Steven Greenstreet
Encyclopedia
Steven Greenstreet is an American documentary
filmmaker, known for the controversial film, 8: The Mormon Proposition
, which was selected to premiere at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival
. Currently residing in Silver Spring, Maryland
,
he has also worked as a video investigative journalist for the Huffington Post Investigative Fund
and a video producer for the US State Department
.
(2005), captures the agitated climate surrounding Michael Moore
's invitation to speak at Utah Valley State College
shortly before the 2004 presidential elections. The largely conservative community of Orem erupted with controversy, which Greenstreet approaches from all sides of the debate.
The student council’s decision to book Moore was met with protests, petitions, threats, lawsuits, a $25,000 bribe, and even a special appearance by Sean Hannity
, who gives a talk on campus only a few days before Moore’s arrival.
Juxtaposing candidly personal interviews with shots of unruly demonstrations, the film becomes a microcosm of the national political divisions and the debates surrounding free speech.
Greenstreet illustrates the escalating obesity epidemic in America with his documentary Killer At Large (2008). The film investigates disturbing trends in how not only food addiction, but stress and fear, under-regulation and misinformation all contribute to the nation’s swelling weight problems.
Examining the often unhealthy state of school lunches and negative influence of kid-oriented advertising, the documentary reveals connections between the government and the food industry, exposing how children are the real victims of this obesity crisis.
Highlighting the example of twelve-year-old Brook Bates, whose 2006 liposuction
surgery made national headlines, the film contemplates how the indoctrination of children to perpetuate unhealthy habits will supersede laying the blame on personal accountability.
The premiere of 8: The Mormon Proposition
(2010) at Sundance
was met with a lengthy standing ovation despite the intense controversy surrounding it.
The film was inspired by ballot measures like California’s "Prop 8," designed to legally prohibit same-sex marriage
. Addressing the estimated $22 million Mormons
had raised along with internal church documents, the film unravels an extensive campaign carried out by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) with intent to influence California’s voters.
Contrasting hard statistics with emotionally charged testimonials from gays and families, 8: The Mormon Proposition reveals the detrimental effect of the LDS church’s persistent stance on homosexuality.
The church has declined all of the filmmakers’ requests for interviews; LDS spokesman Michael Purdy has commented on the matter, “We have not seen ‘8: The Mormon Proposition.’ However, judging from the trailer and background material online, it appears that accuracy and truth are rare commodities in this film. Clearly, anyone looking for balance and thoughtful discussion of a serious topic will need to look elsewhere.”
Documentary
A documentary is a creative work of non-fiction, including:* Documentary film, including television* Radio documentary* Documentary photographyRelated terms include:...
filmmaker, known for the controversial film, 8: The Mormon Proposition
8: The Mormon Proposition
8: The Mormon Proposition is an American documentary written by Reed Cowan, directed by Cowan and Steven Greenstreet, and narrated by Dustin Lance Black. The film documents The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' involvement in the 2008 California Proposition 8...
, which was selected to premiere at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
. Currently residing in Silver Spring, Maryland
Silver Spring, Maryland
Silver Spring is an unincorporated area and census-designated place in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. It had a population of 71,452 at the 2010 census, making it the fourth most populous place in Maryland, after Baltimore, Columbia, and Germantown.The urbanized, oldest, and...
,
he has also worked as a video investigative journalist for the Huffington Post Investigative Fund
The Huffington Post
The Huffington Post is an American news website and content-aggregating blog founded by Arianna Huffington, Kenneth Lerer, and Jonah Peretti, featuring liberal minded columnists and various news sources. The site offers coverage of politics, theology, media, business, entertainment, living, style,...
and a video producer for the US State Department
United States Department of State
The United States Department of State , is the United States federal executive department responsible for international relations of the United States, equivalent to the foreign ministries of other countries...
.
Career
Greenstreet's feature debut, This Divided StateThis Divided State
This Divided State is a documentary by first-time filmmaker Steven Greenstreet that details the conflict that erupted at Utah Valley State College , when controversial figure Michael Moore was scheduled to come speak on campus, shortly before the 2004 presidential election.- Synopsis :In September...
(2005), captures the agitated climate surrounding Michael Moore
Michael Moore
Michael Francis Moore is an American filmmaker, author, social critic and activist. He is the director and producer of Fahrenheit 9/11, which is the highest-grossing documentary of all time. His films Bowling for Columbine and Sicko also place in the top ten highest-grossing documentaries...
's invitation to speak at Utah Valley State College
Utah Valley State College
Utah Valley University or UVU, is a publicly funded university in located in Orem, Utah. With a current enrollment of 32,670 students as of 2011, Utah Valley University is now the largest public university in the State of Utah. UVU is a teaching institution which provides opportunity, promotes...
shortly before the 2004 presidential elections. The largely conservative community of Orem erupted with controversy, which Greenstreet approaches from all sides of the debate.
The student council’s decision to book Moore was met with protests, petitions, threats, lawsuits, a $25,000 bribe, and even a special appearance by Sean Hannity
Sean Hannity
Sean Hannity is an American radio and television host, author, and conservative political commentator. He is the host of The Sean Hannity Show, a nationally syndicated talk radio show that airs throughout the United States on Premiere Radio Networks. Hannity also hosts a cable news show, Hannity,...
, who gives a talk on campus only a few days before Moore’s arrival.
Juxtaposing candidly personal interviews with shots of unruly demonstrations, the film becomes a microcosm of the national political divisions and the debates surrounding free speech.
Greenstreet illustrates the escalating obesity epidemic in America with his documentary Killer At Large (2008). The film investigates disturbing trends in how not only food addiction, but stress and fear, under-regulation and misinformation all contribute to the nation’s swelling weight problems.
Examining the often unhealthy state of school lunches and negative influence of kid-oriented advertising, the documentary reveals connections between the government and the food industry, exposing how children are the real victims of this obesity crisis.
Highlighting the example of twelve-year-old Brook Bates, whose 2006 liposuction
Liposuction
Liposuction, also known as lipoplasty , liposculpture suction lipectomy or simply lipo is a cosmetic surgery operation that removes fat from many different sites on the human body...
surgery made national headlines, the film contemplates how the indoctrination of children to perpetuate unhealthy habits will supersede laying the blame on personal accountability.
The premiere of 8: The Mormon Proposition
8: The Mormon Proposition
8: The Mormon Proposition is an American documentary written by Reed Cowan, directed by Cowan and Steven Greenstreet, and narrated by Dustin Lance Black. The film documents The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' involvement in the 2008 California Proposition 8...
(2010) at Sundance
Sundance
Sundance Resort is a ski resort located northeast of Provo, Utah, spanning over on the slopes of Mount Timpanogos in Utah's Wasatch Range. Snow skiing began on the site in 1944...
was met with a lengthy standing ovation despite the intense controversy surrounding it.
The film was inspired by ballot measures like California’s "Prop 8," designed to legally prohibit same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage
Same-sex marriage is marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or social gender. Supporters of legal recognition for same-sex marriage typically refer to such recognition as marriage equality....
. Addressing the estimated $22 million Mormons
Mormons
The Mormons are a religious and cultural group related to Mormonism, a religion started by Joseph Smith during the American Second Great Awakening. A vast majority of Mormons are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while a minority are members of other independent churches....
had raised along with internal church documents, the film unravels an extensive campaign carried out by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) with intent to influence California’s voters.
Contrasting hard statistics with emotionally charged testimonials from gays and families, 8: The Mormon Proposition reveals the detrimental effect of the LDS church’s persistent stance on homosexuality.
The church has declined all of the filmmakers’ requests for interviews; LDS spokesman Michael Purdy has commented on the matter, “We have not seen ‘8: The Mormon Proposition.’ However, judging from the trailer and background material online, it appears that accuracy and truth are rare commodities in this film. Clearly, anyone looking for balance and thoughtful discussion of a serious topic will need to look elsewhere.”
Filmography
- 8: The Mormon Proposition8: The Mormon Proposition8: The Mormon Proposition is an American documentary written by Reed Cowan, directed by Cowan and Steven Greenstreet, and narrated by Dustin Lance Black. The film documents The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints' involvement in the 2008 California Proposition 8...
(2010) (co-director/producer)
- Killer at Large (2008) (director/producer)
- This Divided StateThis Divided StateThis Divided State is a documentary by first-time filmmaker Steven Greenstreet that details the conflict that erupted at Utah Valley State College , when controversial figure Michael Moore was scheduled to come speak on campus, shortly before the 2004 presidential election.- Synopsis :In September...
(2005) (director/producer)