Dawn Porter will reunite with Congressman John Lewis for her next project. Per The Hollywood Reporter, the “Trapped” filmmaker is directing a documentary about Lewis’ most recent congressional campaign and his role in the 116th Congress’ first year. The two previously worked together on Porter’s RFK docuseries “Bobby Kennedy for President,” in which Lewis appeared as an interviewee.
The as-yet untitled CNN Films doc will trace Lewis’ work as a Democratic politician and as a civil rights icon. Principal photography began in September 2018 when the Georgia representative “began an exhaustive campaign schedule for himself and others in advance of the 2018 U.S. midterm elections and continued through the first year of the historic 116th Congress,” according to the source. “[Porter’s] cameras captured a modern political thriller that unfolded as the nation lurched toward a record-setting government shutdown. The film will continue to follow the Congressman through 2019. Using interviews and archival footage, the the doc will chronicle Lewis’ 60-plus years of social activism and legislative action on civil rights, voting rights, gun control, health-care reform, and immigration.”
Using cinema verité style, Porter will also interview political leaders, other members of Congress, and those close to Lewis for the project. Lewis’ “speeches and achievements will be highlighted through rare and recently discovered writings, insights from Lewis and people in his inner circle, as well as visual and audio archival material.”
Currently serving his 17th term in Congress, Lewis was an integral part of the Civil Rights Movement. He was one of the “Bix Six” leaders who planned the March on Washington, Chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, and he helped oversee the Selma march on March 7, 1965. The latter is better known as “Bloody Sunday” because it was the target of brutal, racially-charged violence. Lewis has been arrested over 40 times, been physically attacked, and sustained serious injuries in his work for civil rights, yet he’s remained a staunch advocate of nonviolence.
“John Lewis is a national treasure whose leadership paved the way for a generation,” Porter emphasized. “In much the same way as his life and work has been shaped by great civil rights leaders, Congressman Lewis continues to serve the country, introducing legislation to protect our most fundamental rights. There has never been a more urgent need for the type of moral and compassionate leadership that he embodies,” she said. “I am excited to show the world how John Lewis continues to make what he calls ‘good trouble.'”
Porter and Laura Michalchyshyn will produce the doc via Trilogy Films. Also producing are CNN Worldwide exec vp, talent and content development, Amy Entelis, CNN Films vp Courtney Sexton, and “Get Out” actress Erika Alexander.
“CNN Films is honored to be a part of telling Rep. John Lewis’ historic life through Dawn’s film,” stated Entelis and Sexton. “We hope generations to come will learn from Mr. Lewis’ remarkable American story.”
“Spies of Mississippi” and “Gideon’s Army” are among Porter’s previous feature docs. She also directed the hour-long 2017 TV documentary “Fatherless,” which follows actor-comedian Baron Vaughn as he sets out to meet his father for the first time.
