Proof enough is that many of them will be casting their ballots for a Democrat for the first time.
Holocaust Museum’s Board
The project was a career turn for Pink.
But Pink also has been expanding into other genres, including the romance dramaThe Wheel(2021).
Adam Kinzinger and Steve PinkGareth Cattermole/Getty Images for IMDb
Upcomingis a psychological thrillerstarring Jermaine Fowler, James Morosini and Pauline Chalamet, among others.
DEADLINE: This documentary was quite an evolution in your career.
In the movie, Adam Kinzinger even mentions one of your past works,Hot Tub Time Machine.
It was this little romantic drama that we did during Covid.
DEADLINE:I would think one of the bigger challenges was earning Adam Kinzingers trust.
How did you approach him and and how did that come about?
PINK:We have a company called the Media Courthouse Documentary Collective that my good friends started.
Because Im a political junkie, the idea of doing a political subject was really intriguing.
I couldnt be less interested in documenting the life of a Republican, because Im a far left progressive.
And I think he was interested in that.
And I was like, You loveHot Tub Time Machines?
He said, Yeah, I really loveHot Tub Time Machine.
Thats my favorite movie.
So suddenly we had this common ground because we had these obviously opposing political views.
That opened up our friendship and he trusted me more to follow him around.
DEADLINE: Did it take a while for him to get used to the camera following him around?
At first, all of their answers when I was around were very formal.
And I tended to stay out a little way.
I tended to be a fly on the wall, and would pick my spots to ask them questions.
I wouldnt ask them any questions.
DEADLINE: Did you run into problems with the January 6th Committee giving you access?
PINK:Not problems, but it took a long time for us to get permission.
We had to get permission from Bennie Thompson, the chairman.
PINK:That was an unexpected part of the documentary that we captured.
It was far from clear that it would become the kind of summer event that it became.
DEADLINE: What surprised you about kind of the end of this story, where Kinzinger leaves Congress?
PINK:Well, it was bittersweet, because all of these things were happening at once for Adam.
DEADLINE: Did it surprise you that he got to where he is?
He spoke at the Democratic Convention.
Hes endorsed Kamala Harris.
PINK:Hes consistent in his views.
He has truly held beliefs.
He doesnt waver that much for that from them.
So I think he became a natural choice as a spokesperson for country over party.
So at the moment, youre saying, Its not politics anymore.
Its the preservation of democracy.
I find that to be cowardice, and so does Adam.
DEADLINE: Given your political views, how much did you get in arguments just over issues with him?
PINK:All the time.
I tend to be a little belligerent.
I havent interacted with that many lawmakers.
So its like, heres this expert in politics, right?
I found out quick that we, in fact, did disagree vehemently.
So that I learned a lot in terms of how to disagree with people who have opposing political views.
That became kind of what the film in way becomes about.
It starts as a Profile in Courage, and then becomes a movie about the importance of civil discourse.
DEADLINE: What do you think his future is?
PINK:Thats a hard question for me to answer.
I think he has a bright future.
The thing that kept him going, this desire to serve.
That was his fear.
When he revealed that in my interview, I was astounded.
I was like, Oh, thats what the movie is actually about.
Its not Profile in Courage about a guy who did all these brave things.
