It shares a title and subject with Jane Mayer’s acclaimed 2016 book, but Kimbery Reed’s in-depth documentary is its own thing—a wonky examination of how unknown corporations, shadowy activists, and (possibly) foreign interests are dumping vast amounts of untraceable money into right-wing political campaigns and causes, irrevocably and deceitfully changing the course of American democracy. Reed’s Dark Money focuses on the campaigns that have sought to exploit resource-rich Montana, and draws on the dogged work of Montana Free Press reporter John S. Adams, but make no mistake: When it comes to dark money, Montana is a microcosm of the rest of the country, and from Citizens United to the Koch brothers to local elections, this shit matters across the board. “Campaign finance is like the gateway issue to every other issue that you might care about,” says Ann Ravel, the former chair of the defanged Federal Election Commission. “Whether it be education or tax reform or foreign policy, campaign finance is at the heart of all the policy decisions that are being made.” Director in attendance.
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