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Trouble in Paradise is a real-life drama unfolding in the chaotic landscape of Florida politics over the course of a two-year period spanning from Election 2000 to Election 2002.  Set amidst a backdrop of present-day events, the story follows the lives of five Floridians.  Motivated by a sense of civic responsibility, they volunteer on campaigns, run for office, sue the state, and revisit the disturbing facts and unanswered questions of the historic election that changed their lives.

The bookends of this story are two elections: Election 2000 and Election 2002. The former occupies one of the strangest and most troubling chapters in American electoral politics starting with the confusing ballots, the counts, recounts and protests, and culminating in voter disenfranchisement, investigations and lawsuits. The latter prominently features the Florida governor's race as Democratic candidates Janet Reno and Bill McBride attempt to oust Republican incumbent and presidential brother, Jeb Bush. During the two intervening years some laws have changed, new voting machines have been installed, and yet the problems mount, the allegations and lawsuits continue and there are even pr oblems with the 2002 primary election that raise the ghosts of 2000.

Deidre Newton - “The Reluctant Activist”

We first meet Newton, a 42-year-old native Floridian and real estate broker, speaking before 5,000 people at the inaugural protest march in Washington DC, January 2001. She volunteered on Election Day for the Gore campaign and witnessed first hand the extent of the voting problems. This compelled her to dive head first into the post-election protest movement. We follow Deidre as she directs her new-found political motivation into campaigning for gubernatorial candidate Bill McBride. 

Thomas Johnson - “Man of Hope”

Johnson is an ex-felon and a pastor who moved to Florida from New York to head up the House of Hope, a program to re-integrate former felons into the community. Johnson's right to vote was restored in New York but, when he went to register in Florida, he learned that he had to appeal to the Governor for clemency. As a result of Election 2000, Florida's voting laws have been under intense scrutiny and Johnson's situation has been subsequently illuminated as an example of one of the most widespread mechanisms of voter disenfranchisement in the state. We talk with Johnson and his legal counsel, the Brennan Center for Justice (www.brennancenter.org) at New York University, about their lawsuit to reinstate the voting rights of 620,000 ex-felons. (Check for recent news of Johnson's case, Johnson v. Bush.)

Bob Kunst - “The Bush Stops Here”

When he was nine years old, a vandal bombed his synagogue and Bob Kunst became an activist. In the 1970's he founded the Oral Majority and led the fight against orange juice icon and gay foe Anita Bryant. In response to what he saw as the lack of follow-up by politicians after Election 2000, he decided to run for Governor himself. We see Kunst leading protests, giving speeches and demanding action from fellow Floridians. We see him struggle with his lack of funding and lack of media attention. His campaign slogan, "No More Bushit," and his confrontational demeanor alienate him from party politics yet garner respect from the grassroots constituency. What he lacks in etiquette he makes up for in chutzpah and candor. He proves what an army of one can achieve. (What Bob's up to now - www.hillarynow.com)

Larry Winawer - “All Politics is Local”

A 34-year-old Long Island transplant, Winawer is a teacher and private tutor. Election 2000 prompted him to throw his hat into the political ring. Brimming with enthusiam, energy and the desire to turn his activism into positive change, Winawer begins his political career with a run for Palm Beach County Commissioner in 2002. We see Winawer engage in the most rudimentary of campaign activities. He greets constituents outside supermarkets, attends neighborhood meetings and makes his case for a fresh new voice in Florida politics. Will he be able to get enough votes his first time out? Is this the beginning of a promising political career for this young man with big ideas?

Myrtle Rains - “Glades Activist”

Myrtle Rains lives in Belle Glade, a small town on the western edge of Palm Beach County. Belle Glade was carved right out of the Everglades and is known for its rich soil and bountiful produce.  Myrtle was the first president of the recently formed Glades Democratic Club and is a local champion of voter registration and voter participation. With her help, Belle Glade had a phenomenal turnout at the polls for Election 2000. Unfortunately many citizens were new to voting and many encountered problems and obstacles. Myrtle works hard to lift the spirits of the disenfranchised and to continue the fight for the African American voice to be heard in Florida politics.

Laurel Greenberg -“Producer, Director, Director of Photography, Editor”

L to R; Laurel Greenberg, cameraman Keith Wasserman, Jane Newman

Jane Newman - “Co-Producer”
Newman is a science writer and editor by trade with broad experience in communications, public policy and non-profit administration. Her interest in documentary film was cultivated as a graduate student while working at WNET's "Nature" in New York where she realized that humans were her species of choice.