Filmmaker Brings Attention to Prejudices 'Before the World Goes Boom'

A single question motivated a graduate to create a documentary about racisms and prejudice around the country:

"Why are people acting the way they are?"

The goal of "Before the World Goes Boom" is to shed light on racism and prejudices across the country and to broaden people's perspectives. The documentary, which is yet to be released, was made by Larry Longstreth, 30, a Stow native now living in Akron and Jacob Ruby, 26, of Stow.

To make the documentary, the two traveled with a group of friends to witness the Occupy Wall Street movement in New York City. Then the group made several stops through the Bible Belt interviewing the young and old about their religious and political beliefs. 

"Many of the people we met were awesome ... all with unique perspectives. We went from New York down to the backwoods of some states," Longstreth said. "We wrangle up as many different points of view as possible."

One hurdle to overcome while making the documentary was selecting whom to interview.

"We actually talk about this in the film ... if we're only able to interview one person of Islam, or one person from the Tea Party, that person doesn't speak for the entire Muslim culture," said Ruby, the film's editor. 

Ruby and Longstreth said interviewing the average person was just as important as interviewing the extremists. 

"I was told, 'Be careful, you're going to meet some weirdos and dangerous people.' But I still talked to them," Longstreth said.

Some of the so-called extremists held back when interviewed on camera, which is brought up in the film, he said.

"The minute you start rolling [film], they neuter themselves," Longstreth said. "Sometimes they don't want to be exposed. ...I think everybody wants to portray a character ... the southerners want to be John Wayne, but in reality, they don't feel the same way." 

Throughout the film-making process, Longstreth learned everyone is at least a little bit racist, even if only subconsciously. 

"You have to identify that and then combat it," he said. "I think people are starting to get there and some people hold back the tides of change. Slowly ... step-by-step, we'll overcome it."

The documentary was financed by donations and with the help of a big check from American film director, producer and documentarian Lloyd Kaufman, the president and co-founder of Troma Entertainment.

"He's 'Yodaed' me for awhile," Longstreth said. "He called and said he really believed in what we were doing."

Kaufman's organization has been around 40 years. He has worked with Matt Stone and Trey Parker (creators of Comedy Central's South Park) and helped produce Kevin Costner's and Vincent D'Onfrio's first films.

After meeting Longstreth, Kaufman said he was impressed with his "wit and clarity." 

"When he told me about the project ... I agreed to help him out. There's a lot of stuff out there on those themes, but they are always kind of safe," he said. "His film shows the raw realities."

The documentary fits in with Troma Entertainment's mission to create films with truly independent artists, Kaufman said.

"He's helping keep independent art alive," he said of Longstreth. "He's a true artist who has educated himself. Larry truly is original ... and that's what makes America great."

The film has not yet been released, but when it is, Longstreth said it should be available on iTunes and Netflix. The plan is to submit it to film festivals as well. 

For more information, watch the trailer attached to this story and visit the documentary's Facebook page.