Posted on 08/11/2011 11:02:07 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
"The Undefeated" could be considered an interesting title for a film about Sarah Palin, a woman who lost the 2008 presidential campaign as Sen. John McCain's running mate.
To filmmaker and Laguna Beach resident Stephen K. Bannon, the title is far from ironic.
"The reason I wanted to make it was that I was tired of people on Wall Street and in Washington calling her 'Caribou Barbie'," he said.
The documentary, which opened in theaters July 15, follows Palin's entry into the American political landscape — her time as the mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, her stint as governor, her designation as the first Republican woman nominated for the vice presidency and her popularity within the tea party movement.
A former investment banker, Bannon is no stranger to film or to conservative politics.
The co-founder of the National Tea Party Federation, he wrote and directed "Fire from the Heartland," a film about Rep. Michele Bachmann, and "Generation Zero," which is about the financial collapse in America.
Rebecca Mansour, an aide who works for Palin, reached out to Bannon regarding video production. Bannon told Mansour he didn't do commercials, but he did have an idea for a film.
The first few minutes of the film show the way Palin has been crucified by the media and the public, Bannon said, and it may be hard for some to watch.
"I wanted to grab the audience by the throat and shake them out of their complacency," he said.
Bannon feels Palin is dismissed by detractors because of her gender.
Democrats and even many Republicans don't take the former Alaska governor seriously, he said.
"I really dug down and got to the roots of what a successful executive she'd been. I get irritated that people treat them like bimbos," Bannon said, also referring to Michele Bachmann.
Gerrie Schipske, executive director of the Democratic Party of Orange County, said that although she doesn't agree with Palin's politics, she believes that women politicians struggle to get the same respect as their male counterparts.
"The bottom line is that I do not support her or her huckster antics and misguided views on public policy, but I will concede that a portion of her vilification stems from her being female," Schipske, a Long Beach city councilwoman, said in an email. "We are still not comfortable in this society with women who have the 'ovaries' to take power. There are many who feel that women need to be in the background and not take the spotlight."
Although Palin gave her endorsement of the film in an interview with Fox News' Greta Van Susteren, she was not interviewed for or given any creative control over the film.
The film uses archival footage — home videos, public speeches and videos from her campaigns.
"I didn't want to interview her. This is not a PBS documentary," Bannon said. "This is a drama. I put people in the seat of Gov. Palin."
Tom Pollitt, a founder of the Newport Mesa Tea Party, took a seat recently at The Block at Orange for a showing of the film.
Pollitt said the film educated him on the Palin that Alaska knows.
"The media played it up as if she was doing all these illegal things and unethical things," he said. "From the movie's point of view, it showed that she changed the political climate in Alaska."
Yes.
Bannon begrudges those who treat Palin and Bachmann as 'bimbos'; not to be taken seriously. Yet we now have Palin fanatics talking The Undefeated up whilst simultaneously denouncing; oft maligning, Michele Bachmann.
This is the height of irony, and irrationality, that I am confident will be totally lost on those Palin supporters guilty of the aforementioned infractions.
You have continuously spoken against Sarah - you are guilty of what you are accusing others of - that’s a liberal tactic! MB is no Sarah - but they are both women!
detractors...
You constantly berate Sarah and those of us that support her, yet fail to see your own irrationality.
These are real signals of an attitude of superiority, much like a liberal who knows so much more than us rubes with our guns and Bibles.
I’m absolutely sure that many if not all were wondering with each question...what would Sarah have said?
EAGLES UP SARAH...the contest for America is yours for the taking. WE THE PEOPLE are patiently, or unpatiently, waiting for your entrance.
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