MisLEAD: America’s Secret Epidemic is a documentary feature film examining the crisis of childhood Lead poisoning in America today. The film includes interviews with many of the top experts on the subject, who outline the disturbing history behind the genesis of this entirely-preventable disease, and challenge the entrenched myths surrounding it’s spread — and ultimately reveal a picture that is squarely at odds with the official century-old industry-written (government policy-endorsed) U.S. narrative that has resulted in what many in the medical community refer to as a hidden epidemic — one that continues to visit devastation upon children, families – and the U.S. economy, irrespective of race, socio-economic background and geography. The film also explores the compelling stories of several families of Lead-poisoned children across the country, and how and why they are dealing with the effects of childhood Lead poisoning.
Important to note:
This project was begun years before the crisis in Flint. While Flint is covered in the film (and several parents in Flint were interviewed), the project focuses more on the long-term implications of childhood Lead exposure on our children and society and pervasive hazards including (but not at all limited to) the latest, high-profile stories of extreme Lead contamination found in the water, air & soil in and around Flint and other one-time industrial centers.
Highlights:
Highlights of the project include music donated by The Who, Maia Sharp, Glen Moore, and Tom Waits (among many other musicians who enthusiastically offered to support the project in this way), and footage from the Director’s interview with Noam Chomsky (focusing on the impact of decades of deregulated/industry-captured “free-market” capitalism on the health of our youngest citizens) and of Tamara’s February 2016 presentation in Flint, Michigan with then-presidential candidate, Bernie Sanders.
Project Timeline:
Filming began in 2011 and wrapped in 2016, and the project is in post-production, with a fine cut available for potential investors and partners to review. Work yet to be done includes: final narration, final graphics and animation, final music, final editing, picture finishing, sound finishing, and administrative work necessary to wrap up the production of the film. With adequate funding, these elements could be completed in as little as three months, and we are currently seeking final funding to complete the film.
Come on board:
If you are interested in participating in the completion of this project in some way (and making a difference in the lives of everyone who watches the film) please contact the film’s Director and Producer, Tamara Rubin at TamaraRubin@mac.com.