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U.S. Documentary Competition

Seized

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United States202694 minEnglish
Seized

When the small town of Marion, Kansas, is thrust into the international spotlight after a police raid on the Marion County Record and the death of its 98-year-old co-owner, a fierce debate ignites about the abuse of power, journalistic ethics, local journalism, and the United States Constitution.

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When the small town of Marion, Kansas, is thrust into the international spotlight after a police raid on the Marion County Record and the death of its 98-year-old co-owner, a fierce debate ignites about the abuse of power, journalistic ethics, local journalism, and the United States Constitution.

In politically turbulent times, existential tumult can coalesce into an overwhelming storm. Like lightning in a bottle, director Sharon Liese (Parker, 2023 Sundance Film Festival) captures the story of the Marion County Record raid, a perfectly illustrative microcosm of the moment. The specificity of this story, its lively and distinctive players, and its weighty ethical and democratic consequences make not only for a gripping watch, but an orienting, sobering, grounding experience amidst an onslaught of state overreach, press suppression, and threats to journalism as we know it. Diligent storytelling, kaleidoscopic perspectives, rich context, and generosity in allowing its audience to reach their own conclusions make Seized an excellent antidote to the threats it so potently captures. Liese returns to the Sundance Film Festival with this crucial contribution to journalistic discourse. — AC

Available in person. Also available online for the public (January 29–February 1) and credentialed press and industry (January 28–February 1). 

U.S. Documentary CompetitionAll FeaturesNonfictionClosed CaptionOpen CaptionU.S. Only- less

Credits

  • Director(s)

    Sharon Liese

  • Producer

    Sharon Liese

    Sasha Alpert

    Paul Matyasovsky

  • Editor

    Derek Boonstra

  • Director of Photography

    Jackson Montemayor

  • Associate Producer

    Alexandra Siambekos

  • Executive Producers

    George R. Hearst III

    Jonathan Logan

    Megan Gelstein

    Debbie L. McLeod

    Jonathan Murray

    Harvey Reese

    Ruth Ann Harnisch

    Ann Baum

    Steven Rosenthal

    Trudy Jacobson

    Jenny Raskin

  • Co-Executive Producers

    Jon Niccum

    Margaret Munzer Loeb

    Barbara Dobkin

    Eric Dobkin

    Marni E. J. Grossman

  • Field Producer

    Amber Sammet

  • Additional Cinematography

    Yamit Shimonovitz

  • DIT/Colorist

    Cory Cullen

  • Contact

    Sharon Liese

    sharon@herizonproductions.com

    8165916306

Meet the Artist

Sharon Liese

  • Twitter
  • Instagram

Sharon Liese is an Emmy Award–winning director who is passionate about telling stories that move people. Her work includes the HBO documentary feature Transhood and the acclaimed short films The Flagmakers, The Gnomist, and Parker, which premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival.

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