George Orwell once described journalism as “something somebody, somewhere, doesn’t want published.” If that is true, then this controversial filmmaker can proudly proclaim that he is committing some extreme acts of journalism.
L.A. movie-maker Phelim McAleer, creator of groundbreaking investigative films such as Gosnell, FrackNation and Ferguson--The Play, is making a series of films focused on the sworn testimonies of Hillary Clinton’s senior staff members regarding Clinton's use of a private email server while she was secretary of state under the Obama administration.
Each film reenacts the deposition of one senior staff member, and the project will include five films total. The final piece will focus on Huma Abedin’s deposition.
The scripts for the films have been taken verbatim from the transcripts of the depositions conducted by Judicial Watch. No drama, romantic subplots, or any words, for that matter, have been added to the original transcripts. The actors are saying the exact same lines that were said during the criminal investigation proceedings.
The project's first three films have already been completed. The first installment focuses on the testimony of Cheryl Mills (Clinton's former chief of staff), while the second shows that of Stephen Mull (Clinton's former executive secretary). The third film shows the deposition of Brian Pagliano, Clinton’s ‘IT expert’ during her time at the State Department.
The films can be viewed in their entirety here.
Although the original dispositions are filmed live and will eventually be opened to the public, the videos will only be released after the conclusion of the 2016 United States presidential race. While recorded depositions are typically released to the public as soon as possible, Judge Emmet G. Sullivan, a federal justice appointed by former President Bill Clinton, ruled back in May that video and audio recordings of depositions related to the Clinton email scandal must be sealed due to their potential impact on the current presidential race.
However, Sullivan did say transcripts of the interviews may be released.
McAleer, who saw this as blatant censorship and a possible cause of bias during this pivotal presidential race, decided to tackle the issue head-on by re-creating the actual dispositions on film using professional actors and equipment.
The films are incredibly shocking. Over the course of his deposition, Mull uttered some form of the phrase “I don’t remember” a whopping 125 times. Cheryl Mills appeared to suffer an even worse case of amnesia, saying that phrase a total of 189 times while she was under the spotlight.
Bryan Pagliano pleaded the Fifth a shocking 125 times.
McAleer's next film will focus on the testimony of Clinton's long-time aide, Huma Abedin.
Check out the re-reenactment for yourself on McAleer’s website.