Film

Crew Surprised by MAGA Politics in Ben Shapiro’s Pro-ICE Action Film

By Rhys Dunbar, Film EditorMarch 28, 2024

Filming of 'Pawn Shop' wrapped amid controversy over its political messaging, leaving crew members questioning what they were told before signing on.

A crew member who worked on Ben Shapiro’s pro-ICE action film 'Pawn Shop' has spoken out about their shock upon discovering the film’s explicit MAGA politics. The production, backed by Shapiro’s Daily Wire, faced local pushback in Livingston, Montana, where filming was temporarily halted over safety concerns and disruptions. The crew member, speaking anonymously, told IndieWire they would have declined the job had they known more about the film’s political stance beforehand, raising questions about disclosure in indie productions.

The controversy around 'Pawn Shop' extends beyond local protests. Shapiro claimed that city officials stopped the shoot purely for political reasons, stating that the city’s decision was an act of content discrimination and a violation of free speech. According to him, the city’s complaint was rooted in the film’s subject matter—immigration enforcement—and not safety or logistical issues. The permit was ultimately reinstated with conditions, but the episode has spotlighted the murky line between politics and filmmaking in small-town settings.

The crew member’s account underscores a broader issue: what filmmakers owe their teams in terms of transparency. Crew members are often hired for their skills, not their political views, but when the content they work on clashes with their values or expectations, it prompts a debate about disclosure and consent. Indie productions, like major studios, often keep plot details under wraps to protect creative integrity, but this case suggests a need for clearer communication about a project’s ideological leanings. More context: Indie film.

'Pawn Shop' wrapped filming on October 9, after a brief permit suspension. The film’s political content reportedly surprised some crew members, who were not made aware of the film’s MAGA-centric messaging before signing their contracts. Critics and local residents questioned whether the production should have been more upfront about its themes, especially given the controversy surrounding immigration enforcement and the political climate.

Despite the permit being reinstated, the incident has sparked ongoing debate about transparency in indie filmmaking. Crew members who find themselves unwittingly involved in politically charged projects argue they deserve to know what they’re endorsing through their work. As small-town permit disputes continue to flare, the question remains: what exactly should filmmakers disclose before hiring crews for controversial topics?

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