Kim A. Snyder Talks Sundance Doc ‘The Librarians’ and Bringing on Sarah Jessica Parker as a Producer

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The level of political division in the United States has escalated to such an extent that even librarians are facing hostility nationwide. To counteract the widespread censorship attempts led by politicians and groups like Moms for Liberty, a conservative parental rights initiative, a team of librarians established the FReadom Fighters in 2021. This group comprises members from various states and works to safeguard and uphold students’ First Amendment right to access literature. In this mission, they have bravely stood against book bans in Texas, Florida, and other regions, putting their lives on the line.

The FReadom Fighters are featured in Kim A. Snyder’s ITVS documentary, titled “The Librarians,” which will be shown on January 24 at the Sundance Film Festival.

A 88-minute movie titled “The Unyielding Freedom Fighters,” produced by Sarah Jessica Parker‘s company Pretty Matches Prods. in an executive role, narrates the journey of the resilient FReadom Fighters who grapple with growing conflicts and heightened book censorship. This group was initiated by Texas school librarians as a response to Representative Matt Krause’s initiative to take out 850 books from the state’s libraries, resulting in prohibitions of titles like “Catcher in the Rye” and “The Handmaid’s Tale.

According to Snyder, I’ve designed the initial scenes of the film using nostalgic historical images to create an image of traditional Americana that has long been associated with librarians – much like firefighters, they are community servants who are respected and valued, not someone you would think of as a target for attack or criminalization.

Beginning in 2021, there’s been a wave of book bans spreading throughout the country. The primary focus of these bans is literature that deals with racial and LGBTQ+ matters, resulting in the prohibition of well-known novels such as “Beloved” and “To Kill a Mockingbird.

According to Snyder, one point I’d like to clarify is that this situation transcends the common perception when people think of attacks on librarians and books. This isn’t merely a problem confined to Texas or focused solely on challenging LGBTQia+ literature. Instead, it encompasses a much wider scope than that.

I had a conversation with EbMaster before the world premiere of “The Librarians” at Sundance, and it was with Snyder, who is known for his work on “Newtown” and “Death By Numbers”.

Have you ever thought that one day, you’d be creating a chilling documentary about librarians who’ve been deeply affected due to their relentless work of maintaining order in libraries? It’s quite remarkable, isn’t it?

Snyder finds it astonishing that such diverse individuals as librarians express deep-seated fears about being arrested or even killed. This fear is not something one would typically associate with librarians, given their peaceful nature. However, considering activists who stand up for gun rights might face similar threats, this concern is particularly alarming in the context of librarians.

As a supporter of high-quality public broadcasting, I can’t help but ponder about the potential impact if Donald Trump’s administration follows through with their threat to defund PBS. This raises concerns for me about the fate of documentaries like this one on ITVS, which I hold in high regard.

In light of the numerous films we produce tackling heavy topics, it’s crucial that we continue to express our views at this juncture. This documentary isn’t solely about the courageous librarians; it also highlights ordinary Americans who stand alongside them. They are everyday citizens who declare, “I will maintain my position of influence until I can no longer.” Similarly, I share this sentiment in my films as well.

“In this documentary, I noticed some members from Moms for Liberty were showcased, yet they weren’t heard directly through an interview. I wonder if an invitation was extended to them to share their perspectives within the film?”

We did ask for interviews and were denied.

To what extent did Sarah Jessica Parker and her production company, Pretty Little Matches, contribute to the creation of this movie?

They’ve been here for more than a year, making it not a fresh addition. Regarding bringing on a celebrity producer, I prefer to do so only when there’s genuine authenticity involved. We were aware that (Sarah) has long championed libraries and librarians, so the collaboration felt quite natural given her passion for the cause. I’m thrilled she will join us at Sundance.

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2025-01-23 22:48