UPDATE: A powerful new documentary titled Homegrown is raising urgent alarms about the events surrounding the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack, as it becomes available for rent from January 6 to February 16. Directed by Michael Premo, this film dives deep into the violent actions of the Proud Boys and the dangerous ideology fueling their movement.
Despite its acclaim in Europe and South America, Homegrown struggles to find a distributor in the United States, highlighting a troubling trend of minimizing the significance of January 6th in national discourse. “I really think it’s telling around the narrative,” Premo told Raw Story. “It’s been downplayed and diminished within our national conversation.”
The film tracks three members of the Proud Boys, focusing on their transformation from the summer protests of 2020 to the Capitol insurrection. The documentary captures the raw emotions and motivations of these men, including Chris Quaglin, a father-to-be who vandalized a Black Lives Matter mural, and Randy Ireland, an Air Force veteran disillusioned by the group’s escalating violence.
Quaglin’s arrest two months after the attack and subsequent conviction on multiple felony charges, including assaulting police and obstruction of Congress, underscores the lasting consequences of that day. He received a pardon from Donald Trump shortly after the inauguration, illustrating the complex intertwining of politics and criminality in modern America.
Premo emphasizes that the 2020 events are not confined to the past. “They’re waiting for when they’re needed again,” he warns, suggesting that the political landscape remains fraught with potential for violence. He reflects on Trump’s controversial call to the Proud Boys during a debate, stating, “The role that’s played by the foot-soldier activist is to be proactive… Maybe that happens when Trump refuses to leave office after his term is up.”
As Homegrown prepares to be rented directly from its website, it invites viewers to engage with a narrative that many in the U.S. seem eager to forget. The film is a stark reminder of the fragility of democracy and the threats that linger in the shadows, waiting for the next opportunity to rise.
With its gripping storytelling and revealing character studies, Homegrown seeks to reignite conversations about accountability and the dark legacy of January 6th. As the documentary becomes accessible, it presents an urgent opportunity for American audiences to confront the realities of their recent past and recognize the signs of a potential repeat.
For those interested in witnessing this critical examination of an episode that shaped U.S. history, Homegrown can be rented from homegrown.film/watch starting January 6, just days away. Don’t miss the chance to engage with this timely and impactful film.
