Chicago Tribune writer and WGN Radio host, Rick Kogan, called this film, “One of the most remarkable pieces of work I’ve ever seen”, after Phil created the only comprehensive record of Chicago’s - over-100 year old - Maxwell Street market — a history that otherwise would have been lost, had it not been for Ranstrom’s commitment to preserving it’s legacy when he came upon Maxwell Street, just as it was about to be destroyed in 1994. Realizing that it was now or never, Phil Ranstrom immersed himself into this project. More than ten year later, he debuted his two-hour opus to a sold-out crowd at the 2007 Chicago International Documentary Festival. The following year, a 90 minute version of CHEAT YOU FAIR was shown at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, along with its companion film, ELECTRIFIED, and the DVD continues to sell, worldwide, today. Phil was the first independent documentary maker to distribute his own DVDs in 29 Best Buy stores in the Chicago area and he handles all of his marketing and distribution.

Critical acclaim is nothing new. THE COCAINE EXPRESS, his first documentary out of college, is a half-hour look into South America’s illegal drug trade and was nominated for a Chicago Emmy Award for Best Investigative Report. Using only B&W still photographs and the narration of two Chicago Sun-Times journalists who first covered this story in print, it was heralded for its innovation. Then, Chicago media critic, Gary Deeb, wrote in his review: “Ranstrom has created a new television form where journalists and producers can collaborate on important stories that normally wouldn’t get shown.”

Phil has written dozens of articles, scripts and poems, and continues to create original, groundbreaking work. His latest documentary, PIEROGI BLUES, is a tribute to the Chicago blues and how it traveled from Chicago to London to Poland, where it thrives today. Ranstrom also studied improvisational acting under the legendary, Del Close, at Chicago Second City Theater. He's appeared in major motion pictures such as Dr. Detroit, The Naked Face and Excessive Force, performing in small roles and stunts. Phil is also a 9-time national & regional amateur kickboxing champion with black belts in two martial arts systems and enjoys fitness & cross training today.