| This Place Rules | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Documentary |
| Directed by | Andrew Callaghan |
| Starring | Andrew Callaghan |
| Production | |
| Executive producers | Tim Heidecker Eric Wareheim Andrew Callaghan Evan Gilbert-Katz Nic Mosher |
| Producers |
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| Cinematography |
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| Editor | Clay Lorant-Saldaña |
| Running time | 82 minutes |
| Production companies |
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| Original release | |
| Network | HBO |
| Release | December 30, 2022 (2022-12-30) |
This Place Rules is a 2022 Americandocumentary film directed byAndrew Callaghan in his featuredirectorial debut. The film premiered onHBO on December 30, 2022, and was released onHBO Max the following day.
The film follows Callaghan as he travels across the United States in the months preceding theJanuary 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Andrew Callaghan is the presenter and co-founder ofChannel 5, a digital media company and web channel known for itsgonzo journalism andman on the street interviews.[1][2][3][4] He first discussed the then-untitled film on a July 2021 episode of theFear & Malding podcast hosted byHasan Piker andWill Neff.[5] In a later livestream with Piker after the films release, Callaghan revealed that the original title for the film was "America Shits Itself."[6] Callaghan also discusses the troubles of selling his film on an episode of theLeftovers podcast in November 2022. He says that he worked on the movie for four months and then pitched it for two years.[7] In September 2022,HBO acquired the distribution rights for a documentary film directed by Callaghan centering around the January 6 United States Capitol attack.A24, Strong Baby Productions, andAbso Lutely Productions were also announced as production companies.[1] Segments from the film were shown to those who attended the Channel 5 Live tour in late 2022,[8] during which Callaghan also revealed that it would be titledThis Place Rules and released onHBO Max on December 30, 2022.[9] The film's first trailer was released on December 8, 2022, confirming the title and premiere date.InfoWars host and conspiracy theoristAlex Jones appears in the film.[2]
This Place Rules premiered onHBO on December 30, 2022, and began streaming onHBO Max the next day.[3]
As a result of the documentary, the film's producer,Andrew Callaghan, spoke publicly to media outlets about the film. In an interview withCNN, Callaghan describes how the film is also about the role ofmainstream media, "stoking fear and division" among the public as they compete for viewership in the24-hour news cycle. CNN co-hostDon Lemon responded by disagreeing with Callaghan that the network had any influence on the events of January 6th.[10] Callaghan also spoke toNPR's Alina Selyukh about the film,[11] in addition toVariety,Interview, andTime.[12][13][14]
Reviews have stated the film is uncomfortable, given the format of the documentary—in line with Callaghan's other work—takes direction from the interviewees and events occurring within the film. Some felt the lack of narrative meant a clear takeaway from the film was not possible, while others felt this echoed the intention of the film's director.[15] TheSan Francisco Chronicle gave the film a 75 out of 100, praising it as a "fresh angle" on the events of January 6th, and commending Callaghan for his unique approach.[16]
