Raid documentary
to have Kansas premiere
“Seized,” Emmy-winning director Sharon Liese’s documentary about the now-disavowed police raid on the Marion County Record and two Marion homes, will have its Kansas premiere at this summer’s Free State film festival in Lawrence.
The main showing of the critically acclaimed 1½-hour movie will be at 2:30 p.m. June 28 at historic Liberty Hall, 644 Massachusetts St.
Tickets cost $12 or $130 for all films at the festival. They went on sale Monday at https://freestatefestival.org/.
“Seized” is available for viewing only at film festivals while a distribution agreement with a major cable and streaming service is negotiated.
Free State’s theme this year is “The Revolution is at the Movies,” connecting America’s 250th anniversary to “change-making movements in history and trailblazing artists working in freedom of thought.”
Since the film’s world premiere at the Sundance film festival earlier this year, critics have termed it “riveting,” “sharply observant,” and “surprisingly funny.”
They have praised the film’s balance between covering serious implications for press freedom while navigating complex, “bitchy” small-town politics.
Critics have labeled it a “must-watch” that sheds light on the importance of local journalism, treating the raid as a “chilling case study” in the misuse of power.
Liese is credited with presenting the story without oversimplification, allowing for the inclusion of local perspectives and gossip without losing sight of broader national significance.
The film includes interviews with multiple local residents.
While tackling a serious subject — including the death of newspaper co-owner Joan Meyer — the film is frequently described as “witty” and at times “whimsical,” featuring an “entertaining cast of characters” from the town.
It was highlighted as one of the “crowd-pleasing documentaries” at the Sundance festival.
The Record has no financial stake in and had no editorial control over the film, which has received a “100% fresh” rating from review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes.