On January 20th, Donald Trump will be inaugurated as the 47th president of the United States of America. With that in mind, there will be a virtual screening tonight at 8 pm CST of The Candidate, a feature length documentary taking a compelling and intimate look at progressive Democrat Qasim Rashid’s campaign for U.S. Congress. The 8 pm CST screening will be followed by an instagram live with Qasim Rashid, Producer Lamorne Morris, and Director and Chicago filmmaker Jack C Newell.
Rashid shared with SCREEN, “If we have learned one thing over the past decade (or the past few weeks), it is that corporate and dark money influence has desecrated our politics and undermined the very purpose of a government that exists by, of, and for the people.”
Director Jack Newell added, “In 2020 and 2024 I followed my high school friend, Qasim Rashid, in his runs for the U.S. House of Representatives. First against a Republican in a ruby red district, then in a primary against Democrat in a deep blue one. What these two races across the aisle reveal are the systemic issues – irrespective of political beliefs or policy positions – that are harming our American democracy – dark money, political polarization, and xenophobia.”
Finally, the team declared to SCREEN in a joint statement: “We are hosting this screening and instagram live just before the inauguration to remind us why we fight and what we’re fighting for as well as giving folks some tools for how to move forward over the next four years and beyond.”
