Iowa City opening of ‘Caucus’ moved up to Saturday

If you missed it or didn't get enough of the 2012 Iowa precinct caucuses, you can catch the movie Saturday afternoon in Iowa City.

“Caucus,” the behind-the-scenes story of the 2012 first-in-the-nation campaign in Iowa as eight Republicans fight to become their party's standard-bearer and take on Barack Obama, will screen at 1 p.m. Oct. 26 at FilmScene, 118 E. College St. on the Ped Mall.

Documentarian A.J. Schnack, who “fell in love” with the caucuses while covering the 1988 contests for the University of Missouri student newspaper, will be on hand to introduce the film and for a question-and-answer session after the screening.

A second screening will be offered at 7 p.m. Oct. 29.

Whether or not they followed and participated in the caucuses, Iowans will enjoy the film, Schnack predicted.

“It's certainly a different view than what people saw on their TVs,” Schnack said. “The ability you have when making long-form documentary is that you can stay with moments longer and give them a different kind of context.”

So Schnack doesn't think the documentary's appeal is limited to history buffs and political junkies.

In describing the documentary, Schnack calls it a “never-before-seen look at an unforgettable political season.” The movie follows former Pennsylvania senator, Rick Santorum, and Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann closely as the travel around Iowa in search of support.

“It is an exciting part of the political process. It might be my favorite part of the political process,” said Schnack, who has made four other non-fiction films. “It would be great to figure out a way to do it again, but I'm always hesitant because we had such an amazing cast of characters that I don't know if we'll ever have it that good again.”

“Caucus” will open Friday night at The Fleur in Des Moines and be shown in several Fridley Theatres around the state Oct. 28.