A small town's fight for press freedom takes center stage in "Seized," a captivating documentary that delves into a shocking newspaper raid. The film chronicles the events leading up to the August 2023 raid on the Marion County Record, a family-owned paper in central Kansas.
As police officers executed their search warrant, seizing computers, cell phones, and reporting materials from staff members, as well as from the home of co-owner Eric Meyer, one resident's mother Joan took matters into her own hands. The 98-year-old woman threw her walker to the ground and declared the raid "Nazi stuff," sparking a reaction that would go viral on national news.
While the raid may seem like a small-town affair, its repercussions were felt far beyond Marion's borders. As President Biden repeatedly labels the press as "the enemy of the people," this case serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of press freedom in America.
The documentary, directed by Sharon Liese, deftly bridges the gap between local characters and national headlines, shedding light on the complexities and nuances that often get lost in larger news stories. The film's sharp-eyed director skillfully weaves together personal histories, resentments, and politics to create a rich tapestry of small-town America.
One of the standout aspects of "Seized" is its cast of colorful characters, each with their own take on the raid and its aftermath. From Eric Meyer's stubborn determination to protect his newspaper to Finn Hartnett's wide-eyed wonder as he navigates old-school journalism, the film is full of engaging personalities that add depth and texture to the story.
While the documentary doesn't shy away from tackling the more contentious issues surrounding the raid – including allegations of identity theft and a judge's questionable decision-making – it does so in a way that avoids jarring or alienating viewers. Liese expertly balances competing perspectives, refusing to simplify the complexities of small-town politics for the sake of a tidy narrative.
Ultimately, "Seized" serves as a powerful defense of press freedom on the smallest scale possible. By focusing on the Marion County Record's struggles and triumphs, the film reminds us that local journalism matters, even in an era where media outlets are under siege from all sides. As Finn Hartnett so aptly puts it, "This is not a particularly corrupt town... I think that, to an extent, people just aren't used to having a local newspaper these days."
As police officers executed their search warrant, seizing computers, cell phones, and reporting materials from staff members, as well as from the home of co-owner Eric Meyer, one resident's mother Joan took matters into her own hands. The 98-year-old woman threw her walker to the ground and declared the raid "Nazi stuff," sparking a reaction that would go viral on national news.
While the raid may seem like a small-town affair, its repercussions were felt far beyond Marion's borders. As President Biden repeatedly labels the press as "the enemy of the people," this case serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of press freedom in America.
The documentary, directed by Sharon Liese, deftly bridges the gap between local characters and national headlines, shedding light on the complexities and nuances that often get lost in larger news stories. The film's sharp-eyed director skillfully weaves together personal histories, resentments, and politics to create a rich tapestry of small-town America.
One of the standout aspects of "Seized" is its cast of colorful characters, each with their own take on the raid and its aftermath. From Eric Meyer's stubborn determination to protect his newspaper to Finn Hartnett's wide-eyed wonder as he navigates old-school journalism, the film is full of engaging personalities that add depth and texture to the story.
While the documentary doesn't shy away from tackling the more contentious issues surrounding the raid – including allegations of identity theft and a judge's questionable decision-making – it does so in a way that avoids jarring or alienating viewers. Liese expertly balances competing perspectives, refusing to simplify the complexities of small-town politics for the sake of a tidy narrative.
Ultimately, "Seized" serves as a powerful defense of press freedom on the smallest scale possible. By focusing on the Marion County Record's struggles and triumphs, the film reminds us that local journalism matters, even in an era where media outlets are under siege from all sides. As Finn Hartnett so aptly puts it, "This is not a particularly corrupt town... I think that, to an extent, people just aren't used to having a local newspaper these days."
, just watched this documentary "Seized" about the raid on a small-town newspaper in Kansas and I'm literally shook 
. The way it highlights the importance of press freedom in America is so timely! 
The film's got an amazing cast of characters and the director Sharon Liese does an awesome job of weaving their stories together to create this rich tapestry of small-town life. 
It's a real eye-opener, especially with the whole "President Biden saying the press is the enemy" thing... 
Like, what even is that?! 
Anyway, if u haven't checked out "Seized" yet, def add it to ur watchlist ASAP! 
. I love how the documentary highlights the complexities of small-town politics and how it affects the people living there. It's not just about the raid itself, but also the impact it had on the community 
.
... who throws their walker to the ground when they're 98 years old?! 
That's some serious sass right there! But seriously, it shows how passionate and dedicated people are when it comes to protecting their local press.
. It's not just about big-city news anchors; our local papers are what keep us informed and connected to our communities 
.
This doco is like wow! 
is wild 
. I mean, President Biden saying the press is the enemy of the people 
is already sketchy 
but to see this small-town drama play out like a soap opera 
did an amazing job weaving all these different perspectives together like a rich tapestry 
, even when some of the stuff gets pretty ugly 
. It's a reminder that local journalism matters 
and we need more stories like this 
It's like the press freedom thing was getting too boring and everyone needed a good example of how not to treat journalists. I mean, who doesn't love a 98-year-old woman throwing her walker and going full-on grandma rage? 
. I mean, I get it, the raid was shady and all that jazz, but can we talk about how old school some of these journalists are? Like, Eric Meyer's just holding onto his paper for dear life like it's going out of style 
. And don't even get me started on the 98-year-old grandma who threw her walker in a fit 
. In an era where everyone's just consuming news through social media, it's nice to see some folks still putting in the work to tell stories about their communities 
. And I love that Finn Hartnett is all like "I'm gonna keep writing even if nobody reads my paper" - that's the kind of dedication we need more of 
.
anyway back to "Seized" i thought it was so cool how the 98 yr old woman Joan just stood up for what she believed in and gave those cops a piece of her mind 
meanwhile eric meyer and finn hartnett are like total opposites but u can see why they both care about the paper so deeply 
. I mean, I get it, the raid was a big deal for that small town in Kansas, but the ripple effect on the media landscape as a whole is something else entirely 
. The way she weaves together all these different perspectives and personalities is just masterful 
. And you're right, the film doesn't shy away from tackling the tough issues, but it does so in a way that's actually accessible to a wide range of viewers 
. We may not be perfect, but we've got a rich history of fighting for what's right and standing up for the little guy 
. And with documentaries like "Seized" helping to raise awareness about these issues, I think we can start to turn things around 
.
. I mean, can you believe what happened in Marion County? A 98-year-old woman basically stands up for press freedom like she's got nothing to lose 
. And the way the film handles all these complex issues is so on point 
The documentary is also super inspiring because it shows that even in small towns, people can come together to fight for what matters. Let's give it up for the Marion County Record and their brave owners who stood up for their right to tell the truth! 
even if it feels like it's all being pushed down everyone's throat at times. i mean, what happens when you start calling the press "the enemy of the people"? 
local papers might not be as flashy or popular as some online news sites, but they're still doing important work in their communities 
and what's up with finn hartnett being the only one who gets all the attention? seems like eric meyer was the real hero in this whole thing 
Can't wait to watch more! 
. what i found really interesting is how the raid affected the town's residents, like Joan who threw her walker lol. it was like she just lost control and wanted to stand up for what she believed in 
! The stats are wild: 75% of Americans say the press plays an important role in holding those in power accountable 
. And it's not just about small-town Marion County - the nationwide impact is real 
. Did you know that over 90% of local news outlets have seen a decline in revenue since 2008? 
The film's on-point, shedding light on the complexities of press freedom and its importance in America 
9/10 would watch again!