttons. Most of my friends are liberals, so I figured there is nothing that will upset them more than to say something nice about a conservative.
Q4: Recently, I was laughing at some Democrats because they were denouncing Ann Coulter's "evil" CPAC gags. What's your take on the "f-joke" controversy?
A: It wasn't a good joke. It was anti-gay rhetorically, though her tone saves it, giving a wink that she's just playing at being bad.
If you're not a subtle reader it was anti-gay, whether you like gays or not.
Her better joke was her comeback that she would never suggest that Edwards was gay, that this would be an insult to gays.
Q5: Speaking of freedom, one Democrat celebrity (and would-be Senator!) said – I quote – "I just don't like homosexuals. If you ask me, they're all homosexuals in the Pudding Club [Harvard]. Hey, I was glad when that Pudding Homosexual got killed in Philadelphia.”
As an Aussie, I wonder about the "double standards" in all of this. How can some Democrats get away with saying such things when American kids can't even pray before lunch?
A: I'd have to see the context.1 There are a lot of double standards.
Q6: On the bright side, I'm really glad that Coulter and Bruce Willis are defending Isaiah Washington's right to free speech. This is good news. (And as Willis points out, the Grey’s Anatomy star didn't punch anyone!!!)
So what's going on in Hollywood? This must scare the hell out of independent filmmakers.
A: I don't think that this was an issue of Free Speech as defined by the US Constitution. Speech having a political and social impact is different then the state prohibiting people from saying things.
This is something that bothered me with the Dixie Chicks. At times, I thought they were saying that they had a right to their sales markets – and a right to have their speech not impact them.
Q7: Before, "the war" we – at my local Amnesty International branch – couldn't wake people up. Saddam was gassing Kurds. Silence ruled.
Missy England, however, pulls out a whip, and campaigning journalists are still crying about America's reputation. Is Coulter just saying what we all know to be true (but are probably too scared to say)?
A: Can one be both disgusted by the behavior of Lindy England and her colleagues while being supportive of the Kurds' new freedom?
Ben-Peter Terpstra: Yes. But, I’m not sure if, say, CBS can afford to be equally disgusted. Leash Girl’s nude pyramids were more Playgirl than History Channel.
Q8: Just for the record, I'm pro-Iraq because the views of Kurds are more important to me than some posh broads in New York or the College Democrats. What’s your take?
A: I personally was ambivalent about the invasion and occupation of Iraq precisely because of the Kurds. They have had a raw deal from both Turkey and Iraq.
Q9: Okay, where do you see yourself in 5 years?
A: Making movies, teaching and playing with my kids.
Q: Thank you for your time.
A: No problem. I'm glad that you enjoyed the movie.
pizzatrays@yahoo.com
http://pizzatraysandbeerbottles.blogspot.com
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