Better This World
premieres Sept. 6, 2011 on POV
Critics are raving about Better This World, a dramatic tale of idealism, loyalty, crime and betrayal that follows the radicalization of boyhood friends under the tutelage of a revolutionary activist.
“Riveting… Structured like a taut thriller, “Better This World” delivers a chilling depiction of loyalty, naivete, political zealotry and the post-9/11 security state.”
— Ann Hornaday, The Washington Post“Extraordinary access… A compelling news documentary and a stunning character study of young activists in a chaotic political time.”
—Michael King, The Austin Chronicle
“A direct reflection of post-9/11 paranoia”
— Stephen Holden, The New York Times“A docu thriller with twists that will catch many by surprise… Playing out against the high drama of the GOP gathering in St. Paul, Minn., compounded by the U.S. policy of targeting terrorists as a top priority, Better This World delivers the kind of case study, rich in national and personal dimensions, that would have made the New Journalists of the ’60s and ’70s swoon.”
— Robert Koehler, Variety“Combining solid investigative journalism with a compelling storytelling format that plays like a grungier Man On Wire with much higher stakes, the filmmakers probe the facts and principal actors from all angles, and come away with a series of truly shocking dramatic twists sure to anger and incite the even the most stoic viewers.”
—Ilya Tovbis, IndieWire“What ultimately makes the film so powerful is its access and the depth of its character development.”
—Michael Mechanic, Mother Jones“Better This World is beyond frightening.”
—Chris Faraone, The Boston Phoenix“A gripping and suspenseful narrative… Shyamalan-worthy plot twists.”
—Paul Sbrizzi, Hammer to Nail“Very nearly perfect.”
—Cynthia Fuchs, PopMatters“Sharply focused and superbly put together.”
—John DeFore, The Hollywood Reporter
Better This World tells the story of Bradley Crowder and David McKay, who were accused of intending to firebomb the 2008 Republican National Convention. The results: eight homemade bombs, multiple domestic terrorism charges and a high-stakes entrapment defense hinging on the actions of Brandon Darby, a controversial FBI informant. Better This World goes to the heart of the war on terror and its impact on civil liberties and political dissent in post-9/11 America.
Watch Better This World, premiering on PBS, Tuesday, September 6, 2011, at 10 PM. (Check local listings.)
