FLINT, MI — Director Paul Haggis is working on the documentary « Lead and Copper, » which will focus on the Flint water crisis, according to a recent report.
A Deadline.com report states Haggis, who won the Academy Award in 2006 for original screenplay of best picture winner « Crash, » is partnering with producer Michael Nozik and director William Hart.
Haggis was also nominated for best original screenplay Academy Awards in 2005 and 2007 for « Million Dollar Baby » and « Letters from Iwo Jima, » both of which were directed by Clint Eastwood.
Howard Bragman , a Flint native and long-time publicist, is also involved in the Flint water documentary being written by Steven Leckart, which is expected to reach the movie festival circuit toward the end of 2017.
He told MLive-Flint Journal Sunday, Feb. 5 the documentary is around 80 percent complete and in the editing phase.
When asked why he became involved in the production, Bragman said « I’m very proud of Flint. I’m grateful for where I’m at in my life and I certainly can’t separate where I’m at from where I started. »
Having worked with Haggis and Glen Zipper of Zipper Bros. Films in the past, Bragman said he was approached by them for some marketing and public relations expertise but they also « wanted somebody who’s from Flint. »
The idea for a documentary came about after Hart, Alex Olsen and Patrick Letterii were in Flint covering the water crisis for Yahoo News.
« They were incredibly moved and said this was a much bigger story than you can imagine, » said Bragman. The documentary will include current news footage but also offer people an insight into the history of the Vehicle City.
Bragman said it was important to him to show the history of the city, the industrial era when Flint was bustling, and the innovation of the school district’s community schools model.
« That’s important to me, number one, » he said of offering a full picture and story. « Number two is this ain’t over. We’ve got a Congress that’s trying to bury it and a state government that’s trying to bury it. The more we can call attention to it, hopefully the more we can resolve it. »
Bragman helped organize the February 2016 « Hollywood for Flint » benefit in California that raised more than $35,000 for the Flint Child Health and Development Fund of the Community Foundation of Greater Flint.
‘Hollywood For Flint’ benefit to aid in water crisis relief efforts
The planned documentary is not the first time Hollywood has stepped in to tell the story of Flint’s water crisis.
A Lifetime Channel movie was announced last month that’s expected to include a lead role for entertainer Cher.
Report: Cher set to star in Flint water crisis TV movie
The singer and actress — known for songs « If I Could Turn Back Time, » « Believe, » and roles in « Moonstruck » and « The Witches of Eastwick » — is set to « portray a Flint resident whose family is impacted by the water crisis, » according to a Hollywood Reporter story.
Cher previously called for Gov. Rick Snyder to be executed over the water crisis, helped organize delivery of thousands of bottles of water and visited Flint in October 2016 to rally support for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.
Cher rallies Clinton voters, drops by water distribution site in Flint
Flint switched back to Detroit for water service in October 2015 after children showed elevated blood lead levels in a September 2015 report by Flint pediatrician Mona Hanna-Attisha.
Thirteen people have been charged in connection to the water crisis, including local and state employees, as well as former emergency managers Darnell Earley and Jerry Ambrose.
No air date for the Lifetime movie has been provided.
