No, this post isn’t about Zohran Mamdani. (Well, maybe a little.) I’ll skip straight to the moral of the story: if your adult offspring sends you a link, read ALL of it before reacting.

That said, sometimes reactions can lead somewhere positive. Let me explain that statement…and also, for those of you who don’t follow my blog, why I’m sending this to you.

Son Two, Casey, has only dipped his toes into filmmaking. But (as he acknowledges) he’s dipped his toes into many things, so when he told us he was filming a promo for his feature, my thought was, Way to be creative–go get ’em, kid.

Then came the fundraising link for Anyone But Linda. I immediately clicked on the video–Hey, that’s my boy! And then came…

Wait. You’re raising money for a movie, now? When it feels like all hands on deck to keep folks in Minneapolis fed and housed, under the ICE/CBP siege?

Wait. If folks donate to you, what are they not going to donate to?

Wait. You’re a healthy millennial with more resources than many. You’re putting your time and energy into a movie? What about more hands-on action, like when you were helping detainees released from the ICE facility in Tacoma?

Such were my maternal reactions. Followed by…

I should be telling my son how proud I am. I should be contributing to his project. How can I tell him about my misgivings without damaging our relationship?

So I wrote Son Two a long letter, giving each of my concerns its own thoughtful, loving (I hoped) paragraph. I put it in an email, then reread it several times before hitting Send. My stomach hurt.

Turns out I could’ve saved myself the gut-wrench. Not only did Casey write back with an equally long and heartfelt letter, not only did he suggest we talk that night, but when we did…

…he pointed out that the fundraising link contained the answers to ALL my concerns. In my haste to watch (and react to) the video, I had missed everything underneath. Like the mission statement:

“Given the state of the world, it’s no wonder so many have given up on politics. Hope is in short supply. This film is meant to reignite the flame of belief, not in unfair systems, but in the unique power of individuals to stand up to them – with a tickle, a wink, and a gentle nudging of the heart.” [emphasis mine]

And the synopsis:

“Linda Santori has been in office FOREVER and, like the rest of the establishment, she is totally out of touch with working class people. Or so says Suresh Palavairayan, the young progressive running to challenge her. The campaign is a long-shot…but Cole has a plan.

Adrift in his mid-20s, in an unfulfilling job and a relationship that’s lost its spark, Cole is searching for purpose. His social media addiction keeps him overly informed – and borderline depressed. Suresh’s firebrand rhetoric is just the push he has been needing, that sends him stumbling into a zany plan of action:

To open the path for new leadership, he will jump-scare the aging Congresswoman so badly that she decides to retire.

It barely makes sense and is hardly likely to succeed, but in this impulsive scheme Cole finds what he has been needing to believe in himself, in democracy, and the power that we each have to make a difference.” [emphasis mine]

This was exactly the passionate purpose I was wondering about. It’s no secret that Gen Z is likely to be the difference-maker in the elections of 2026 and 2028. Someone has to reach out to those dispirited Americans. Do I have any ideas how to? No…but Son Two does.

The rest of the fundraising site (which I’d missed) even answered my main question (above).

“Politics today are depressing. Social media bombards us with endless catastrophe and crisis; each one complex, urgent, and overwhelming. We feel powerless as individuals and our elected representatives can’t, or won’t, take meaningful action.

Yet across the country there are dozens of young progressive candidates challenging establishment politicians with grassroots campaigns. Up against corporate money, the key to their success has been thousands of individuals volunteering to canvass and phone-bank. These candidates are our hope for change and these volunteers are proof that each one of us can play a role in making that hope a reality.

We desperately need a story of politics that is uplifting. And relatable. And funny enough to make you remember it’s not all doom and gloom out there. Anybody But Linda is the political story that nudges you to find your purpose, even if it seems impractical.

With a small cast and few shooting locations, this feature film is designed to be produced like a short. This allows for a speedy timeline (shooting end of March) so that the film’s release will coincide with political primaries in June ahead of the midyear elections. The vision is to host community screenings that allow folks to come together in dialogue about the social and political themes of the film, and galvanize civic participation. It also means getting scrappy with the budgeting, so every dollar counts!

The production itself is an homage to grassroots organizing, with many people volunteering their valuable time and skills in support of a greater mission. Funds raised allow us to compensate our actors, crew, and host locations.” [emphasis mine]

The more I ponder the questions raised by the promo of Anyone But Linda, the more I find myself thinking, Maybe this story does have to do with Zohran Mamdani. Finding power, hope, purpose…in politics? Yes to that. This little movie, when made, won’t detract from anyone giving of themselves to help the next Mamdani, or the citizens of Minneapolis. This little movie can remind folks why they want to do just that.

Now that you know all this, please–enjoy the promo! And consider helping the project. (I did. Then I gave again to a church in Minneapolis and a mutual aid there. Hope and purpose, both.)