>> thank you for watching, and john seigenthaler is five days away from the first contest the democratic race too close to call and donald trump backing out of the last debate before the vote. >> reporter: they can't toy with me like they toy with everybody else >> reporter: tell vision networks decide who will moderate their debate but that doesn't mean donald trump will do it. >> we will do something whale we raise money for the veterans and the wounded warriors. >> reporter: at the center of his fury the fox news anchor and one of the moderators of the public debate. >> donald trump is not used to not controlling thing as the

chief you've of a large organization, but he doesn't get to control the media. >> reporter: wednesday the donald trump campaign dumped down on its reason for pulling out. >> she has done multiple shows on why he shouldn't be involved in the debate. >> you've called women you like facility pigs, dogs, slobs and disgusting animal >> only rosie o'donnell >> >> no it wasn't. >> reporter: he objected to her being a moderator and he said he wouldn't be truth fairly >> she is biassed against me. she knows that, i know that, everybody knows that. do you really think she can be fair at a debate? >> reporter: he said he was ready to but was pushed to bail out after a statement:

>> i didn't like the fact that they sent out press releases toying, talking about putin and playing games. i don't know what games roger eels is playing, but what's wrong over there? something is wrong >> reporter: hoping to capitalize on a donald trump no show, he hoped to gain >> if mr donald trump is scared to face megan kelly, then i would ask that he at least show the rrp that is owed to the help and women at iowa. >> reporter: he compared donald trump's debate boycott to failing to show up for a job interview and even employed the famous catch phrase >> and you know what, if someone did that, didn't show up at the interview, you know what you'd

say? you're fired republican joe watkins is a former white house aid. he is now senior price president of elected phase. what do you think this means for the campaign, donald trump boycotting the debate? >> well, certainly it gives him more visibility. without having to spend money, he becomes again the center of attention. everybody is forced to talk about him and again what does it mean and will this hurt him and kurt his campaign. i don't think he loses any of his support base. he keeps himself right in the front and center in this campaign. he has more time to gallon van eyes-- galvanise because he says he is sick of them trying to run

this. he will probably tweet the whole time the debate is taking place and respond to every negative comment that his opponents may have to say. he will continue to control the conversation. that's what he done the whole time. he has controlled the conversation as you know his campaign manager has been feuding with fox news behind the scenes and the network put out this statement last night. fox said: won't donald trump need fox news, this conservative leaning news channel at some point? doesn't it matter? >> think about this.

donald trump, whether people like him or dislike him, it's great for ratings. he understands that. he knows at the end of the day he is a big story. everything he does causes viewers want to know what he is doing. fox will gladly cover him, whether there are those at the network that support him or choose not to is not the point. he will be great for their ratings and he will certainly be somebody who will galvanise the watching of the network let's just say without donald trump, does ted cruz become front and center of this debate? >> he probably does. i think some of the other candidates take off off hik. if i was marco rubio i would. he just got that big endorsement in iowa and in des moines. if he is smart he would chip

away at the lead that ted cruz has in iowa. certainly if you're kk, jeb bush, john kasich, any of those you would want to chip away at the guy that's there and that will be ted cruz. he will be front and center and he will probably be in the eye of the storm. they will try to talk about donald trump. ted cruz will attack donald trump because he is leading, but because ted cruz is there, he will probably get a lot of the ire of the other candidates cnn polls has donald trump ahead in iowa, but not necessarily by much. we know this is essential for candidates to have a solid ground game to mobilize supporters to get out to the caucus. do you think donald trump has the machine and has the backing to get people to these caucuses and have them understand what to do? >> that is a great question. that is really the $64,000

question, is can he actually get his supporters to the caucuses to caucus for him and that is the all important day next week. that is the question that nobody knows. i think he does have a strong organization and he realises what has to happen to translate the polls into a win. he needs to win in iowa in order to head to new hampshire with a new head of steam. what ted cruz has warned past pastors, that if donald trump wins the iowa caucuses it may be hard for anybody to stop him or catch him we will see. thank you very much. >> thanks tonight the f.b.i. is moving to put an end to the armed occupation of an immediate ral wildlife rev-- federal wildlife refuge. it has been sealed by officials. eight of the protesters were arrested including their leader. one person was killed. our correspondent is in burns

with more. >> reporter: another interesting and significant development tonight. in recent weeks we've heard the governor of oregon is the occupiers here to give up and go home. we've seen the sheriff of the county ask them to give up and go home. we've seen people in the city of burns tell them to give up and go home. now ammon bundy, the leader of the people, is telling them to give up and go home saying through his attorney in portland today it is time to stand down. this is in the courts now. we will take it from here. go home and hug your families. so far we haven't got word of any significant movement out of that refuge, which is about 30 miles south of town. this isn't quite wrapped up yet. law enforcement tightens the perimeter with roadblocks set up on the true approaches to the isolated wildlife hearsay.

eight are now in custody, seven in oregon, another in arizona, all facing at least one felony charge >> it is the actions and choices of the armed occupiers of the refuge that has led us to where we are today. they had ample opportunity to leave the refuge peacefully and as the f.b.i. and our partners have clearly demonstrated, actions are not without consequences. >> reporter: one of those consequences, the death of lavoy finicum shot in a confrontation with police. the arizona rancher gave us the first tour of the occupied property and first hint of the determination behind the protest. >> you feel something in here about what is going on here >> i do. there's an emotion, a fire burning inside that's hardly for me to not speak up and stand out. >> reporter: he emerged early as a leader and spokesman for the group, clearly admired by

others. lavoy finicum also had a keen sense of the theater of the moment >> if they want to serve a warrant, here i am, right here. i'm going to make my bed right here. they can come serve it right here. i love the free air >> reporter: on this night, to the gate with a rifle and a sleep bag, promising to camp out and wait for authorities. >> reporter: what ends this peacefully? >> the federal government goes home. they have strict responsibilities spelled out in the constitution. they're not to reach down to every level of states and the counties and regulate every aspect >> reporter: do you expect gunfire? >> well, if they want to pull the trigger, i guess it's up to them >> reporter: authorities haven't given any details on how lavoy finicum was killed. when shots were fired during the arrests on tuesday. here how is one of the occupiers who claimed to be in a different vehicle in the same convoy described it in a facebook post.

>> he went after them. he charged them. lavoy finicum was passionate. not citiesing what they did or what he did >> reporter: the acknowledged leaders of the take over and five others arrested in the burns area were arraigned in federal court in portland. while behind the new road blocks, those remaining at the refuge headquarters have been asked again to leave. the family of lavoy finicum posted on facebook today thank you to all the people sending love and prayers their direction. they also said keep up the fight against tyranny, press forward, an indication that whatever may happen here in the burns area in the short-term, in the long-term the broader battle by the anti-government forces over land rights in the west and especially in other places around the u.s. is far from over. as the bundys have said, it is

now in the court, we will take it from here. none of us have heard of last of this joining us now is debra jordan, the co-heft of a show. peter was arrested last night with six other protesters. welcome. you were with peter last night when he was arrested. what did you see? >> pete approached the officers at the courthouse here in burns and he was pleading with them to give him safe passage to the wildlife refuge so that we could assist in getting the women and children out. he had that conversation with them for about five minutes. they seemed to be very interested in his idea to get some locals to go out and, you know, pete and i spent a lot of time with the protesters there, as has all the media, and we

thought we might have some sway and we were really concerned and pete was very, very concerned about the women and children there in the refuge so this was at a separate location from the other incident, and what do you know about the arrests of amon and ryanbundy as well as the death of lavoy finicum >> we have an eyewitness account of a young lady who was there in the car with ryan bundy and lavoy finicum. she was in the car with him, lavoy finicum. she said they were ambushed, that they came to a blockade and they were stopped. ryan bundy leaned out the window with his hands up and they shot at him and missed immediately. so the f.b.i. did fire first. there were snipers in the trees and they were completed surrounded. then ryan wanted to exit the

vehicle to talk to them and he got out of the vehicle and was apprehended immediately and they began shooting at the cars again, spraying, and lavoy finicum, who had a teenage girl in the back seat and another woman in the back seat, and ryan bundy, he tried to move the car forward and they began shooting and to save the people's lives in the car, lavoy got out of the car with his hands raised and said if you're going to shoot somebody, shoot me. what are you waiting for? if that's what you guys want to do and they shot him dead. they shot him multiple times. he fell to the ground and they came over and shot him again if that's the case why do you think the f.b.i. decided to do this last night? >> i had no idea why the f.b.i. does what it does. we have been covering the story. i know multiple times ammon

bundy have approached the f.b.i. and asked for their consideration. he has also tried to ask for the consideration of the sheriff of this town and he was shut out and they said we're not going to have any kind of communication with you any more. there's one choice and one choice only and that is to leave thanks for taking the time to talk with us. we appreciate it >> you're welcome. thank you now no ferguson missouri where officials have announced an agreement on over hauling the city's justice system. the review of the police there and courts there was prompted by the shooting death of michael brown in 2014. the deal seeks to end unlawful arrests and safeguard residents' civil rights. our correspondent is in chicago with more. >> reporter: ferguson needed to get this agreement in place or risk being sued by the department of justice, and that potentially could have resulted in millions of dollars in fines.

now, this is a community that has been under fire for the past 17 months for the way it treats african-americans in its community, for the way it handled the michael brown shooting and the way it handled protesters in the aftermath of the shooting. some of the highlights of the agreement include expanded use of body cameras. that means that all police and jailors who come into contact with the public must wear a body camera. enhanced police training. police must document the use of force and only use it when necessary and improve court services and that includes an online mechanism for paying fines. the city of ferguson said it work very hard to get this in place. it released a statement saying as in all negotiation neither side received everything they requested and both sides made concessions in order to reach an agreement. over the next month or so the city will be holding a series of

community meetings so the public can weigh in on this agreement once the city signs this deal, is it done? >> it's not a done deal yet. there has to be a fairness hearing before the judge and again the community can weigh in on that. the judge can accept the agreement in its entirety or only parts of it what are you hearing from the community? >> we talked some activists this afternoon and they said they want the agreement signed, they want the community to be on board. this has abeen a nightmare for them and they want it finished in flint, michigan, water response teams are going door to door handing bottled water. the governor outlined some of thinks plans >> there are a number of steps we're taking, but this is just the beginning >> reporter: more than 20 days

after activating the national guard, rick snyder has named a field of experts to over see a long-term fix. among the 17 people selected a virginia tech professor and a pediatrician who helped uncover the problem. >> i'm focusing on the issue here. we're going to draets this problem. i'm committed to do that >> reporter: during a conference, the governor said that the short-term goal is to recoat surface pipes that are leaching led. there is also a request to the federal government to expand medicaid health care to the young who may have been exposed to contamination, and financial relief is now on the way to the thousands paying for water that they can't use. >> i have told the governor snyder that flint residents should not have to pay for water

they did not and are not using. >> reporter: the state is also facing more pressure over the crisis. the american civil liberties unions and others are asking the federal court to intervene and order immediate replacement of all led pipes in the city's water system. >> what happened to my family, what my children will go through for the rest of their lives should not have happened. it should not happen to anyone else. the pain my kids feel should never be felt by another child or duty or senior citizen in this state >> reporter: do you think this has a place? >> 56% african american, 30% white and 20% latino. >> reporter: we spoke to reverend jesse jackson who described the city of flint as a

disaster zone. what is your take on the state's response to in disaster? >> it's typical. it's a cover up. because now there's light on and everyone is running for a hole. >> reporter: governor snyder has apolicied jid but d-- apologised. it is unclear how long it will be lasting. with no end in sight the uncertainty weighs heavily on the people there coming up on this broadcast, defeating i.s.i.l. in libya, how the u.s. military could approach this dangerous mission while keeping its presence in other hot spots across the middle east. 30 years after the challenger disaster, a new effort to send teachers into space. the only way to get better is to challenge yourself,

and that's what we're doing at xfinity. we are challenging ourselves to improve every aspect of your experience. and this includes our commitment to being on time. every time. that's why if we're ever late for an appointment, we'll credit your account $20. it's our promise to you. we're doing everything we can to give you the best experience possible. because we should fit into your life. not the other way around.

u.s. military says it could take the fight against i.s.i.l. into libya. joint chiefs chairman joseph dunford says action is needed in libya where two rival governments are video viing for power. >> reporter: pentagon sources say the u.s. is already flying more spy planes over libya and has had special operations forces on the ground as it attempts to beef up its intelligence about where i.s.i.l. is operating. it all appears to be a prelude to a step-up bombing campaign and putting some u.s. combat boots on the ground.

a major oil terminal burns on libya's northern coast. the result of an i.s.i.l. attack last week, one of a series of recent assaults on libya's oil infrastructure. >> translation: in a video released by i.s.i.l. a fighter vows more attacks on more libyan oil fields in the coming days. it's just one sign of i.s.i.l.'s growing strength in libya. by one estimate the group now controls a 150 million stretch of coastline, an oil rich part of libya. the spread of i.s.i.l. in libya has kicked u.s. military planning into high greer >> we're looking at military option-- gear. a range of other options as a government, that we with engage in to try and - as the situation in libya unfolds, we want to be prepared as the department of defense always wants to be prepared in the event that

i.s.i.l. in libya becomes more of a threat than it is even today. >> reporter: sources say the options include air strikes from a u.s. aircraft carrier in the sea or nato bases in nurp. they-- europe. they would include raids as such in the operation in 2014 that nabbed the suspect in the attack that left four americans dead. the u.s. for forced on acknowledge that forces were north-west last month. the forces posted their picture on facebook. the american commandos left. they're being ordered off the air base by local forces. it was the pentagon part of an effort to find local fighters in libya the u.s. can support, much like similar efforts in syria and iraq >> there was a small group there

to meet a diverse range of groups to get a better sense of what's happening on the ground >> reporter: the u.s. chief meeting with allies last week indicated a decision on expanding the fight against i.s.i.l. into libya will probably come in weeks. it is fair to say we're looking they say: >> reporter: he told reporters travelling with him in paris. the idea is to build a fire wall of sorts against i.s.i.l. to keep it contained. right now there is no functioning government in libya and that makes a military strategy based on that political process cited by the general problematic at best thank you for that. secretary of state john kerry is in china. he met with the president and held talks with the foreign minister. high on the agenda was calming

tensions. washington is pushing for a u.n. resolution in light of the most recent nuclear test >> we look forward to work with china, which china agreed today to do, to engage in an accelerated efforts at the united nations, instructing both of our representatives, to work together to try to achieve an understanding about the strong resolution that introduces significant new measures to curtail north korea's ability to advance its prescribed nuclear and ballistic missile programs the u.s. and china disagree on whether or not to impose new sanctions on north korea. coming up next, presidential candidate carly fiorina, her opposition to planned parenthood and her connection to a pharmaceutical company making vaccines from foetal stem cells.

president obama met with bernie sanders today. he arrived at the white house for the meeting this morning and the two democrats talked for about 45 minutes on a range of topics >> we discussed a number of issues, foreign policy issues, this morning, domestic issues, occasionally a little bit of politics. but i enjoyed the meeting and i thought it was a very positive and constructive meeting the white house said bernie sanders asked for the meeting.

president obama has not endorsed a candidate in the democratic race. it is less than a week until the iowa awe can you sayes appeared the democrat-- caucuses. we have justin long here. he is campaigning for bernie sanders. welcome. good to see you. why did you decide to campaign for bernie sanders? >> well, i cam pained four years ago for obama and in 2008 and 2012, actually, and i've never been so taken by a politician. i've never had my views so closely aligned with a politician's. i've never known a politician to be so decent and upstanding, to the point where i'm actually suppliesd he's a politician. it's sort of shocking are there particular issues that turn you on when it comes to bernie sanders? >> i think the big one for me is

the environment and when he came out and said it posed - it was the biggest threat to our national security, i think that was a turning point for me. that's when i really got on board and started paying close attention to what he was saying. i do a lot of work with a group called mote, a marine research center, and they're trying to basically grow the coral reefs back. there has been a huge loss of reefs because of the ocean acidification and warming of wars. he seems to be the one candidate taking it as seriously as people need to take it, but economically, the growth of the middle-class, the fact that we really need to change citizens united, and take the election away from billionaires and corporations what do his supporters tell you about bernie sanders? you've been spending some time with folks who are big

supporters of bernie sanders. what do they say about him? >> well, i mean, they have come from all walks of life. they're all different ages, backgrounds. it's pretty inspiring to see all the young people here who have given up, in some cases, lucrative jobs right out of college to join this grass roots push. they say about him personally that he is what you would expect. he is very kind of down to earth, very honest. he has very few frills. he doesn't dress up in many ways. there's just something very authentic about him and he cares. he is tremendously passionate you say you supported obama in the last two elections. if he doesn't get the nomination, can you support hillary clinton? >> i would rather not go there

quite yet. it feels like it might be jinxing things, but we did talk to a lot of her supporters today as well. we talked to some republican kids and whose parents are republicans. the message that today in the past few days here in iowa, that we've been trying to get out, it is just awareness of the caucus thank you very much for talking with us tonight. we appreciate it. >> thanks john. i would like to point out that ben and jerry are right behind me. they're long-time bernie sanders friends. it could be a random guy we will look for bernie sanders and ben and jerry. thanks. >> thank you republican presidential carly fiorina has been a vocal critic of planned parenthood and

of abortion. we have learned that carly fiorina has tries to a drug company that was using stem cell lines from aborted foetuses. >> reporter: corporate documents reviewed by inside story show that republican presidential candidate carly fiorina sat on the board of the drug company bhchlt irk at a time when it was producing marketing and researching vaccines utilising a line of stem cells from aborted foetuses. this has emerge in the primary race as part of the larger debate around abortion of the all of the g.o.p. candidates oppose abortion, but some also oppose any use of tissue from aborted foetuses, including the use of foetal stem cells and vaccines. even though the efoetuses were not aborted for the purpose of harvesting their cells. ted cruz last year participated in the ice bucket challenge to

raise money for the als association. >> all right. let's go. >> reporter: but after learning they helped fund stem cell research he and his wife switched their support elsewhere, explaining in a statement: her opposition to abortion fuelled a strong surge in the polls last fall after she claimed to have witnessed a video in which medical personnel discussed harvesting organic material from a foetus >> as regards to planned parenthood, anyone who has watched this videotape, i dare hillary clinton, obama, to watch these tapes. watch a fully formed foetus on the table. its heart beating, its legs

kicking while somebody said we have to keep it alive to harvest this brain. this is about the character of awe nation >> reporter: at the time carly fiorina for foetal stem cell research was a matter of public record having come up during her 2010 senate run in california. it now appears that she did not merely support the practice but also made money off of it. she took home at least $83,000 for serving on the mirk board according to files reviewed by inside story. they indicate she made an additional $1200 for each board meeting she attended. she has used foetal-- mirk has used foetal stem cells since 1960s. they're used in their m mr and m mrv vaccines. they are the only these els-- measles, mumps and rubella vaccines in the u.s. available.

carly fiorina second and last year on the board. it's revenue rrting does not indicate how much was due to sales of specific vaccines. at least one evangelical christian group made the company aware of its descent. one company told inside story that it asked the company to discontinue these vaccines in march of 2000. a letter dated november of 2000 was provided to al jazeera saying:

>> reporter: the executive director of children of god for life says carly fiorina may not have been aware of foetal cell use at the time, but continued support for that type of research and use could be a problematic for a presidential candidate >> if she is pro live and against planned parenthood, she would not want to be on the board of a company that was doing that >> reporter: the anti abortion rights organization says ben carson lost its support when they found out that he was involved in research. >> to not use the tish that is in the tissue bank, regardless of where it comes from, would be foolish. why would anybody not do that? >> reporter: at the time rival candidate rick zantorum said regardless of the cells origins, supporting their use in vaccines could make abortion a more acceptable option to women >> one of the things that you

saw in the tapes what was that a lot of women are told, if you have an abortion, the good things are going to come from it. we will be able to use this tissue for a lot of reasons. so it is used in some cases to make women feel comfortable about having an abortion >> reporter: carly fiorina continues to make abortion a signature issue for her campaign. on friday she appeared at a march for life rally in washington >> the next president of the u.s. will have a lot to say about whether a baby only a month, only april month from being born, is only as good as the organs you can sell from it. i have battled breast cancer, i have buried a child, i have read the bible, i know the value of life. >> reporter: two days before that she held a rally and invited preschoolers to sit near her while discussing the importance of protecting life in the womb. she left mirk 15 years ago but still holds stock in the company valued between 50 and $100,000

according to her latest campaign disclosure forms mirk confirmed that her 10-year term on its board but could not comment on other issues. her campaign did not respond to the request for comment. coming up next on the broadcast, the new push to send teachers into space.

the federal trade commission has sued a university, accuses the school of misleading prospective students about jobs. 90% of graduates found jobs they say and that graduates earned 15% more from those of other schools. the commission says both claims were false and unsubstantiated. 30 years ago tomorrow space shuttle challenger exploded shortly after lift off carefuling you all seven crew members. one death ended n.a.s.a.'s effort to put teachers in case. >> reporter: three, two, one, and lift off. >> reporter: when the challenger was last 30 years ago

>> my god. there has been an explosion >> reporter: so were the hopes of a generation of future explorers >> you never gave up on the dream >> no. >> i'm still going. i'm still feeling like i need to get into space. >> reporter: you still hope to get into space. >> right. i do. i'm getting old here, but it still could happen >> do you see the icon for the balloon? >> reporter: he was one of thousands who applied for a seat on the challenger. as part of a bold new idea to launch students' imaginations but putting teachers in space >> it's not off that a teacher is lost for the words. >> reporter: for the first >> if a teacher can do it why can't i? >> reporter: the idea largely disappeared after that january day in 1986. >> that ended that program, that it was seen as not worth the

risk, that it was meant to inspire people, not to upset them. >> reporter: now new hope. a state-of-the-art space craft. with private companies trying to go beyond our planet, this woman says it's a new opportunity. she leads a nonprofit called teachers in spake started in 2006 to continue the original challenger mission >> the goal is to really put space into the hands of teachers so that they can share that with kids. so we want students to be excited about space careers and to see space careers as real and attainable. >> so this connecter, right, connects to these >> reporter: they do that with lessons and sperpts to encourage students to pursue science and technology >> once released this balloon will go 60,000 feet into the air. it's more than just a fun science experiment. it is a chance to inspire kids to reach for the stars. >> reporter: the main focus, even though he still trains and

hopes to launch, he knows his true legacy will be his students >> so when you grow up what do you want to be? >> an ass astronaut. >> reporter: why? >> i i like space and i want to learn more about moons and how far it is where i am right now >> reporter: do you think it will be in some water? >> i don't think so >> reporter: she is only 11 and leading the experiment to see if moss can grow in the stratoshere >> if you want to do something, keep at it and don't let anybody or anything slow you down. >> reporter: your teacher inspired you to say that? >> yes. i think he is the inspiration. >> good morning. >> reporter: all these decades later, the true goal still stands >> i'm going to be taking you through a field trip

>> reporter: too keep reaching higher. >> three, two, one. >> reporter: even if you never leave the grounds. jonathan betts > we have a former astronaut with us. she was a high school science teacher when she was selected by n.a.s.a. welcome. it's good to have you on will program. let me just start by asking you, i mean, how long did the take the country to get over the tragedy and what does the country need to move forward? >> i'm not sure that we ever got over what we watched that day, but it didn't deter us from going forward. so that day many students across the country remember where they were. i was a 10-year-old, i know where i was, and i went home that evening and had a really

serious conversation with my mum about death and i had lost my grandmother almost two years earlier, and what it means to be pursuing what you love, to be pursuing your dreams, and why it's worth always having that courage. so i think that's where america went forward. it took n.a.s.a. a while to understand what had happened to the shuttle and to then get ready to return to flight, and thankfully her back up became an astronaut later. she paved the way for us to become teachers that are then astronauts tell us what it means for the space country in this country >> absolutely. teachers are the bridge between the community and the professionals.

peachers have rigorous backgrounds. we have studied science and then we are able to communicate it to young minds. we know how minds are growing because of our background in education, and students connect with this. they see us in the classroom every day. they know who we are. they know what a teacher looks like, and so they make that real connection with us and so to have us astronauts, it allows them to dream big, is the questions, not to feel intimidated, and to know that what they are learning in their classroom is important and it will prepare them does it inspire those careers in students. is that what you see? >> yes. absolutely. it has been great when i was a high school teacher no inspire kids within my own classroom, but then to take it to a new level when i became an astronaut

and to reach into classrooms and to reach across the country what do the children say? >> first of all, they are excited. they see space as more available to them, and that's great because, as we know, we have seen space becoming more available through our commercial partners out there. so kids are excited, they're interested. the science fiction is almost becoming science facts. so watching movies like the martian, it is inspiring because they see this as able to happen thanks for all you've done to inspire children and adults in the work that you've done and as you continue to do it. thanks very much. >> thank you coming up next, the oscar nominated documentary about one man's struggle to document the

holocaust on film. i talk to the director. >> you have to find common ground. >> i'm doing what's right for you. >> that's the kind of debate that we need to have. >> stay with al jazeera america for... >> it's going to be about getting people out to the caucus, which is not an easy thing to do. >> comprehensive coverage that's... >> the focus will be on south carolina tonight.

today is the international holocaust remembrance day. we look at claud alanceman. it took him 12 years to make the nine and a half hour film. now that gruling process is, itself, the subject of an

oscar-nominated documentary. take a look. [speaking in foreign language] the film's director is with us. welcome. >> hello where did you get the idea for this film? >> well, i had been doing research for a book around 2011 and i came across him and his story and it was really just a total shock to me that there hadn't been a film about this person and what a singular vision he had.

it took him 12 years. it nearly broke imin every way imaginable and the finished artefact that he produced, the film, completely changed the world's understanding of what the holocaust was can you explain what drove him? >> i think that he was driven fundamentally by this idea that people don't understand. they understand in a very broad sense six million jewish people were killed, but they don't really understand what that means. they don't understand the detail. they don't understand the abject horror. he says he was discovering for himself this information and it was very difficult for him to deal with. he had to in a way make himself emotionally closed and focus on the task at hand. especially when you consider that he himself is a jew. he was a jew living in france during the second world war. he was at risk. so for him to sit opposite former ss officers and to pretend to be friendly with them and say "i understand.

i'm not judging you", and to have them think they were just talking to a researcher doing an academic paper when actually he had a hidden camera and he was getting their testimony, it required a lot of restraint from him. i think that's what you see in my film. you see the portrait of a deeply saddened individual who was marked and changed by the process of doing this work he broke ethical boundaries for journal >>s, he paid for interviews, faked documents to get access to former army guards, and it is one of the strongest poo pieces of journalism i can imagine. what do you think that says about his piece of work? >> it's very interesting. i think it was an extreme circumstance. the first thing to note is that he did try beforehand all of the legitimate channels to get interviews with former ss officers, they wouldn't entertain the idea of sitting and talking with the film maker.

so he had to finds an alternatively way of talking to them. if he hadn't have done that, we wouldn't know some of the things that we do know now about the death camps in poland. it didn't fit with the normal journalist borders. you're talking about officers pulling gold teeth from jews he was nearly beaten to death after one interview >> yes. his hidden camera was discovered and he was forced to flee with his assistant. he was severely beaten. he spent a month in hospital and he doesn't think that that section of the film reflects particularly well on him because it was a real low point and he and his assistant were severely beaten, but i think when you see it, you are filled with a sense of add mirror registration for-- admiration for him because many would have called it in at that

stage what is it like to be nominated for an oscar now? >> it is a little bit strange, but it is wonderful. i'm still processing it. it wasn't that long ago that they announced the nominees, and i'm pleased for him. his master piece, which is now widely considered to be, perhaps, the greatest documentary ever made, was never nominated for an academy award, so the fact that he will be able to come with me and plans to come with me no the oscars on february 28, that he will have his moment at the age of 90 to walk down the red carpet alongside the other greats of the world, i am very pleased that he will have that opportunity and that moment in the spotlight thanks for talking with us. >> thanks john his film premiers on hbo monday, may 2. that's the broadcast.

thank you for watching. i'm john seigenthaler. ali velshi is next i'm ali velshi. on target tonight. countering i.s.i.l. how did they get so powerful so fast and what can america do to protect its people from their threat you know that a small but steady stream of muslims are hell-bent on attacking america. the san bernadino shooting was perpetrated by americans