Larry v. Lockney

a film by

Mark Birnbaum & Jim Schermbeck

Meet Larry Tannahill. Out of 2000 residents in the West Texas town of Lockney, he's the only one against the school board's new mandatory drug testing policy. Larry, a third-generation farmer, believes the testing is a violation of his son's 4th Amendment right against unreasonable searches. He sues, prompting an alliance with the American Civil Liberties Union — an organization he had never heard of before. In the battle over rights, Larry makes headlines around the country, loses his job and his family receives threats. Larry v. Lockney dramatically reveals the price of democracy in a small Texas town, when one man stands against the majority.

“A polished… virtually letter-perfect lesson in fairness and thoroughness. The producers of Dateline, 20/20 and even 60 Minutes could learn a bundle by watching Larry v. Lockney from start to finish. Cuts to the heart of passions and issues without going for the jugular. That's becoming a lost art.” — Ed Bark, Dallas Morning News

A co-production with KERA-TV, Dallas Presented by ITVS

National Broadcast Premier: P.O.V./PBS 

Best Documentary,

Deep Ellum Film Festival

Screenings:

Dallas Video Festival,

Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival, Telluride INDIFEST,

One World International Film Festival (Prague),

United Nations Association Film Festival, Pennsylvania Film Festival, Telly Award, The Territory, South Texas Institute for the Arts

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Behind The Scenes

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