''Anytown, USA'' is a 2005

documentary film A documentary film (often described simply as a documentary) is a nonfiction Film, motion picture intended to "document reality, primarily for instruction, education or maintaining a Recorded history, historical record". The American author and ...

produced by director Kristian Fraga on the mayoral race in Bogota,

New Jersey New Jersey is a U.S. state, state located in both the Mid-Atlantic States, Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, Northeastern regions of the United States. Located at the geographic hub of the urban area, heavily urbanized Northeas ...

. The mayoral race was among Republican

Steve Lonegan Steven Mark Lonegan (born April 27, 1956) is an American businessman and politician who served as mayor of Bogota, New Jersey, from 1996 to 2007. He was also the Republican Party's nominee in the 2013 Special Senate election in New Jersey, whic ...

Democrat Democrat, Democrats, or Democratic may refer to: Politics *A proponent of democracy, or democratic government; a form of government involving rule by the people. *A member of a Democratic Party: **Democratic Party (Cyprus) (DCY) **Democratic Part ...

Fred Pesce and independent Dave Musikant. The film is described as a candid documentary on a small town that "serves as a perfect backdrop which provides a compromising look at our nation's political climate and proves that all politics is truly local". It was screened at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Film Festival on April 9, 2005, where it won the award for Best Documentary.

Synopsis

In August 2003, cuts to funding by the Bogota Borough Council threaten the Bogota High School football team, enraging many residents. With a mayoral election ahead, the stage is set for a close election between the incumbent, Republican Steve Lonegan, and former Borough Council Democrat Fred Pesce. Then, in late September, former high school athlete Dave Musikant announces he will run for mayor as a write-in candidate. The three-way race garners national attention, particularly because both Lonegan and Musikant are

legally blind Visual or vision impairment (VI or VIP) is the partial or total inability of visual perception. In the absence of treatment such as corrective eyewear, assistive devices, and medical treatment, visual impairment may cause the individual difficul ...

. As election day draws near, Musikant scores a coup by hiring Doug Friedline,

Jesse Ventura Jesse Ventura (born James George Janos; July 15, 1951) is an American politician, political commentator, actor, media personality, and retired professional wrestler. After achieving fame in the WWE, World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE), he ...

's former campaign manager. In the week before election day, a rumor develops that Pesce is ill and will drop out of the race. However, Pesce continues to the end. As election day dawns, poor weather worries Lonegan, who fears low turnout may cause him to lose. However, Lonegan wins with 1,097 votes, while Pesce has 728, and Musikant has 200. The Republicans also win the City Council. That January, Lonegan is inaugurated as Mayor for his third term. The football team goes on to the state championship, but loses in that game. Pesce also announces his retirement from politics. In September 2004, Musikant succumbs to his eight-year battle with brain cancer. Lonegan goes on to run for the Republican nomination for governor that year, after

Jim McGreevey James Edward McGreevey (born August 6, 1957) is an American politician of the Democratic Party who served as the 52nd governor of New Jersey from 2002 until his resignation in 2004 amidst a sex scandal. McGreevey served in the New Jersey Genera ...

's resignation, but loses the primary.

Results

References

External links

Official Site
* {{IMDb title, id=0457278, title=Anytown, USA 2005 films Bogota, New Jersey American documentary films 2005 documentary films Documentary films about elections in the United States Documentary films about New Jersey Films shot in New Jersey Films set in New Jersey 2000s English-language films 2000s American films Films scored by Robert Miller English-language documentary films