This is going to sound weird, but I’m immensely grateful for the checks and balances built into our government ― aka the “Deep State” ― and in particular, the FBI.

Some years you slack, explore, travel. Some you hustle. Some years you hustle so much you’re strictly on your grind, even when democracy’s crumbling. That doesn’t mean you’re not going to do your part, it just means you’re pissed off you even have to be fixing this shit.

The writer and producer of the Sundance NEXT Audience Award-winning feature talks about what made the world a better place last year and finding empathy and equality in Harry Potter.