The District has agreed to pay $12,000 to a company that once developed a reality series about Marion Barry to produce a documentary about his Southeast Washington ward.
The deal, first reported by WAMU, calls for May 3rd Films to make “a 30-minute film exploring the rich history of Ward 8.”
“The documentary will take the viewers through the process of the development of Ward 8, the present state and the future of Ward 8,” a May 3rd Films document said. “The documentary will stress contemporary issues that affect the black community in Ward 8, such as poverty, drugs and lack of access to equal education, and what steps have been taken, both past and present, to combat these obstacles.”
The document outlines other details of the yet-to-be-named film, including plans for interviews with “well-established and famous individuals.”
Even though Barry’s signature appears on the agreement with May 3rd Films, the lawmaker said he played no role in selecting the company to produce the new documentary.
Barry said the office of D.C. Council Secretary Nyasha Smith, the legislative branch’s top administrator, selected the company.
Smith did not respond to a request for comment, but a senior council aide, who demanded anonymity because the aide was not authorized to speak on the matter, said Smith’s role was limited to processing the contract’s paperwork. The official also said the $12,000 will come out of Barry’s office budget.
Barry told WAMU he hopes the film will help shatter perceptions about his ward, long the city’s most impoverished.
“Ward 8 has had a negative image over the years,” Barry said. “Since I have been in office, I have worked awfully hard to change the image.”
Through a spokeswoman, Barry declined to comment further.
The city’s leader for an unprecedented four terms, Barry has a special link to May 3rd Films: The company previously developed “Mayor for Life,” a reality series about Barry that never made it to the airwaves.
