The acclaimed documentary, Bidder 70, chronicles the courageous act of Tim DeChristopher, who disrupted an unlawful Utah Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Oil and Gas lease auction. Despite facing years of postponed trials and ongoing organizing efforts, the film culminates with DeChristopher’s sentencing and immediate removal from the courtroom. He was subsequently sentenced to two years in federal prison, serving 21 months before his release on April 21, 2013.
The documentary sheds light on the controversial prosecution of DeChristopher, highlighting the absurdity of his conviction in light of subsequent legal developments. Notably, a federal judge later halted the sale of all parcels bid on by DeChristopher, and the Obama Administration’s Department of the Interior deemed the entire sale improper, withdrawing all parcels from auction. However, DeChristopher’s defense team was prohibited from presenting these facts to the jury during the trial, raising questions about the fairness of his prosecution.
Bidder 70, produced by Beth and George Gage, has received acclaim, winning 20 major film festival awards.
You can engage with Bidder 70 through various platforms:
- Visit the official Bidder 70 film site.
- Watch Bidder 70 on Netflix, iTunes, or Amazon Instant Video.
- Purchase the DVD on Amazon.
- Organize a community screening in your area.
For those in the Greater Boston area, there’s an opportunity to host a screening with the possibility of Tim DeChristopher attending for a post-film Q&A session. If interested, please fill out the provided form.