The Swamp Premieres Tomorrow on HBO, HBO Max

The film will be available on HBO and to stream on HBO Max.

Following the politicians over the course of 2019, the filmmakers took a cinema verité approach to exploring the realities of Congressional work in a dysfunctional system. With unfettered access to Gaetz, one of President Trump’s closest allies in Congress; Massie, who is known in Washington as “Mr. No” due to his independent voting record; and Buck, a founding member of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus; the filmmakers trail the members as they navigate the potentially corrupting realities of their fundraising requirements, while providing honest insight into the intoxicating nature of the power they wield. Through candid interviews and revealing scenes beyond the usual news coverage, THE SWAMP highlights how the prevalence of lobbyists and special interest groups in Washington can influence policy based on financial contributions and how Congressmembers’ ability to get key committee assignments depends on how much money they are able to bring in, reflecting both their rank and their ability to affect legislation.

Rounded out by the perspectives of a diverse group of Congressmembers, their staff members, and political advocates, including Congressmen Ro Khanna (D-CA), John Sarbanes (D-MD), former Congresswoman Katie Hill (D-CA) and Harvard Law Professor Lawrence Lessig, THE SWAMP brings new insight into the daily lives of our elected officials and explores what it would really take to reform Congress.

THE SWAMP is produced by Industrial Media’s The Intellectual Property Corporation (IPC) and Calliope Pictures for HBO Documentary Films; written and directed by Daniel DiMauro and Morgan Pehme; co-writer and editor, Marc Vives; associate editor, Ben Cortes. IPC’s Eli Holzman and Aaron Saidman are the film’s executive producers. Morgan Pehme, Daniel DiMauro, Shirel Kozak, Fredrik Stanton, and Matthew Whitworth are its producers.