The Candidate - A Documentary About What's Wrong With American Politics

An interview with film maker Jack C. Newell and an invitation to the August 17 world premier in Chicago

This is an interview of film director Jack Newell about “The Candidate,” his documentary on my run for US Congress. (Disclaimer: neither of us were paid for the documentary or this interview). The Candidate was directed by Jack C. Newell and produced by Emmy nominated actor Lamorne Morris.

Jack has scheduled The Candidate world premier film screening in Chicago on August 17. If you’re in the area, we’d love to have you attend! Get your tickets here. Without further delay, here’s the interview. Let’s Address This.

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1. Who are you and why are you in my inbox?

My name is Jack Newell, I am a filmmaker and a long-time (won’t say how long) friend of one Qasim Rashid Esq. In 2020 I started a documentary about Qasim’s political work and I’m here today to announce that it’s done!

The Candidate director Jack C. Newell

2. How would you describe this documentary in one sentence?

THE CANDIDATE - documents progressive democrat Qasim Rashid as he battles xenophobia, covid, and corporate interests in two different congressional races against well-funded incumbents; first against a Virginia republican in 2020, and in 2024 against an Illinois democrat.

3. You’ve known Qasim for most of his life. Was he as handsome and charming as a teen as he is now?

I get this question a lot and I’ll say now what I always say when someone asks me this, “I think I hear a phone ringing in the other room - I need to go get that.”

4. What are the key themes and narratives you focused on in The Candidate, and how do they reflect the broader issues in American politics?

The Candidate focuses on three different and interconnected themes - it is ⅓ a  film about civics, ⅓ is about the system that currently exists in American politics, and ⅓ of an exploration of “the character” of Qasim Rashid - who is this guy and it reveals what it takes to run for office. I want the audience to decide if they think the system is broken, not broken, or functioning as designed and in need of change.

5. This documentary was your idea, not Qasim’s. You bore all costs and expenses. And you spent four years working on it. Why?

That’s right - it was my idea and I remember that during the summer of 2020 I reached out to Qasim saying I wanted to do this film but had a few conditions - I had to be given total access to the campaign, no oversight, and the ability to make the film I wanted to make. Basically, I offered him something that would be easy to say no to, and then when I spoke to Ayodele (Qasim’s campaign manager) and Qasim that first time on the phone, the question Ayodele had for me was “how much money do you need from us to do this?” And I was like - “No, I can’t take any money from you - that would be a commercial. I want to make a documentary about this and so I can’t take any money.” and Ayo was like “cool - good by me,” and so was Qasim.

So, once I was given carte blanche, I then had to make the film - lol.

I’m interested in politics, I’m interested in democracy and I believe that not enough people know how any of this works. Qasim also is a great “character” because he is a smart, decent, thoughtful, good person who seems to genuinely want to help people and make America better and who wouldn’t want to watch that?

6. In what ways does your documentary stand out from other political documentaries currently available?

There’s not been a film that shows the same candidate running against a Republican and a Democrat - and in showing that the film becomes more about the system and not the individuality of a particular race. Politicians are famously cagey about media and generally not open to someone making a film like how I wanted to - with no oversight and no approvals from them. So, what you get from a lot of political docs is no real access - or access that only is given if the candidate is winning. You see it all the time where you can feel the moment the candidate no longer wants to let the team film them - and in this case, Qasim and the folks in the doc never cut us out. The access that we have and, by proxy, the audience gets is like you’re with them during the experience. There’s almost no films like that in this space.

7. When and how can audiences watch The Candidate, especially for the premiere in Chicago on August 17th?

We are premiering The Candidate as a part of a series that I co-created called Docs for Democracy at the Gene Siskel Film Center on August 17th at 6pm. Qasim and I will be there for a lengthy talk-back after the film. Tickets available here.

Kicking off in Chicago during the DNC in August and available through November, this series uses the films as a catalyst for political action during the election season and an opportunity to build community around cinema.

If you’re not in Chicago on August 17th, we might be coming to a town near you this fall. If you want to invite us or help coordinate, email me jackcnewell@zaxiefilms.com.

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