THE STORY – Explores the life and career of independent investigative journalist Amy Goodman and her work on the news program Democracy Now!.
THE CAST – Amy Goodman
THE TEAM – Carl Deal & Tia Lessin (Directors)
THE RUNNING TIME – 98 Minutes
For many, it might seem as if politics has only recently become the crazed arena of exhausting trials that dominates all our senses. The news is unending chaos in every corner, and it’s tempting to yearn for a simpler time when our lives were not constantly upended by some novel events that continually add stress and anarchy to our baseline of living. However, those who follow the political world closely are quite aware that this battle has never really subsided. The intensity may have been felt more severely in recent years, but warring factions have existed globally since the beginning of history. For those with the calling to track it, the reporters and journalists find themselves at the center of a whirling storm. They head right into this mess with a determination to expose an important truth to the masses. It’s what “Steal This Story, Please!” has in its sights, highlighting the profile of one of the most trusted soldiers in this precarious fight. It’s an enlightening examination, even if its execution is also pedestrian.
The subject here is Amy Goodman, a journalist best known as a reporter for the news program Democracy Now. For decades, she has been committed to documenting some of the world’s most important topics, often to expose the corruption that infiltrates government and businesses seeking to control the populace. Whether it be relaying reports of massacres in Southeast Asia, civil unrest in Africa, or overzealous police forces in the United States, Goodman has been a relentless fighter to bring this important news to the world. Her tenacity has propelled her passions for decades, often putting her at odds with powerful figures on both sides of the political spectrum. However, even as the world evolves, the need to uncover important events never ceases. Her early struggles to establish her place in the industry give way to the influential status she currently occupies.
There are two sides to this portrait that directors Carl Deal and Tia Lessin aim to showcase: the professional and personal sides of Goodman’s career. In a sense, they are intertwined, and these sides offer intriguing insight into her work ethic and moral standing. Hearing her recall how journalism strongly influenced her childhood, when her brother ran a family newspaper, is a fascinating foundation. An incident in which her brother, encouraged by their mother not to print an embarrassing family story, refused to bow to censorship is an amusing anecdote. Still, it’s also enlightening to see how such strong integrity was instilled so early. However, these more personal asides are not the bulk of the film’s perspective, and cutting away to them tends to disrupt the overall momentum. The timeline goes back and forth, constantly reorienting the structure in a manner that can become exhausting. The filmmaking relies heavily on talking-head interviews and archival footage, with the occasional glimpse of Goodman interacting with her peers. It’s not the most novel approach to document this subject matter, even if the material is compelling.
It’s much more engrossing to witness the breadth of Goodman’s career and the harrowing stories she has brought to life. There are plenty of foreign entanglements that have gone unnoticed and forgotten by many, which are important reminders of the violence that can be inflicted on a populace fighting back against oppression. Hearing the accounts of a bloody reaction against a group of protesters in Timor is absolutely horrific, and Goodman’s recalling of the event is chilling and disturbing, as she suffered injuries herself. The difficulties in uncovering the collusion between oil companies and the Nigerian government to murder a resistance fighter is an enthralling tale of her own devotion to challenge those in power. The most amusing aside has to be a contentious discussion between Goodman and Bill Clinton, when he called into her radio program for a quick Election Day rally and instead got a combative interview with a series of tough questions. It demonstrates the tireless effort she put into extorting the truth from the world’s most powerful and influential figures. It did not matter what country they represented or what side of the aisle they supposedly fell upon. There is a thrill in watching her become so fearless in these situations, even if it means charging into literal war zones to report vital truth.
There is no question that many will find much encouragement in the activism that “Steal This Story, Please!” elevates. At the same time, it should be noted that it remains a piece of political propaganda, and, as such, the impact of this narrative can only go so far. Not all propaganda is inherently negative, but it does mean the audience it intends to reach is meant to reaffirm a message rather than portray a wholly nuanced or complex understanding. Even those who wholeheartedly agree with its message may wince at the hint of self-satisfaction, or at least believe it is preaching to the choir with a surface-level analysis. The credits rolling over a song with lyrics proclaiming “people have the power,” with a “Resist” flag waving in the background, is not subtle messaging. Still, the film isn’t really meant to work as a conversion but merely to put a spotlight on an individual and their tireless effort for progressive causes. If that sounds like a worthwhile endeavor, then this film will be quite fulfilling. Anyone seeking something with more depth will not find it here, but there are still worthy stories to tell.
