Film tells tale of idealism, crime and betrayal

A film to be screened on campus Thursday tells the story of political activists who cross the line into law-breaking and authorities who may be crossing their own lines to catch them.

Better This World documents the story of Bradley Crowder and David McKay, who were accused of intending to firebomb the U.S. Republican National Convention in 2008. The film follows the radicalization of the boyhood friends from Midland, Texas, under the tutelage of revolutionary activist Brandon Darby. The results: eight homemade bombs, multiple domestic terrorism charges and a high-stakes entrapment defense hinging on the actions of a controversial informant for the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Through interviews with Crowder, McKay, their families, attorneys and FBI agents, filmmakers Katie Galloway and Kelly Duane de la Vega reconstruct the story of the relationship between these three men and the subsequent twists and turns of their legal cases.

A co-production of ITVS with funding provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Better This World won the 2012 Writers Guild Award for best documentary.

Cinema Politica presents the screening at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 19, in room 108, Odette Building. Admission is by donation.

View the Better This World trailer: