RECLAIM IDAHO
Synopsis
With the lives of 62,000+ uninsured Idahoans at stake, a tiny grassroots team led by a married couple with a newborn and almost no political experience hit the road in a busted 1977 RV to campaign for Medicaid expansion. Somehow, it looks like they might even win.
Credits
Emily Strizich – “Key Cast”
Garrett Strizich – “Key Cast”
Luke Mayville – “Key Cast”
Timothy Faust – “Key Cast”
Dan Schmidt – “Key Cast”
Director Statement
In October 2018, our friend healthcare advocate Tim Faust excitedly called to tell us about Reclaim Idaho. A tiny group made up of political outsiders driving from town to town in a 1977 dodge RV, Reclaim Idaho, were somehow succeeding in passing Medicaid Expansion in a place where literally every political expert said it couldn’t be done. This campaign, said Tim, was the most important of the 2018 election cycle.
As excited as I was, I had my doubts. Prop 2 was up in the polls, but surely they’re not as far ahead as they say, right? If you believe what the media and political establishment say about red states, there was no way this could pass. Surely we’d get to Idaho and find our subjects getting doors slammed in their faces by angry right-wingers.
But that never happened.
Medicaid was popular. People of all political affiliations came out to support healthcare. Looking back, I can’t imagine why I ever thought Reclaim Idaho could lose.
The story of Reclaim Idaho is the story of American politics today. The Experts say we are irreparably divided, full of hate. The Experts say we’ll never agree. The Experts say that life-saving, even planet-saving policies are pipe dreams. Silly. Naive. Kids stuff.
The Experts are wrong.
It doesn’t take an expert to fix Democracy. It takes regular people.
Director Biography
Laura Wing-Kamoosi (Director, Writer, Producer) is an Emmy-nominated director and writer. She started her career at ABC News, where she wrote and produced advertising for “Good Morning America,” Nightline,” and “20/20”. Laura has written, produced, and directed advertising, editorial, and branded content for numerous clients, including GE, Adobe, CoverGirl, Sephora, Cartier, HGTV, Diageo, The Spruce, and Fresh Direct. Born and raised in Detroit, Laura lives in Brooklyn, NY, with creative partner/husband Jim, their daughter Maisie, and dog Toki. Reclaim Idaho is her first feature.
Jim Kamoosi (Director, Director of Photography, Producer) has been working in film, television, and digital media for over 20 years. With a background in communications and design, he began his career with ABC News. He has since worked as a studio head, director, cinematographer, editor, and post-production supervisor, creating branded and editorial content. Clients include Disney, Lifetime, HGTV, GE, Adobe, Cartier, L’Oréal, Procter and Gamble, Diageo, Mondelēz, Sephora, Hershey’s, Fresh Direct, JetBlue, Kiehl’s, and more. He lives and works in Brooklyn, NY, with his creative partner and wife Laura, their eight-year-old daughter Maisie, and chihuahua Toki. Reclaim Idaho is his first feature.
