"The Undefeated," a pro-Sarah Palin documentary released in theaters last month, predictably drew praise from supporters of the former Alaska Governor, and some ire from her detractors. Whether the movie was a worthwhile documentary or a wide-eyed and admiring bit of political puffery is a matter for debate, but at least one team of filmmakers have decided to respond with a documentary of their own, taking an opposite tack from that of director Steve Bannon's "The Undefeated."
Two filmmakers from the United Kingdom, director Nick Broomfield and Joan Churchill, will premiere their less-than-flattering documentary of Palin at this year's Toronto International Film Festival, which begins Sept. 8. The year's lineup of films and their summaries were released on Wednesday, and the description for Broomfield and Churchill's film, titled "Sarah Palin -- You Betcha!" goes like this:
Nick Broomfield's quest for the real Sarah Palin involves battling the icy snows of Alaska in mid-winter to speak to the school friends, family, and Republican colleagues that in previous days gave their heart, soul and belief to the charismatic, charming, intoxicating ex-hockey mom. But it's not all plain sailing. People are frightened to talk; Wasilla makes Twin Peaks look like a walk in the park. It's a devout evangelical community – 76 churches with a population of only 6 thousand, and the Crystal meth capital of Alaska. Broomfield brings his celebrated wit and determination to cracking her story.
Broomfield actually has quite a lengthy filmography, including other documentaries about famous public figures, like Kurt Cobain, Tupac Shakur, and Aileen Carol Wuornos, the Florida female serial killer who was portrayed by Charlize Theron in the 2003 film "Monster." Churchill has worked with Broomfield on numerous other documentaries as a cinematographer.
Coincidentally, another documentary will play at TIFF titled "Undefeated," which is wholly unrelated to Sarah Palin and instead centers on high-school football. The film will be up against several other well-known documentary makers, including Werner Herzog -- creator of "Grizzly Man" -- and Morgan Spurlock, who created "Super Size Me." See the full list of films, here.