accessAtlanta

McKinney takes center stage in 'American Blackout'

Ian Inaba's "American Blackout" is a powerful piece of political cinema that effectively documents the disenfranchisement of black voters in the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections.

But as the director shifts to following the political career of U.S. Rep Cynthia McKinney (D-Ga.), Inaba's focus becomes as much an apologia for the controversial 4th District congresswoman as an investigation into polling practices. For some viewers, that may undermine the film's credibility and appeal.

Guerilla News Network 'American Blackout' B- The verdict: A strong message about voter disenfranchisement, focusing on one of politics' most controversial messengers, Cynthia McKinney. Director: Ian Inaba Starring: Cynthia McKinney, Greg Palast, Christopher Edley Jr., John Conyers Jr., Stephanie Tubbs-Jones Run time: 95 minutes Release date: March 25, 2006 Rating: Not rated On the web Official movie site [an error occurred while processing this directive]

"American Blackout" was screened at the Atlanta Film Festival in June and earlier this year won a special jury prize at the Sundance Film Festival. The film is showing exclusively at Landmark's Midtown Art Cinema, with plans for release in other cities later this year.

Of course, timing is everything. The one-week run coincides with Tuesday's run-off election pitting McKinney against former DeKalb County Commissioner Hank Johnson. It's McKinney's first bid for re-election since her highly publicized altercation with a Capitol police officer last March.

In retrospect, a moment toward the end of "American Blackout" seems prescient. McKinney is seen strolling toward the Capitol in January 2005 after regaining her seat in the 2004 election. Crossing a street, she's hugged by a smiling black guard, who says, "Welcome back. God bless you." But as McKinney and company approach a security checkpoint, a puzzled white officer suddenly appears, asking, "Who are you guys with?"

After an aide points out that McKinney is a congresswoman, the officer looks embarrassed and stammers, "Oh, I'm sorry."

McKinney replies: "That's just the typical kind of treatment that I receive. It's typical, so I'm not surprised and I'm not offended."

The incident stands out, not only because of the run-in with a police officer McKinney had a little over a year later, but because of the way different viewers are likely to react to it. If you're a supporter, you'll probably see it as proof that McKinney "speaks truth to power" while enduring the injustices of a racist society. If you aren't a fan, you may chalk it up as evidence that McKinney is more interested in theatrics than legislation.

A Guerrilla News Network contributor who directed Eminem's 2004 anti-Bush music video "Mosh," Inaba is clearly a McKinney partisan. His film takes great pains to dissect media reports of McKinney's statements in the wake of Sept. 11 — especially McKinney's questions about the Bush administration's possible knowledge of warnings about the attacks — which were either characterized as a wacky conspiracy theory or perceived as unpatriotic and got her called names like "Jihad Cindy."

But the heart of "American Blackout" centers on McKinney's unsuccessful 2002 re-election bid. After first going to Washington in 1992 as the first African-American congresswoman from Georgia, then serving until 2002, McKinney lost to Denise Majette in the Democratic primary. Majette went on to win the 4th District seat, which she vacated in 2004 to run for the Senate.

Inaba highlights what he considers the shady role of Republicans in McKinney's district and interviews party operative Mark Davis, president of Data Productions in Duluth — who shows off his hunting trophies and Hummer while discussing his work in the 2002 campaign orchestrating Republicans to cross over in the primary and vote for Majette.

Following the controversy Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11" created around the 2004 presidential elections, it will be interesting to see what effect, if any, the showing of Inaba's film has on the 4th District runoff.

Friday's two evening screenings at Landmark's Midtown Art Cinema will be followed by question-and-answer sessions. Director Ian Inaba and U.S. Rep. Cynthia McKinney will speak at 7:05 p.m. Inaba and producer Anastasia King will speak at 9:40 p.m.