VIFF 2020: Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President
viff 2020Directing duo Bill Flanagan and Mary Wharton's Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President is an inspiring and colossal look into the gravity of a presidential run and the flair of politics.
Aiming itself not only as a documented look at the life of President Carter but also the creative and often aloof charisma that garnered a country to vote him in elected office. Both arcs, and ultimately themes, work wonders in crafting an intimate portrait of said titular subject but also work well in harmony to really divulge the true extent of political nature, as well as power.
Carter, for starters, is not a typical president. Not taking a cent from political office after his thunderous second term defeat to Ronald Reagan in 1980, the 39th President of the United States has – from his time out of office – maintained an active and staunch stance on human rights, establishing the Carter Center. Flanagan and Wharton's film do a wonderful job of highlighting this work, not only through Carter's presidency and after the fact but on the smaller ground level and, nevertheless, integral stances on policy that would end up defining his legacy. If it is Carter's selfishness to put others forward regardless of creed, class or race, this feature brings a compelling reflective and poignant level of exposure to a much-needed discourse in this political climate.
A range of interviewees from Carter's peers and family add a significant amount of depth and weight to the previous president's character and personality. A now-infamous reveal on Willie Nelson's part adds a wonderful anecdote of smoking reefer on the roof of the Whitehouse or the quite poignant reveal of Carter's son becoming sober during the president's elected term are just a few standouts to add depth and character to anecdotes. However, it is the smaller but more touching stories in Carter's hometown, while trying to survive his family peanut business, that first brings the titular subject to his political ambitions.
Granted, when the lofty career ambitions turns into reality, the fear that Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President slowly but surely becomes a fluff piece arises. Thankfully, this is avoided. Wharton and Flanagan's film never delves into the more controversial sides of political discourse, but this is a feature that is in no way afraid to touch on the more tense and tainted elements of Carter's presidential run. Always undercut in a mood of either uplifting silver-lining or discrepancy of fault and who lays blame.
The feature consistently – in tune with Carter's moral manifesto – reinforces the power and nobility of the elected office, no matter the romanticisation or moral aptitude. Yes, the casual cameo of Bono and the ride of self-righteousness does crop its head on occasion, but to hear a multitude of rockstars discuss their political and moral emphasis due to Carter's influence is both intriguing and mesmerising. On the surface, it showcases the power of Carter and the hierarchy he led to uphold. However, the deeper, more haunting notion to touch upon is the political influence and weight the current President holds and carries regarding his ignorance and abhorrent behaviour. What does that hold in a generation of which has had every resource natually and synthtecially torn down around them? It is not Bill Flanagan and Mary Wharton's or Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President purpose to answer such question, but it undoubtedly offers a telling portrait of the power of what one man and a regime can hold.
