OKLAHOMA IS NOT “OK”

“A teacher’s journey to discover the core of the public education crisis in the U.S.”

Class Wars is a darkly provocative documentary series exploring the far-reaching impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the American public education system and psyche. Through hypnotic visuals and synth-driven score, the film exposes how the school privatization movement exploited distance learning, stoked anti-intellectual “culture wars”, and pandemic-era policies to further erode trust in public schools and criminalize critical thinking.

Writer/Director/Producer

Joseph Erikson

Joseph, a passionate and extroverted history teacher watches the US education system methodically dismantled while attempting to teach a class of isolated and increasingly despondent students. He asks, “How did this happen so quickly? It’s almost as if it were planned.” When no answers came from inside the system he quit his job, bought a camera and set out to find them elsewhere.

His journey takes him across the US and eventually to Germany, where he not only learns the answers to his questions, but how to fight back.

Armed with knowledge and a fortified sense of justice, he comes back to the United States to hunt and expose the head of the snake. Spoiler Alert: He finds it. He films it. It’s time to expose it.

BRINGING WORLDS TOGETHER THROUGH EDUCATION

Dr. Cornell West

American philosopher, theologian, political activist, politician, social critic, and public intellectual.

Dr. Susan Neiman

American moral philosopher and culture commentator at the juncture between philosophical enlightenment, metaphysics, and politics.

Mic Crenshaw

Portland-based recording artist, political activist, American educator, and social equity and racial justice champion.

Bryan Chu

Portland teacher fighting for a return to Core Studies, the principles of Free Speech, for minority groups’ right to lead classrooms.

PRODUCTION TIMELINE

Path to Launch

Class Wars is a documentary following a public school teacher who confronts the convergence of christo-fascism and technology through compelling testimony, archival, and narrative.

We are currently seeking financing, international distribution, sales, and licensing partnerships.

MILESTONES COMPLETED

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PROJECT KICKOFF

WINTER 2022 – Portland, Oregon

TEAM/TRAVEL SCHEDULE

Winter 2023 – Spring 2024

On-location Filming

summer 2023 – Los Angelas, Portland, Seattle, Oklahoma

1:1 Interviews

2024 – Germany, Chicago, New York, LA

THE ROAD AHEAD

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PDX FUNDRAISING EVENT

October 2024

FINAL on-LOCATION WORK

Q4 2024 – Portland, Oklahoma, Seattle, LA

TEST AUDIENCE

Spring 2025 – Cinema 21, Portland, Oregon

FILM FESTIVAL SUBMISSIONS

2024-2025 – TORONTO, GERMANY, FRANCE, TOKYO, LA, DC, NAPLES, AUSTIN, SUNDANCE, VENICE, CANNES

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