JOHN BENNARDO – THE TMG INTERVIEW
Interview by Paul Preston
Who knew the two dollar bill was so fascinating? I have one, and I’ve hung onto it for decades as if I can’t go down to the bank and get one. See?
I’ve kept it for years, along with foreign currency, lucky coins and tokens and things from places I’ve visited. So what is the mystique behind these bills? That question is answered in the straightforwardly-titled The Two Dollar Bill Documentary, from director John Bennardo.
The Movie Guys will be hosting a southern California Tugg screening of the doc in mid-June, so we caught up with Bennardo to give us the skinny on what we might expect from the film:
The title cleanly states what this is, a documentary about the elusive and sexy two dollar bill. But please give us the skinny on what more we can expect from the film.
The film will exceed your expectations as far as entertainment value and content. Everyone who sees the film leaves the theater commenting on how surprised they are at how much information there is about the $2, how many people use it, how many touching stories there are revolving around it, and other facts about currency in general. Basically, you can expect to be entertained and surprised.
So how do you see the two dollar bill and know there’s a movie there?
Frankly, I didn’t. I knew I wanted to do something about the $2 bill, and at first I thought the movie would be a little bit of history and a lot of hidden camera footage of what happens when you use a $2 bill. But as I researched the topic, and as word of the film’s existence spread throughout Kickstarter and beyond, people from all over the country reached out to me with their unique stories or involvement with the $2 bill. The scope of the film grew dramatically, and it got to a point where I had to turn some stories away and try to fit what I had into a manageable movie length.
How intense was your research into the popularity of two dollar bills at strip clubs?
I’d like to think my answer depends on whether or not my wife is reading this article, but the truth is, I didn’t have to do a whole lot. I found a few online blogs and articles about it, and one of them had some great information since the idea started in a club she used to dance in. The only problem from there was finding a club that would allow me into their place to talk about it and get some coverage. Casa Diablo, in Portland, Oregon, did. And it turned out that the owner also had gotten into trouble once for tainting the $2s with red ink, so it was a win-win to end up filming there.
Excellent. So Casa Diablo. Great. Who are your favorite girls there?
Wait, did we say whether my wife was reading this or not?
Have I gotten off topic?
Absolutely.
Who is the coolest person you interviewed for the movie?
Probably Steven Reisman, the New York attorney who hands out $2s to almost everyone he interacts with. As an attorney in a high-profile firm, he gets backstage passes to concerts, and all the rappers and many other artists know him because they get a $2 from him when they meet him. Mr. Reisman hands out $2s for a good purpose and doesn’t like to be acknowledged or talked about, but he saw my passion for the project, knew I was doing the film to glorify the $2 bill (not him), and agreed to appear. It was after speaking with him that I also found what the film should really be about.
Was there an interview that got away?
Yes. I had wanted to interview Casey Neistat, the popular internet filmmaker who has a short film on $2 bills along with a big following. He was into it but we were unable to get something scheduled during either of my two trips to New York. He’s very busy! It’s one I wish I had but looking at the film now, I don’t know where I would have put him.
What was the biggest surprise (you’re willing to give away) when making the film?
It’s nothing that involves a particular scene. I was surprised at just how many people truly love this piece of currency and wanted to be a part of it. This bill that I thought no one cared about is actually something that brings joy to many, many people. So to be the director of a movie all about them and to see how people responded to me was as gratifying as it was surprising.
How was your festival run with the film?
We premiered in Fort Lauderdale, which is close to where I live, so that was nice. I was thrilled to play in New York, which is where a good portion of the film was shot. That allowed a lot of my interviewees to be there and celebrate the film together. There have been a few disappointments along the way but also some great opportunities, such as the chance to come to San Francisco and screen there. I’m satisfied with the run, but think it could have been a little more fulfilling.
I personally think we should get rid of the penny. It can’t help you buy anything anymore except frustration. What do you make of the idea of getting rid of the one dollar bill, making the two dollar bill the main bill of America, giving it the respect it deserves
It’ll never happen. People are used to their currency and don’t like change (not coins change, just change). There would be an uproar if the $1 bill was discontinued. I am in favor of greater use of the $2, but at the same time, if it stays less-known, it retains its sentimental value and odd status. It might be better that way.
How many two dollar bills do you personally have?
I had eleven two dollar bills when I started making the film. These all were accumulated since childhood and kept for the same reasons everyone keeps theirs. Through making the film, I acquired three more that take on added value because of how I got them (one came from Steven Reisman). So now I have 14 I’ll never spend. However, I also go to the bank all the time and buy $100 worth of $2s. I spend those freely and enjoy what happens when I do so.
I know you’re doing TUGG screenings and I’ll post the information for the southern California screening at the end of this article, but what’s next for the project?
The film just signed on with an independent distributor who discovered the film at the Palm Beach International Film Festival. He is now on board to get it in front of the Netflixes, cable channels and other outlets to hopefully bring the film more exposure and a possible permanent landing space.
Did you slip him a $2 on the sly just to ensure you’re taken care of?
No, but I bought him a coffee and paid for it with all $2s.
Google results for “two dollar bill” initially show their worth, which is $2. Surprising?
Not at all. To understand why, just watch the film.
The Southern California Tugg screening of The Two Dollar Bill Documentary is Monday, June 20th at 7:30PM at the AMC Del Amo 18 Theaters in Torrance, CA. For tickets: https://www.tugg.com/events/106837
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