Documentary featuring UGA faculty paints Jimmy Carter as 'millennial president'

Though the upcoming documentary "Carterland" won't be the first to focus on the legacy of former President Jimmy Carter, it's the first one made by Georgians: Peachtree City natives Will and Jim Pattiz.

The Pattiz brothers' debut feature is scheduled to premiere at the 2021 Atlanta Film Festival on April 24 in partnership with the Carter Center, which will hold an outdoor screening of the film with its 96-year-old subject in attendance.

Aimed at re-framing the Carter presidency, which lasted from 1977 to 1981, "Carterland" reveals how Carter's leadership and moral integrity, which confronted issues like climate change and championed social justice, ultimately cost him the presidency.

"When we interviewed Jason Carter, he said that his grandfather was really the first millennial president," Jim told the Banner-Herald. "Jimmy Carter put solar panels on the White House in 1979. He was out front on so many things that we're addressing today." 

Though Will attended the University of Georgia and Jim went to Georgia Southern University, neither studied film or any technical aspect of production. Instead, they grew up in a household where movie quotes were part of the language, and were inspired and empowered by high school teacher Jeff Stewart to become filmmakers.

Since neither of the brothers reside in Georgia, they enlisted the aid of their parents, retired educators Jill and Anthony Pattiz, to aid in the research process for the documentary, which involved sifting through hundreds of hours worth of archival footage and more than 10,000 photographs at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library in Atlanta.

Though their initial proposals to the Carter Center were rejected, the Pattiz brothers persisted, and were finally able to interview the 39th president in 2019, and concluded production just before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally planned for a 2020 release, Will and Jim elected to use the extra time to make the best edit of "Carterland" possible, and reflect on the experience of making it.

 "We interviewed (former Atlanta mayor and United Nations ambassador) Andrew Young, who is an absolute legend," said Will. "At one point, Jim and I were alone in a room with (former Vice President under Carter) Walter Mondale. It was all just unbelievable."

University of Georgia professors interviewed in "Carterland" include Dr. Gary Bertsch, Dr. William D. Lastrapes, Dr. Amanda Murdie, Dr. Charles S. Bullock III and Dr. Richard Vining. UGA grad Jim Kingston served as field producer for the documentary, and organized many of the interviews that were filmed in Georgia by Will and Jim.

“'Carterland' is a much-needed corrective on the Carter presidency," said Dr. Bertsch. "Rather than a failed presidency, it was prescient and on target on human rights, climate, energy and so many other challenges. The Pattiz brothers’ new documentary provides a fascinating and valuable public service.”

Will and Jim have their sights on a digital release through one of the major streaming platforms by the end of 2021.

The world premiere of "Carterland" will take place at the Carter Center in partnership with the 2021 Atlanta Film Festival. For ticket information, visit https://atlantafilmfestival2021.eventive.org/films/604821323228410096681d25.