'Pontiac's Rebellion' at Music Box Theatre
As former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich continues his national media blitz following his federal corruption trial, Chicagoans will soon have the opportunity to see an award-winning documentary that shows the human impact behind Blagojevich's governing style.
Six weeks before Blagojevich was arrested, he announced he would close Pontiac Correctional Center by Dec. 31, 2008.
"One community's fight against the governor to save their prison and their town" is the tagline of "Pontiac's Rebellion," an independent documentary playing Sunday, Sept. 12, at 5:30 p.m.
The Music Box Theatre on 3733 N. Southport Ave. in Chicago will present the film as part of the Chicago United Film Festival. Tickets to the showing are $10.
The documentary chronicles the people of Pontiac's struggle to save their second-largest employer, and save themselves from economic devastation. Blagojevich's reason for the closure was $4 million in savings for the state, but the citizens of Pontiac believed it was a political move.
Former Pontiac Mayor Scott McCoy was a key player in the fight to save the prison.
"Blagojevich came after Pontiac's prison as political punishment," said McCoy. "After his arrest, the world now understands that's exactly how Blago operated. And he thinks it's 'just how politics works.' Even though I lived this real life story, I still come to tears and cheer at the end every time I see (the documentary)."
Lake Zurich native Brian Seay was an Illinois State University graduate student and an ABC affiliate photojournalist in Peoria when he produced and directed the film.
"Chicagoans are familiar with Obama's Senate seat ... and the racetrack stories, but the Pontiac story is a forgotten chapter in Blagojevich's gubernatorial downfall," said Seay. "This is an important story about a group of people in the state of Illinois using their democratic voice to stand up for themselves."
Both McCoy and Seay will answer audience questions after the showing.
Currently, Seay is getting another graduate degree in Public Affairs Reporting at the University of Illinois at Springfield working on a documentary about the Gulf oil spill. Seay also interned at Teamworks Media in Chicago where he worked on "The Street Stops Here," a documentary also showing at the CUFF.
If you goWhat: "Pontiac's Rebellion" Chicago premiere When: 5:30 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 12. A QA will follow.Where: Music Box Theatre, 3733 N. Southport Ave., ChicagoTickets: $10More info: theunitedfest.com/chicago and imdb.com/title/tt1527702False1051701"Pontiac's Rebellion" Director Brian Seay shooting last summer near a mural of Chief Pontiac.Courtesy Scott McCoyFalse