In the wake of the Porepunkah, SOVEREIGN has severe and savage reverberations, too soon to be seen by some, but certainly not in any way sympathising with wanton and wilful slaughter.
What many thought was a malaise of the U.S.A. before Porepunkah and earlier events in Wieambilla, the snake oil of so called sovereign citizen is unstintingly examined in this American film, sadly inspired by real events, written & directed by Christian Swegal.
Jerry Kane is an out-of-work roofer and struggling single father consumed by the “sovereign citizen” ideology, rejecting government authority and dragging his teenage son Joe into his worldview.
As evangelists of anarchy, they crisscross the country holding seminars for people desperate to escape debt, people convinced of conspiracy theories, certain that banks and governments are the enemy, a nemesis in need of conquering.
As much as banks have behaved shabbily and governments are vulnerable to venal enterprise, these institutions are too easily scapegoated for an individual’s failure with extremist views masquerading excuses for personal irresponsibility.
Jerry is a gambler, pissing away the proceeds of his proselytising in casinos then blaming others on his pecuniary predicament to the point of puerile confrontation with the police.
A gripping portrait of a father and son bound by extremist beliefs, SOVEREIGN delivers a powerful commentary on the dangers of radical beliefs and their destructive impact on individuals and families, highlighting the fine line between personal freedom and delusion.
Futility, frustration and fringe mentality powered by a blunt instrument performance by Nick Offerman, SOVEREIGN is hard viewing with an outcome of inevitable tragedy.
