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Paul Ryan's hometown under microscope of new film

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    'As Goes Janesville' tells story of Wisconsin town

  • Duration 4:22
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Janesville Wisconsin is where I was born and raised and I never really left -- our home now.

About Paul -- Paul Ryan's hometown of Janesville Wisconsin a perfect example of the problems our country faces in many ways.

In 2000 -- losses local GM plant.

The oldest GM plant in the country but the people of -- remained resilient.

And their reaction to the recession -- and local filmmakers -- Eleven a very -- mom community.

Death -- they have -- families I that you're here.

-- -- -- Stay here it's so much heavier.

But the film titled is gonna lose Janesville premieres October ninth.

On PB yes to joining us right now live this morning from Milwaukee the man behind that movie Brad Lichtenstein Brad welcome what timing.

What did you think did Paul Ryan gets the nomination it -- to the forefront in this.

You tapes Paul Ryan which is not yet -- use -- why.

Well we actually -- such an intimate story I follow five people and James fell over the course of five years I'm sorry over the course of three years.

And three of them are laid off workers you just met one in the clip you showed what is a business leader was a political leader.

And it just didn't really fit to have -- in the film because we were -- such close up personal story and he was mostly in Washington but that time we were filming.

Why -- Why did James Bell for a few reasons one is my wife is actually from their side -- the community I knew about the GM plant when it closed.

I want to tell a story about our economic crisis that would be told on a human level so that could follow people in a town.

That thought was a microcosm for America.

And I started of course I had no idea that Paul -- would be nominated vice presidential candidate for the GOP.

I also had no idea that there would be a recall election which is a big piece of -- where film.

We follow in fact one of that people and that is a state senator named Tim Collins a Democrat who's kind of caught in the Middle East trying to negotiate with Governor Walker to.

And -- stand off of a collective bargaining.

And it's actually what the tragic moments I think is that the political polarization that so captured our country.

Plays out in James Bell and so you have Tim -- trying to negotiate.

An end to the standoff and Governor Walker when he was talking to who we thought -- -- Coke brother.

Was telling him dad I wouldn't talk to Tim -- because he's just a pragmatist she's just trying to get something done right so unique thing I kind of -- -- We'll go -- site.

Outside nonpartisanship.

You don't want politics -- play a role you wanna tell a story.

But I -- it -- because there was controversy after Paul Ryan's speech because he mentions Janesville mentions the GM plant that was the President Obama promised to reopen.

But hasn't and it closed where you stand on that.

Well personally I don't really take a stand but in terms of a filmmaker -- made a film that I hope it's gonna teach us that political polarization.

Stands in the way of economic redevelopment.

I am kind of mourning what happened because on the one hand I understand.

That Paul Ryan was trying to illustrate a larger point but I also understand that it's not true that you can blame President Obama for closing the plant.

And I know exactly.

What the dates are noted that plant for all intents and purposes shut down December 23 2008.

A few workers remained in that plant to fulfill.

And this is -- truck quarter and that lasted on into the spring but for all intents and purposes the entire town was trying to come to gather.

Right after that plant shut down in December they formed a task force it was kind of a golden moment actually because Democrats -- tied to Steve he says you can't build it.

Well it's a -- it's a longer speech I looked at that speech pretty carefully because I use a little snippet actually in the first two minutes of my -- And the largest speeches about his economic policies and he kind of like Paul Ryan is using it as an illustration of where he wants to take the country.

People can check out the movie it's called as goes -- don't.

Thanks so much Brad good luck with it.

-- and it's also it's October -- not -- my daughter to be asked independent labs thanks am thank you.

You got it on -- show prison.

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