As 2021 dawns, we are filled with hope and trepidation for our country. As a dangerous administration ends, a COVID-19 vaccine is rolled out, and ongoing efforts at racial justice gain traction, we can see real hope that brighter days are in our future. But the lies and hate mongering that led to the recent insurrection at our nation’s capital will have long-lasting effects that are difficult to contemplate. Working on THE CO-OP WARS, we are familiar with the phenomenon of groups becoming so wrapped up in their own ideology and tribalism that they abandon democracy and turn to violence to force their ideas on others. We hope that, like happened on a micro level after the Co-op Wars, this becomes a wake-up call to recognize and resist extremism, no matter its source.
As for our film, we are filled with gratitude for all of the people who helped us make it a reality and excitement that we will be able to share it with the world in 2021.
What we’ve been up to
Much of our recent attention has gone into clearing the rights to the songs, photographs and film and video clips used in the film. This is a painstaking process and more expensive than we anticipated, involving some pretty one-sided negotiations with large corporations. Fortunately, we have benefitted enormously from free access to materials from the Kris Olsen Minnesota Food Cooperatives collection at the Minnesota Historical Society. Kris, an early worker at Seward Co-op and a tireless co-op advocate, collected an amazing array of documents and photos about the early years of Minnesota’s food cooperatives. Our film would have been impossible without these primary sources.
Willie Murphy, 1943-2019
Also vital to the film is the music of the late, great Minnesota music legend Willie Murphy. Willie’s music is intimately tied to our story - he even headlined the Anti-Terrorism Benefit Boogie held 44 years ago this month in the wake of the CO’s attack on Bryant-Central Co-op. Before he passed away in 2019, Willie graciously agreed to let use his music in the film, but the rights to much of that music are actually held by a variety of music labels and songwriters. However, we're committed to making the deals that will allow the film to have the authentic sound of the Twin Cities co-op scene of the 1970s.
How you will be able to see the film
Our other focus is getting THE CO-OP WARS out into the world in 2021. We will be distributing the film in four ways: film festivals, public television, online screenings and streaming:
As you might have guessed, film festivals have taken a big hit during the pandemic, with many being cancelled and most of the others going online. Because of this, festivals have become a much smaller part of our plan, but we have been submitting to them and will let you know if and when we are accepted.
We are currently in negotiations with a public television station about a fall broadcast and hope to have specifics to share about that soon. We hope to be broadcast on multiple stations, with our focus being on the Upper Midwest and other regions with a strong co-op presence.
We aim to partner with co-ops and other grassroots groups to do online screenings via Show&Tell, an innovative new platform developed by a team of documentarians. If you know of an organization that you think might be interested in co-sponsoring a screening, please let us know.
The film will also be available via online streaming, with details pending.
Help us push THE CO-OP WARS out the door
We are so grateful for the over 100 donors who contributed to the film in the past. You made it possible to get this far. We still need about $5000 more to cover the costs of the rights we mentioned above as well as distribution costs. Any help you can provide would be enormously appreciated. Please spread the word to potential supporters and consider making a donation here.
We hope for all of you a healthy, peaceful and progress-filled year. We’ll be in touch.