The documentary 11-4-08 The Day of Change is a compilation of footage shot by various amateur and professional filmmakers. It is a rare user-generated film that was shot in a single day. It was born out of one man’s request and desire to have this possibly historic day caught on tape from around the world. Some of the renowned independent filmmakers included Henry Joost (Catfish), Joe Swanberg (Alexander the Last) and many more were involved.
Filmmaker and Acquisition Manager of the IFC, Jeff Deutchman was curious indeed to see just exactly how history would be revealed from the eye of a camera. All footage taped on 11/04/08 was sent to him from all corners of the globe with just 2 weeks to go before the election of the President of The United States. In speaking with Deutchman I learned that he had no intention of dabbling with filmmaking. The idea had just presented itself, by way of his experiences and the whole fantastical political arena surrounding the 2008 elections.
In regards to the limitations of 2 weeks preparation, Deutchman responds, “This could have been different, could have become something different, but I think what’s interesting about this is that because of the technology that exists now, like face book it is possible to put something together along these lines in that amount of time because really production is really one day.” I spoke with Deutchman about his criteria for his requested footage. He preferred observational stance. “It’s not that I’m afraid of the film being political, I think its political by its nature, I guess what I meant by …when I sent that email to everyone, Don’t go around telling people what they should be thinking or trying to influence events.” He clarifies, “There were some people who were Obama volunteers, who picked up the camera and shot footage of themselves. Obviously they were already doing something political… But I didn’t want the camera to become an act of political persuasion…”
I inquired as to his position on receiving any oppositional views, defamation or even racial comments and adding it to the film. He talked about his concern over one footage that he felt was interesting enough to put on his website, but decided to leave out of the film; Footage of conservative women watching the returns. “I decided it didn’t fit into the film, I wanted to use it initially but eventually decided it didn’t fit, and I think the reason was that it felt a little bit lonely. I received such a small amount, really that was the only conservative footage I initially received I think in the context of the footage that I received it felt almost like I was making fun of them by inserting them among the Obama supporters and that’s not what I wanted to do, It just didn’t seem to fit what the movie was becoming which I think was more about Obama supports.”
In the aftermath of the election and then the film, Deutchman’s 11-04-08 The Day of Change proudly premiered at the SXSW in March 2010 along with some Kick Ass (the movie) headliners; Get Low, Cyrus, The people Vs George Lucas and a so much more. Deutchman didn’t hesitate to contact those individuals who were filmed; he would have loved for them to be a part of all of this. He was excited to see those he was able to locate, watch the finished product, watching themselves, forever imbedded in history.
Get more information at http://www.11-4-08.com
