Documentary on Pennsylvania Treasurer Budd Dwyer to Premiere in L.A. in Tandem with Digital Release

June 27, 2011 - PRLog -- More than 24 years after the shocking televised suicide of Pennsylvania Treasurer R. Budd Dwyer that topped headlines and newscasts across the country, Los Angeles filmmaker James Dirschberger’s documentary about the life of the revered, yet much scrutinized politician, HONEST MAN: THE LIFE OF R. BUDD DWYER, will make its L.A. premiere at Cinema Speakeasy at the Royal/T in Culver City on July 29. Members of Dwyer’s family including son Rob Dywer and sister Mary Kun will participate in a post screening Q&A. In conjunction with the premiere, HONEST MAN will be released across multiple digital platforms including Amazon VOD and Hulu, as well as on the newly re-launched website for HONEST MAN that will feature unparalleled access to the Dwyer archives.

HONEST MAN is a skillfully crafted independent feature documentary that retraces the life of Budd Dwyer, a Pennsylvania politician who infamously committed suicide at a televised press conference. The film chronicles Dwyer's meteoric rise to political power and examines the bribery scandal and subsequent trial that pushed him to his breaking point. Featuring exclusive new interviews with Dwyer's family, friends, and colleagues, including a candid, heartfelt interview with Dwyer's widow - her last before her death in 2009 - and a rare, revealing interview with William Smith, the man whose testimony convicted Dwyer, HONEST MAN reveals a story that has remained untold for over 24 years. This portrait of a man swept up in the turbulent and cutthroat political world of the 1980s will undoubtedly raise important questions about Dwyer's presumed guilt, as well as the ethical choices that the media makes in showing violent images to the American public, an issue that is ever so present even in today’s media landscape.

Dirschberger has toured with HONEST MAN over the past year at film festivals, theatrical engagements and special screenings on both coasts. In January, on the 24th anniversary of Dwyer’s death, HONEST MAN screened in Dywer’s hometown of Meadville, Penn., at his alma matter, Allegheny College, where veteran television reporter Lou Baxter moderated a Q&A with Dirschberger and Dwyer’s family. A sold out crowd of people who knew Dwyer during his lifetime attended the emotional discussion. HONEST MAN is set to air soon on nearby local PBS affiliate WQLN-TV in Erie, Penn.

Since the film’s theatrical and DVD release, HONEST MAN has generated revenues well beyond the film’s modest $13,000 budget. The theatrical screenings alone made up for more than 65% of the film’s return. During the films theatrical run in Harrisburg, Penn., HONEST MAN not only broke every sales record in the Midtown Cinema's history, but it also exceeded the sales totals at the theater of both "Waiting for Superman" and "Inside Job" combined.

Through the use of Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr, HONEST MAN has generated a word of mouth, grassroots campaign that has continued to fuel DVD sales and boost the attendance of each screening. Beginning with the L.A. premiere on July 29, the film will be available for direct download and streaming on such digital platforms as Amazon VOD and Hulu. The DVD retails for $19.99 and includes commentary tracks, unseen interviews, speeches, photos and documents related to the Dwyer case.

On the newly re-launched HONEST MAN website on July 29, the Dwyer Archives will be an online information source containing unseen documents, photos and video related to the Dwyer saga. The collection will include the original journal entries of Dwyer, which have never been seen before. These heartbreaking entries detail the final days of a man who was pushed to the brink and desperate for a miracle that never came. In addition, family photos, news clippings and court transcripts will all be available to download and share.

Audience reaction and critical praise for HONEST MAN has been overwhelmingly positive. The Philadelphia Examiner heralds, “This film is perhaps the most emotionally poignant documentary that I've ever seen. DVDTalk.com raves, “HONEST MAN builds its case meticulously, bringing to mind Errol Morris' best work... an overpowering achievement.” TwitchFilm.com says, “It is a fitting tribute to a man who deserves better than the legacy that has been built around him. Watch it, and change your mind.“ And Stark Insider proclaims, “Poignant moments abound... an incredibly riveting documentary.”

“It’s an honor to finally show HONEST MAN here in Los Angeles, where I hope to introduce it to a new and more diverse audience,” Dirschberger said. “The digital release will also enable people to view the film in the comfort of their homes. While I ultimately hope viewers will draw their own conclusions about why Budd Dwyer took his life, I certainly hope it will lead to justice and closure for his family.”

Director/Producer James Dirschberger is originally from Buffalo, NY, a few short hours north of Budd Dwyer's hometown of Meadville. Dirschberger moved to San Francisco in 2002 to pursue filmmaking. Since then, he has teamed up with numerous Bay Area artists to create successful collaborative animations, music videos, short films and documentaries. He moved to Los Angeles earlier in 2011. His films have screened around the world and have accumulated over one million views online. He is currently developing an animated series for television. HONEST MAN is his first feature film, developed by his production company, Eighty Four Films.

“Millions of people have seen the video of Dwyer’s death on the Internet but very little is known about the circumstances leading to the dramatic event. In our era of extreme rhetoric and a dehumanizing press corps, we at Cinema Speakeasy think that this movie presents an especially salient look at the potential repercussions to our callous treatment of public figures - be they politician or celebrity. Dirschberger presents a humanizing account of the man behind the infamy, and we’re proud to show this thoughtful documentary,” said Cinema Speakeasy Founder Saskia Wilson-Brown.

Cinema Speakeasy showcases films in regular programs at locations around Los Angeles and San Francisco. It is committed to exhibiting totally independent media, in all its permutations – films rarely seen in a theatre chain or on network TV, but always very worth watching. Cinema Speakeasy is also committed to having a good time, which often involves drinking alcohol and introducing its patrons to a group of their new best friends. More info at http://cinemaspeakeasy.com.

To RSVP for guaranteed entry to the July 29 screening of HONEST MAN at Cinema Speakeasy at the Royal/T in Culver City, email heythere@cinemaspeakeasy.com. Tickets to be sold at the door for $10. 15% of Cinema Speakeasy’s proceeds will be given back to the filmmaker. Doors open at 7:00PM. Come early and eat some good food at Royal/T’s café. The screening will start promptly at 8:30PM. The Royal/T is located at 8910 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232. More info at http://www.royal-t.org/.

For more information on HONEST MAN, visit http://DwyerMovie.com/.

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