Stephen Gyllenhaal - Zioncheck for President

Jake Gyllenhaal with his father Stephen in New York, on 25th October 2009. Pictures courtesy of Iheartjakemedia.com



Stephen Gyllenhaal talks about his project "Zioncheck for President" (2009).

"Zioncheck for President—the book by former Stranger writer Phil Campbell chronicling his stint as campaign manager to former Stranger writer Grant Cogswell during his 2001 run for Seattle City Council—has been optioned for a film that will be directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal and shot in Seattle.
Veteran producer/director Stephen Gyllenhaal has bought the film rights to Phil Campbell's memoir, Zioncheck for President: A True Story of Idealism and Madness in American Politics.According to Gyllenhaal: "I think Zioncheck is a very honest and real portrayal of what happens when two citizens, who know very little about the political process, jump into that process. It's wonderfully funny, it's poignant, and it gives you the sense that anyone can accomplish something if you put your mind to it."
Digital video technology now makes it possible to shoot a film cheaply and without sacrificing on quality, he said.
"Zioncheck for President is about doing things by the skin of your teeth," Gyllenhaal said. "And I want to do things the same way."

He added: "I want to film in Seattle because that's in keeping with Zioncheck, too. Seattle is a beautiful city, and there's a lot going on there. The music and the progressive politics are important to this story". Source: slog.thestranger.com

Also, Stephen's daughter Maggie Gyllenhaal is the new host of Independent Lens aired by Public Broadcasting Service (PBS):

Indie film favorite Maggie Gyllenhaal, the new host of Independent Lens, kicks off the series premiere, Tuesday, October 13, 2009. Source: www.pbs.org The new season showcases 27 independent films—a unique collection of stories unlike anything else on television.

"Independent Lens is public television's equivalent of This American Life, a completely freeform program with no apparent rules for what passes. Lens airs a decidedly brilliant mix of drama, documentary, even comedy, and provides an imaginative array of unusual, unknown and immensely engaging stories.
—Paste Magazine