“The Last Republican” Explores the Human Story Behind Kinzinger’s Defiance, According to Reuters

By Atsuko Kitayama

TORONTO – "The Last Republican," a documentary focusing on former U.S. Representative Adam Kinzinger, explores the journey of the Republican who faced backlash from his party for his outspoken criticism of Donald Trump.

The film, which premieres at this month’s Toronto International Film Festival, captures Kinzinger’s experiences following the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Throughout the aftermath, Kinzinger expresses his desire to hold Trump accountable for what he considers crossing a "red line" when the former president encouraged his supporters to disrupt the certification of Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory.

Director Steve Pink aimed to highlight the personal aspects of Kinzinger’s decision to challenge Trump, despite the risk of alienation from his party as a conservative congressman from Illinois. "That part of the story isn’t political at all, but it could resonate with anyone faced with making a difficult decision on principle," Pink shared in an interview.

In the wake of the Capitol violence, Kinzinger voted to impeach Trump and joined Liz Cheney as one of two Republicans on the House committee investigating the January 6 events. This decision led the Republican National Committee to censure him in 2022, denouncing the investigation as an attack on "legitimate political discourse." Kinzinger announced in October 2021 that he would not seek reelection.

Now serving as a TV commentator, Kinzinger is backing Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris in this year’s election. Recently, he expressed openness to accepting a cabinet position if Harris wins in November and offers him a role.

The documentary marks a shift for Pink, known for his 2010 science fiction comedy "Hot Tub Time Machine." Throughout their collaboration, the relationship between the liberal director and the conservative former congressman enriched the storytelling, according to both men.

Kinzinger appreciated the diversity of thought, stating, "If he agreed with me on every issue, what are we going to talk about?" He encouraged viewers to engage with those who hold different perspectives, finding it both interesting and enjoyable.

With the presidential election approaching, concerns about the increasing polarization in U.S. politics are becoming more pronounced. Pink remarked, "There’s no society or country that works when it’s divided. We need to find a way to come together if we want to maintain our democracy. That’s the film’s message."