DAMN!An Interview with Jimmy McMillan
by Wilson Morales
August 11,2011
Who said ’15 minutes of fame’ can’t be stretched out?
Coming out this week is ‘DAMN!,’ Aaron Fisher-Cohen’s exclusive behind-the-scenes portrait of New York gubernatorial candidate and overnight viral sensation Jimmy McMillan.
‘DAMN!’ is the the story of Rent is Too Damn High founder Jimmy McMillan, a Vietnam veteran, black belt Karate master, former stripper, and 70’s soul singer, who became an overnight sensation after his appearance on the 2010 New York gubernatorial debate went viral, receiving over 2 million views in 24 hours and lifting Jimmy from political obscurity into the international spotlight.
In what becomes an unforgettable journey, DAMN! is the only film to ever capture the rise of a viral sensation and the media fixation that follows as it all unfolds. It’s a sometimes funny and sometimes dark look into what happens when mass media, politics, and money all descend upon the life of one man.
Not only is the documentary coming out on August 12, but McMillan was recently in spotlight as he’s facing eviction because his rent — $872.96 for a ground-floor apartment in St. Marks’ place, reports the New York Daily Post — is too low?
Blackfilm.com recently spoke with McMillan as he spoke his rise to fame and how the film will hopefully get people to understand who he is and what he stands for.
The documentary highlights your recognition or fame through the use of the internet. What were your thoughts when you were being filmed?
Jimmy McMillan: I knew I was being filmed for the documentary but what I wasn’t prepared for was the social media response. I didn’t spend any money on the campaign. I had left my computer and cell in my office at the headquarters. When I was practicing what I was going to say at the debate, I gambled that it (the taping) would take root. I had no idea that it would do what it did. It caught me by surprise. I thought I would go in, tell the truth and kick their ass. The response was amazing. The young people, not the old voters, are the reason I am where I am today.
What’s amazing is that not one black college has invited me to speak at their institution. Not one black TV show has invited me to talk on their program. Any request I’ve gotten has been from white outlets. Something is wrong here, but they will still cater to Al Sharpton or Jesse Jackson. I am here and talking about how we are not able to live today, but something is wrong with my people.
I am a presidential candidate for the 2012 election, but not to run against Barack Obama, but to run against the system that even he, as president, doesn’t know how to operate today.
How have you used your exposure to stick around and be a force to be reckoned with?
JM: Well, the film ‘Damn!’ will show a side of me they have seen. I didn’t show them everything. I figured they had enough of my dinner, but they need time and room for my dessert. The dessert is the documentary. You will love it.
How are you handling this evicting new?
JM: I hid my family for two decades because I felt my undercover work could have got them killed. The landlord threatened to evict my son and my ex-wife because the courts revealed her identity in court documentaries and she’s been receiving numerous calls. I’m using this opportunity to set the story straight.
‘DAMN!’ will open at Cinema Village in NYC on August 12 and will be available on DVD and VOD on August 16.
