Nat Bates for Mayor

Nat Bates For Mayor documents the outrageous 2014 Richmond mayor's race, home to the second largest California refinery. In a brazen move, Chevron spent over $3 million to back 83-year-old African-American stalwart Nat Bates. Bates makes a Faustian bargain with the corporate behemoth to preserve the waning power of Richmond's African-American working class community, whose rich history dates back to World War Two. It's black against white; pro-development against eco-friendly; David versus Goliath. Is Bates the savior or stooge? A wacky ride with some entertaining and offbeat political personalities, the guerilla-style documentary follows the candidates as they lock horns in a battle for mayor and the future of the Bay Area oil town. With cameos by Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and legendary civil rights leader Andrew Young, the film is a potent mix of corporate influence, race, gentrification, homophobia, political self-determination, and humor – all told through the stories of bigger-than-life small-town characters. (Woodstock Film Festival)