03/24/2004 Bernardsville News -
Filmmaker hoping to pitch Irwin documentary
by DAVID POLAKIEWICZ , Staff Writer
BERNARDS TWP Irwin Richardt's strong belief in the principles held by America's Founding Fathers and dismay over how modern America strays from them is already well known by Somerset Hills officials, newspaper readers and fellow citizens.
But the Allen Road maple sugar farmer's unique life and views may eventually reach a much wider audience via the silver screen, if a documentary filmmaker from Bernardsville can complete a several-year-old project that's under way.
Prospect Street resident Don Gehan has compiled nearly 100 hours of film of Richardt during the past four years, as well as interviews with about a half-dozen people who know him. A several minutes long trailer won praise in 2002 from the Independent Feature Project (IFP).
But now, Gehan faces the daunting task of editing the footage into a film that makes sense and raising the estimated $50,000 he needs to do the job.
Gehan's hope is that cable station HBO, which expressed interest after the IFP showing in New York City, or some other entity will buy the finished product.
Gehan, 45, and his wife moved to the borough in 1996 from Larchmont, N.Y. The documentary's roots go back to the late 1990s when Gehan read newspaper stories about Richardt's ongoing battles with Bernards Township officials over a road-widening project near his property.
Richardt, who regularly quotes Thomas Jefferson and other Revolutionary War era patriots in conversation and in his many letters, objected to that widening as another unnecessary government intrusion.
Gehan works as an advertising director for U.S. News and World Report but has dabbled in writing. Initially, he thought that Richardt's battles with the bureaucracy might make an interesting screenplay. He met first the Allen Road resident in December 1998 during a bonfire Richardt held on his property to commemorate Bill of Rights Day.
But Gehan ran into problems trying to put Richardt's story in words. Every time I put pen to paper it was going to be a Disney movie, said Gehan. I couldn't make it something someone would care about.
A turning point came when Gehan talked about Richardt with a friend who is in the film business. The friend suggested that a documentary would be a better way of telling Richardt's story.
My friend said, This guy really exists? Get a camera as soon as possible and start following him around before someone else does,' Gehan recalled.
Sea Of Liberty'
Gehan began filming on July 31, 2000, otherwise known to Richardt as Constitution Day.
That first day proved memorable. The camera rolled as Richardt received a summons for a bonfire on his property. Richardt and police officer William Brown engaged in a debate about the legal system, with Richardt insisting he had the right to a jury trial.
Brown calmly explained that's not the case in municipal court.
Subsequently, Gehan has filmed Richardt in his kitchen pontificating about the Constitution and modern-day America. He's also the filmed Richardt talking to school children on his property and speaking before the Township Committee.
He believes the Constitution ordains us to be empire-busters, said Gehan. What distresses him is we seem to be empire-lovers at this point in our history.
According to Gehan, one of Richardt's favorite quotes is one by Jefferson: Timid men prefer the calm of despotism to the tempestuous sea of liberty.
That quote really speaks to the way we view our democracy, as opposed to the way it was viewed 228 years ago, said Gehan.
Gehan's intent is not to produce a pro-Richardt documentary endorsing his opinions. He's filmed interviews with about a half-dozen people who know Richardt, including former Police Chief Charles Fortenbacker and former Mayor Diana Boquist, both of whom still reside in Bernards.
While many dismiss Richardt's views as wild rants, Gehan said those interviewed had a different opinion.
Everybody, except one person, gave me the exact same answer, said Gehan. They all said you need to spend 10 minutes with him and get to know him.
Gehan hopes a balanced film will help people think about the issues Richardt promotes such as the role of government.
The film is about Irwin, but I'm not looking for a way to tout his views, said Gehan. I want to put a spotlight on a conflict that may tell us more about where we've been and where we're going. Simply promoting Irwin's views for an hour or an hour-and-a-half is not going to move that discussion along.
If people watch this movie and come out arguing, I will have done my job, Gehan added.
Family History
While focusing on the debate that Richardt often stirs, Gehan has gotten to know the 76-year-old better than most people. Gehan sometimes takes his two young daughters to Richardt's property while he is tapping maple trees fro syrup.
Gehan has also traveled to acreage Richardt owns in upstate New York.
It's up on a ridge and you look out and see these blue mountains, said Gehan. It's a nice piece of property.
Gehan has also talked with Richardt about his family history. His father was blinded at the age of 10 in a fireworks accident. Although sightless, he raised Richardt and his two other sons himself after his wife passed away. One of Richardt's brothers died at age 19 in World War II while serving in the military during the French campaign.
His father was an incredible influence on him. He was rigidly independent, said Gehan.
So independent he built a barn that is still on the Liberty Corner property. According to Gehan, the feat made Ripley's Believe It or Not in a piece entitled Blind Man Builds Barn from Scratch.
With Richardt advancing in age, some neighbors and township officials wonder what the future holds for his property at the corner of Allen and Somerville roads.
I'm hoping to get something into the movie about what will happen to his land, said Gehan. I don't know anything, but it's something that everyone asks about.
Richardt, interviewed by a reporter from this newspaper at his home on Saturday afternoon, had seen the preliminary footage and spoke favorably of it.
I would like it to include more about my father but otherwise, it's been OK, he said.
Gehan is now seeking an affiliation with a non-profit organization that would allow donors to his film project to make tax-deductible contributions.
Anyone interested in the film can e-mail Gehan at .
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