Livingston Halts Daily Wire Film Permit Over ICE Controversy and Safety Concerns

Key points

• Livingston City Commission unanimously voted to suspend the filming permit for 'Pawn Shop' on October 4, pending a legal review by the city attorney.
• The film, produced by Daily Wire and Bonfire Legend, is described as pro-ICE and features an opening scene dramatizing the fatal shooting of Renée Good in Minneapolis.
• Residents and the Livingston Food Resource Center reported that armed security guards and road closures hindered access to the food bank, causing a 17% drop in attendance.
• The production was approved with only 12 days' notice, and city officials stated they were unaware of the film's political content until protests began.
• The film is not under an IATSE contract, though it holds a conditional start with SAG-AFTRA, and features cast members including Danny Trejo and Harvey Keitel.

Background

Livingston, Montana, has a long history of hosting film productions, including 'The Horse Whisperer' and 'A River Runs Through It.' The city has a policy of not regulating the content of local projects, but this incident has prompted calls for new regulations regarding advance notice for stunts and pyrotechnics. The production of 'Pawn Shop' follows previous controversies involving producer Dallas Sonnier and the film 'Run Hide Fight: Infidels,' which faced labor issues and on-set accidents.

How outlets are covering it

Variety and Deadline report on the suspension of the film permit following a special city commission meeting, highlighting concerns over the film's impact on local businesses and the food bank. NBC Montana and the Bozeman Daily Chronicle provide additional context on the local protests and the city's response, noting that the city was unaware of the film's political content until protests began. The Bozeman Daily Chronicle also details the script's content, including its depiction of the Renée Good shooting and the involvement of Ben Shapiro and Dallas Sonnier. All sources agree on the temporary suspension of the permit and the concerns raised by locals, but they differ in the level of detail provided regarding the script and the city's permitting process.

Why it matters

The suspension of the 'Pawn Shop' permit highlights the growing tension between political content in film productions and local communities. It raises questions about the transparency of film permits and the impact of politically charged narratives on local businesses and residents. The incident may also lead to new regulations in Livingston regarding advance notice for stunts and pyrotechnics, potentially affecting future film productions in the area.

What to watch

The Livingston City Commission is expected to review the legal opinion from the city attorney by October 5 to decide whether to amend, suspend, or revoke the permit. The production may resume if the permit is reinstated, but the controversy could lead to new regulations regarding film permits and advance notice for stunts in Livingston.