While opposition by numerous environmental groups had
done nothing to halt this auction, DeChristopher found a way to disrupt the
proceedings. He entered the building and was given a bidding card (number 70).
He began winning parcels of land, with no intention of drilling, and with no
way to pay for the land. For this action he was arrested. He was charged with
two separate counts, which could give him a total of ten years in prison and a
pretty hefty fine.
The auction action wasn’t a one-time stunt for Tim
DeChristopher. It is one part of something much larger, working with the
climate movement. The film follows both the trial and the movement
simultaneously, an interesting way of showing how his action fits into the
larger picture. Tim tells us, “You
appreciate things a lot more once you’ve worked to defend them.”
While the film relies heavily on interviews with Tim
DeChristopher, following him through the entire process, it also features
interviews with many other people, including Robert Redford, several members of
Peaceful Uprising, DeChristopher’s lawyers and Patrick Shea, former director
Bureau of Land Management. (A title card informs us that all current staff of
the Bureau of Land Management and Department of Interior declined to be
interviewed for this film.)
The film does show us the land that he bid on, and it is
absolutely gorgeous. There is also footage of Peaceful Uprising’s street
theatreOf course, the trial itself comes to take center place in
the film. It is originally scheduled for July 27, 2009, and then is postponed
several times (to September 2009, March 2010, May 2010, September 2010 and then
finally February 2011). Tim DeChristopher and his lawyers are denied by the
judge the use of the selective prosecution defense (twenty-five other people
over the past few years had won leases and not paid for them). Tim is offered a
plea bargain which would still include some jail time. He turns it down,
because he wants a jury to be involved.
Meanwhile, the auction itself is overturned. The
government admits to wrong doing. Yet the trial goes ahead, which is completely
insane. There is footage of the peaceful protest outside of the courthouse.
Daryl Hannah says to the crowd, “This is
the coolest protest I’ve ever been at because I’ve never seen so many people
smiling.” And that really is at the heart of this documentary. It’s a very
positive film, with an equally positive message: that one person can make a
difference.
Interestingly, the documentary includes interviews with
activists who have served time in prison – folks like David Harris, an anti-war
activist. And he actually talks to Tim about prison. That is one of the things
about this documentary that I really like: In addition to interviews conducted
with many people, the film places several of those people together with Tim,
and shows us their interactions. This works to actually bring us closer to Tim,
and give us a stronger indication and feeling of what he’s going through,
because he’s learning things just as we are over the course of the film. And
the interview with Christine DeChristopher, Tim’s mother, helps give the
background of Tim’s convictions, which is also important to help us understand
how this act of civil disobedience came about.
Bonus Feature
The DVD includes a special feature, “Q&A with Tim
DeChristopher.” This was shot after a screening of Bidder 70 in Salt Lake City. Tim is so eloquent. Check out what he
has to say about the role of the jury in the legal system. This stuff is as
interesting as the film itself, and I’m glad it’s included on the DVD.
Bidder 70 was
directed by Beth Gage and George Gage. The film is out in theatres now. It will
be available on DVD on July 16, 2013 through First Run Features.
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