Pete Buttigieg was a small town Mayor from South Bend, Indiana who ran in a large Democratic pool for the 2020 Presidential election. Although the election race did not end in his favor, it did not stop him from successfully acquiring a position at the Capital that will further contribute to an already well established resume’. Recently appointed U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Buttigieg serves as the first openly LGBTQ+ Senate-confirmed Cabinet member in U.S. history. He is pet co-owner of adopted dogs, Buddy and Truman as well as co-parents with newly adopted twins Gus and Penelope with husband, Chasten Buttigieg. Their monumental story of hope, love, and determination have attracted attention from all walks of life including, Emmy Award Winning director, Jesse Moss. Moss was instantly inspired by their mission and was able to gain permission to document Pete and Chasten’s campaign for presidency. His latest documentary film, Mayor Pete will take viewers inside Pete Buttigieg’s headline-generating campaign in the attempt to serve as the youngest and first openly gay U.S. President.
Jesse Moss is an Emmy Award and Sundance Grand Jury Prize-winning director. His last film Boys State, co-directed with Amanda McBaine, premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. Former President Barack Obama included Boys State among his favorite movies of 2020. Moss’s earlier work The Overnighters was awarded the Special Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival, and released by Drafthouse Films and Netflix. His other work includes the Netflix series The Family, and the ‘Payday’ episode of the Netflix series Dirty Money. He has twice been nominated by the Directors Guild of America for Outstanding Directorial Achievement. I was fortunate enough to interview him for his newest film, Mayor Pete. Please check out my transcribed phone interview for a more in depth break down of why Moss chose to film this particular documentary.
Mayor Pete is a wonderful “behind the scenes’ ‘ documentary that keeps to a simple, honest, and straight to the point agenda which is very much reflective of the genuine aspirations that both Pete and Chasten are striving for. An informative yet intriguing glimpse into the lives of an honest and highly driven couple who care deeply for the future of America. The film gently pulls back the curtain to Pete and Chasten’s incredible journey that they honestly reveal to be an enormous feat to accomplish. Not too many political figures are welcome to the idea of letting anyone see what goes on behind closed doors. From the earliest days of the campaign, to Pete’s triumphant victory in Iowa and beyond, this film reveals what really goes on inside a campaign for the highest office in the land. Pete, Chasten, and their perfectly unique and deeply dedicated campaign team are willing to bare the good, bad, and ugly truth of it all. Jesse Moss brilliantly and respectfully captures this endeavor and I say, given the risk and circumstances, the film is definitely worth a watch.
Mayor Pete will be available worldwide on Amazon Prime Video November 12th.
