As I mentioned last month, Zioncheck for President—the book by former Stranger writer Phil Campbell chronicling his stint as campaign manager to former Stranger writer Grant Cogswell during his 2001 run for Seattle City Council—has been optioned for a film that will be directed by Stephen Gyllenhaal and shot in Seattle.

Full press release after the jump. As for casting: Obviously Phil should be played by Brecken Meyer, but Grant’s a tougher call, as he’s essentially the old-bastard love child of this guy and this guy. But I’m sure there’s someone. Congrats, Phil!

March 11, 2007

Re: Zioncheck for President Movie Deal

Veteran producer/director Stephen Gyllenhaal has bought the film rights to Phil Campbell's memoir, Zioncheck for President: A True Story of Idealism and Madness in American Politics.
Gyllenhaal wants to turn Zioncheck for President into a DIY-style, no-budget, Sundance-worthy film. He wants to shoot the movie in Seattle.
Zioncheck for President is the eccentric political campaign of grassroots activist and Seattle city council candidate Grant Cogswell; Campbell managed Cogswell's campaign in 2001. It's a story of local activism, anti-globalist protest, and domestic turmoil.
According to Gyllenhaal: "I think Zioncheck is a very honest and real portrayal of what happens when two citizens, who know very little about the political process, jump into that process. It's wonderfully funny, it's poignant, and it gives you the sense that anyone can accomplish something if you put your mind to it."
Gyllenhaal has directed such movies as Homegrown and Losing Isaiah.
Campbell met Gyllenhaal through his publisher, Nation Books. Campbell said he agreed to sell his movie option to Gyllenhaal because Gyllenhaal seemed to have a genuine understanding of the spirit of the book. "I never thought a Hollywood director would take a personal interest in it the way Gyllenhaal has," he said. "Zioncheck for President is about the kind of idealism that doesn't follow the formulaic Rocky script."
In keeping with the grassroots spirit of Zioncheck for President, Gyllenhaal said he wants to make the film with very little money. Digital video technology now makes it possible to shoot a film cheaply and without sacrificing on quality, he said.
"Zioncheck for President is about doing things by the skin of your teeth," Gyllenhaal said. "And I want to do things the same way."
He added: "I want to film in Seattle because that's in keeping with Zioncheck, too. Seattle is a beautiful city, and there's a lot going on there. The music and the progressive politics are important to this story.
"And I do not want to come to Seattle and try to overwhelm the city with a film production — I'll let the city overwhelm the film production. It's a more creative way to work. It's a partnership."
Campbell added, "I put no stipulations on my contract as to how Gyllenhaal will make this film, what will stay in the script and what will be left out. He's not even obliged to make my character look good.
"So I'm excited about the film, but if Gyllenhaal uses some of the more embarrassing scenes of me in the book, I do reserve the right to temporarily exit the theater during the premiere. I'll probably take a lot of bathroom breaks, or strike up nervous conversations with the popcorn vendors."
Cogswell, now an independent filmmaker, was also excited about the project, and also joked about how the movie might portray him. "I look forward to it," said Cogswell, "despite however big an ass the film might make me seem."
The film adaptation of Zioncheck for President is still in the early stages. Gyllenhaal has just hired a screenwriter; filming will not begin for at least a year.