slate.com/id/2082028/
Filmmakers: Craig Santy & Jon Nealon
Associate Producer: Allison Howard
In 1996 in the desert of Southern Utah I met Johnny Bangerter Jr. while on assignment for CBS News "48 Hours". Johnny shared with me his connection to Randy Weaver and Ruby Ridge. Johnny's introduction, and several long conversations with Randy were enough to convince me the story needed to be told, and told correctly. This was the beginning of a 4 year odyssey which took me all over the US, from the mountains of Northern Idaho to a clandestine ocean meeting off the coast of Florida. I met all sorts of people... and heard many wild tales from local town folks, gov't agents and "experts".
Today I am proud to have many friends in the Justice Dept., Law Enforcement, Military as well as private citizens, all patriots. These friendships have been hard earned over years of building trust, step by step. This trust is what allows me as a filmmaker to tell the type of story you see here.
Many people on all sides of this tragedy suffered. Some of the people who broke the law were punished and served jail time, others continue to allude justice even today.
We ran out of time in the film, there was so much we wanted to say. Maybe we will do a part 2 and 3...if there is interest.
There are still elements of this historic event that are not publicly known. There are direct connections between Ruby Ridge (92), WACO (93) and the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building Bombing (95). Serious problems within law enforcement, the Justice Dept. and the highest levels of government were never presented to the public. These issues continue to create injustice in the United States.
If we fail to learn from the past, we are likely to repeat these tragic events again and again- or worse, lose this precious democracy so many have sacrificed their lives to protect.
Some tech info- This film was shot on Super 8 and Sony VX1000 and edited on a first generation FCP system.
If you recognize the Narrator, Steven Zirnkilton- he's the guy that does the intro to Law & Order. That was a lucky addition- thanks to Jon Nealon for that. Jon also did all of the editing and online for the film, as well as some of the camera work (both video and film).
Look forward to your comments.
