Demand forces venue change for Traficant film

AKRON — Even though he’s dead, James A. Traficant Jr. still draws attention.

“Traficant: The Congressman of Crimetown,” a 90-minute documentary on the former congressman’s life — which at times caused the audience to laugh as if many of them couldn’t believe his antics were real — had its premiere tonight at the Akron-Summit County Main Library.

As part of the Cleveland International Film Festival, the film was to be shown at a 150-seat theater at the nearby Akron Art Museum. Because of greater demand to see the documentary, it was moved to a 400-seat theater at the library. Nearly every seat was taken.

“It’s all very surreal,” said Eric Murphy, the film’s director, producer, writer and editor, after the screening. “I’ve been sitting in a dark room with this for six years and now people have seen it.”

When asked about his next project, Murphy said, “A glass of whiskey and a nap.”

For the complete story, read Sunday's Vindicator and Vindy.com