ABOUT THE FILM

For 5 days in 2008, a group of protesters calling themselves Re-create 68 took to the streets of Denver to dissent against the American government at the Democratic National Convention (DNC). Defying federal court orders, riot police and bad press, this motley assemblage of men and women ranging in age from 21 to 71, set out to ‘re-create the spirit of the sixties’ and exercise their version of democracy with their voices and bodies as their only political capital.

5 DAYS IN DENVER is an immersive journey through the modern protest experience in America.  From the first big police-defying march on Day 1 to the counter-protester clashes on Day 3 to the off-course final rallying cry on Day 5, this documentary embeds viewers in the struggles of today’s unconventional patriots.  As police lines are drawn and pepper spray is unleashed, the dissenters of Re-create 68 stand on the dramatic front lines of American politics and face guns, fences and ultimately, arrests.

Further, this documentary tracks Re-create 68′s pre-DNC endeavors as they sue the Secret Service, fight feces bombs in front of the Denver City Council and battle bad press at every turn.  And through those experiences, 5 DAYS IN DENVER deals with some of the tougher questions surrounding today’s democracy.  Are we still serving the First Amendment in post-9/11 America?  Does the media do a fair job reporting on dissent?  Is protesting still relevant in today’s modern society?

Ultimately, 5 DAYS IN DENVER is the complex, multi-layered story of Americans who choose to take their version of democracy beyond the ballot box and into the streets.  It’s the story of American dissent that you won’t find on the evening news or in the local paper.  Are the members of Re-create 68 heroes?  Villains?  Are they rational realists or starry-eyed sensationalists?  In true democratic fashion, this documentary will let you decide.

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR/PRODUCER

Since 2001, Todd Cassetty has applied his affinity for storytelling to the music industry, specifically through documentary-style, artist-driven television.  Through his production company Todd Cassetty Welding Service, Todd has honed an ability to “weld” stories together whether it’s a biographical piece, a music video or a live performance.

As both a director and producer, Todd has created programming for some of the biggest names in music such as seven Taylor Swift TV specials – including her 2010 NBC Thanksgiving Special – and two Taylor music videos.  Todd’s productions have aired on NBC, Fox, CMT, GAC, E! Entertainment and Comcast’s On Demand television service.

5 DAYS IN DENVER is Todd’s first feature-length film and first non-music documentary production.  As both the director and producer of the film, Todd spent three years shooting and completing this eye-opening, in-the-moment documentary about protesters at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.  The film is currently making the rounds in 2012 film festivals.