Unreasonable Film Makers
An interview with the makers of An Unreasonable Man
By Matt Funiciello
Green Party of New York State

During the eighties, stand-up comedienne Henriette Mantel often cracked up her fellow stand-ups with stories of working for consumer advocate and presidential candidate Ralph Nader. One of those listeners was her friend Steve Skrovan (who wrote for Seinfeld and Everybody Loves Raymond). Fifteen years later, Mantel and Skrovan joined forces researching Nader for a sitcom idea, but instead they came up with a powerful documentary. 

Impressed by Nader's achievements as an advocate and intrigued that so many former allies were angry with him, Skrovan decided to focus the film on the conflict that surrounded Nader. An Unreas­onable Man is now not only receiving awards for best documentary, but puts a new light on third party politics and is mobilizing people to become politically involved. 

Green Pages: What are some of the more interesting reactions to the film?

Mantel: One of our friends is Bob Gold­thwaite. After he saw the film, Steve asked him what he thought. After a long pause he said, "I gotta go register to vote." At another festival, a woman told us that she had literally been "dragged to the film" by her sister-in-law. She wanted us to know that now, having seen it, she was very glad that she had been dragged.

Green Pages: Will those angry Democrats come to see this film?

Mantel: I don't know. I suspect that many of them will. I know that some already have. I know they should come and see it because it really does inspire everyone who does. Those with anger at Ralph should just open their minds up a little bit and buy a ticket. They should know that this is by no means a love letter to Ralph. It is really just a good story, that's all … a good story that needs to be told. 

Skrovan: I think these people will come out to see the film because it gives them a voice. Eric Alterman, Todd Gitlin, Gene Karpinski and many others who have been hostile to Ralph get to articulate their anger. That's why these people will want to see it. The film doesn't wrap everything up neatly but it does take a position in that it gives Ralph the last word. We let him and his supporters answer the questions and then we let the audience decide for themselves if they are satisfied with those answers. 

Green Pages: Would you say that making the film has changed your opinion of Ralph or third party politics or Americans in general?

Skrovan: I should explain that I really came at this as an innocent. I truly didn't have an agenda. Though I voted for Gore, I really couldn't understand all the anger directed at Ralph. I was very curious why so many Democrats were so mad at him. I was basically unaware of the amazing number of things that Ralph has accomplished. I mean, past seatbelts and air bags, you've got air quality, nuclear regulation, Freedom of Information Act, the PIRG's … It's truly astounding just how many groups, foundations and centers he is the "Johnny Appleseed" for. Having learned these things, I would say to Greens and others who supported Ralph or third-party politics, that you should never feel ashamed of your support of him in 2000. You should be very proud. I was basically a mainstream Democrat going into this and now I would say that I am a full-fledged supporter of third party and independent candidates. 

Mantel: When we were making the film, I always knew that faith in America, faith in who we really are as a people, would come out and I think that it did. When it comes to Ralph, I have met a number of famous men but very few great men. Ralph is a great man and my opinion has not changed. I voted for him in the 2000 election. He should always do whatever he feels is right. 

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