BIG TENT FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN FOR NEW FEATURE DOCUMENTARY
A lie is halfway around the world before the truth |
In the end, this is a film about literature, history and justice. |
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most secret agent from Subterracon on Vimeo. What's the purpose of the secret agent? There's a thousand guys in the field like me. Producer's Statement
While we continued the process of distributing our feature documentary on Ford Madox Ford, It Was the Nightingale, I began to turn my attention to new projects that had been cooking in me for some time.
One such project is called Union, and is set in rural United States and deals with how we see ourselves as Americans and its impact on the world around us. But this is a long-development film and we had time to work another. Like the rest of us, I have been captured by recent headlines and the resulting movements and social protests as a result of injustice and amoral political chicanery. And as I explored things further, a character began to develop, who on the surface may not appear to be an important factor, but who kept cropping up in various forms at the heart of so many disturbing stories - the agent provocateur. They may be human, or a collection of humans, or a digital algorithm. But they are always man-made. Joseph Conrad saw this and wrote about it in his novel, The Secret Agent - the man-made agency to do harm or undermine good. I thought, this is it! This is the story to tell. It's a funny old story, featuring funny old characters. But they continue to define the issues around us as they operate in the dark. Time to shed some light and wander in their world. It's our best protection against the effects of their action. Nonprofit SupportSubterracon is proud to announce that our film projects have been approved for fiscal sponsorship from the premier arts support organization in the US, Fractured Atlas.
Our projects, designed to educate and invigorate the global community, have been selected to join a distinguished group of artists and projects worthy of support. Fractured Atlas will help us achieve the standard of success that we have set for ourselves, and will help ensure our projects are produced successfully, transparently and in a fiscally responsible manner. 
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About the FilmWhen truth fights power, power fights dirty! ...
Enter the agents provocateurs. They are the human tools employed by the powerful to create confusion, chaos and protect injustice. And they are at the heart of our film, The Most Secret Agent. We are still fascinated by the secret agent, in all his (or her) guises - as the agitator, the infiltrator, the spy - this ultra-pragmatist whose job is to make us doubt our eyes and memories. And of course, this figure is still with us more than ever - secret agent humans, bots and drones. And why should we care? Just ask peace and human rights groups everywhere. Or the Black Lives Matter movement, or the Parkland students, or all nations with democratic elections. Ask them what they have to fight hardest against and they'll often tell you it's the infiltrator with bad intentions! That is, if they are even aware of their presence. In the aftermath of 9/11, Joseph Conrad’s novel, The Secret Agent, written in 1907, was one of the most cited literary works in America. Our film starts there, looking at the history of the author, the book and the real-life events that inspired it. And from that point we will investigate why it all still matters today. It's the story of anarchists, saboteurs, terrorists, moral activists, tragic dupes, Facebook, internet trolls, FBI informants, drones, writers, journalists and the psychological, political and moral carnage sown worldwide by the agent provocateur. He was a moral agent, 
Joseph Conrad
Your ImpactThrough a generous gift from one of our patrons, work on the film began last month, which resulted in the early research and team-building for the project. It is now time to get to work on producing the thing!
By successfully reaching our $35,000 goal we will finish the research and planning for the film, secure the first series of on-camera interviews, secure the archival elements for the film and edit an official trailer. No small feat! This kind of independent filmmaking is often made possible by friends, family, colleagues and others who believe in our work. It allows us the time to explore, discover and put the art first. You contributions will be at the heart of this first foundation phase. What's in it for You1. Membership in the Team: Your contribution will help produce this film ... literally!
2. The Film: Whether it’s a digital download or the DVD itself, supporters at certain donor levels will get access to a special edition director’s cut of the film, that includes bonus scenes and extended interviews. Every copy will be numbered and signed. 3. Swag! T-shirts, posters, coffee-sippin’ mugs, invisible ink pens, buttons and more — all a part of our planned fun project for donors. 4. Exclusive out-takes and previews as the production progresses. Every contributor at any level. 5. Your Name in Lights - On-screen credit for Author's Club donors and above. The Team
Paul Lewis - Producer/Director
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