What follows is a Dammaged message to the list from from william
jefferson. I think the list serve may deliver a repaired copy. To make
sure that his message didn't get lost here is the text. Bill, the issue
looks like it is resolved so future messages to the list should work as
expected.
Clif
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Hi All, Julie and I attended an afternoon screening of Peace Officer at
the Frontier Theatre/tavern/restaurant on Wednesday. Both the movie and
the venue - which Julie had visited before - get our = unequivocal yes
votes. I should add that, during a = long and very pleasant conversation
with the manager and his booker in = the aftermath, they both
enthusiastically recommended Bounce. They said that not only is it, as
the trailer suggests, a fun movie, = but that it also sold out most of
their screenings. Anyway, with regard to Peace Officer, I wont try to
suggest = that it isnt hard - though it mostly steers clear of
gratuitous = images - or that it is for everybody. But I would contend
that its = clarity and, especially, its relevance carry a vitality that
is both = powerful and gripping. I dont think it necessary to point to
yesterdays news = out of Oakland, since hardly a day goes by here in
Maine as elsewhere, = without an incident involving domestic violence,
followed by a = disproportionate - and often, as the film documents
copiously, more = deadly police reaction. I wont burden you with detail,
but I took copious notes and = will be happy to address any questions
you may have. My only complaint = is that the film starts off almost
immediately with video footage of the = incident, involving the primary
subjects ( Dub = Lawrence) son-in-law, that holds for several seconds on
a camera pause = screen, which made both of us think there must be a
problem in the = projection booth, until it began to play. Otherwise, it
is well edited = and engaging; Dub Lawrence is a compelling and complex
= character - not your usual talking head. Other expert = witnesses,
along with victims and officers, provide more than adequate =
perspective. Julie also felt disappointed that the filmmakers chose not
to directly = address the fact that many of the peace officers, both =
onscreen and off, are vets of American wars and almost certainly =
suffering from the kinds of trauma - which I will readily concur - might
= precipitate inappropriate reactions in potentially violent =
confrontations. My own feeling is that the issue is certainly available
= in this film, obliquely if not otherwise, for those perceptive enough
to = take it in, and that PTSD, while certainly part of the mix,
probably = deserves a movie of its own. Both Julie and I, like all of
you, I am certain, feel very strongly that = the current frequency and
ferocity of domestic violence incidence needs = addressing directly, and
in every forum available, and I believe this = film would provide a very
useful starting point. Obviously, the two of = us have lots of
experience in the two spheres that bump up against each = other in Peace
Officer" and in our culture, and wed be = happy to participate in any
sort of discussion following screening(s) if = you choose to include
this film. Meanwhile, Peace Officer continues through Sunday at = the
Frontier, located at Fort Andross, the former mill adjacent to the =
bridge from Brunswick to Topsham. Its a little hairy to get = into their
parking lot, which is behind the building, just before the = bridge as
you head toward Topsham (just past the bridge coming the other = way).
But its a very pleasant restaurant/theatre; the food is = good, theres a
full service bar, and you can take both food and = drinks into the
theatre, where there are pub style tables fronting comfy = seats. Im
embarrassed to say that I - who many years ago used = to pre-screen
films for the owner of the - not nearly as nice - = Eveningstar Cinema
just down Maine St., knew not of the Frontier. = Needless to say, Well
be back. On another front, Julie and I closed on her family farmhouse in
Buxton = yesterday and, anxious to discontinue paying for the storage
unit in = Oakland that Ive been maintaining, I contracted with movers
for = the soonest they could take my stuff. The only day they could fit
me in = is Monday, so I wont be able to make the next meeting. Sorry. -
Bill
