Watch Granny D Goes to Washington

Granny D Goes to Washington is a 2006 documentary film that chronicles the 94-year-old Doris Haddock, also known as Granny D, as she embarks on a 3,200-mile walk from California to Washington, D.C. in order to bring attention to the issue of campaign finance reform. The film mainly follows Granny D and her grandson, filmmaker Jim Hightower, as they walk across the United States, meeting with various communities and spreading the message of political reform.

Granny D's journey began back in 1999 when she walked across America to raise awareness about the dangers of unregulated campaign financing. She walked 3,200 miles and weathered harsh conditions in order to spread her message. Granny D inspired many people along the way with her bravery, passion and determination to make a positive difference in America.

In Granny D Goes to Washington, we see interviews with Granny D as she describes her motivation for walking across the country yet again. She talks about how she was frustrated with the way money had taken a dominant place in politics, and how difficult it had become for genuine political reformers to be heard. "I'm not naive," she says, "I know it's hard to change the system, but someone's gotta try."

The film also features interviews with various politicians and activists, including Republican Senator John McCain, who co-sponsored the sweeping campaign finance reform bill that was passed by Congress in 2002. McCain is shown speaking at various events about the importance of campaign finance reform and how he worked with Democrats to get the bill passed.

Granny D Goes to Washington also covers some of the key events that took place along Granny D's walk, such as rallies, speeches, and community events. We see a diverse array of Americans express their support for Granny D and her cause.

One scene shows Granny D walking in the rain with Hightower and others, as they come across a group of students from a local college who had been told off by the police for protesting. Granny D and her team join the students in a demonstration, and Granny D leads a chant of "Power to the People" as the rain falls down on them all. This scene captures Granny D's unwavering spirit and her commitment to fighting for what she believes in.

Throughout the film, Granny D's dedication and resilience are on full display. She walks for months on end, sometimes in freezing cold or scorching heat. At one point, she even breaks her ankle during the walk, but refuses to give up. Despite her age and physical limitations, Granny D is an inspiration to all who come across her journey.

The documentary is directed by Marlo Poras, and she manages to capture the essence of Granny D's journey and the people she meets along the way. Poras uses a mix of film styles, including interviews, footage of Granny D's journey, and archival footage from previous campaigns. Granny D Goes to Washington is a well-crafted contribution to American social documentary cinema.

Overall, Granny D Goes to Washington is a powerful and inspiring film that captures the journey of a remarkable person in American history. Granny D's belief in the power of people to create positive change is a testament to the possibilities of our democracy. If you're looking for a film that will inspire you to do something good for your community and country, look no further than Granny D Goes to Washington.