Bill, thank you for your feedback on "PEACE OFFICER." Alice and I saw the
film on Saturday. We, too, found it to be a very important film about how
and why policing has changed. The reality is that these changes seem to have
made it much more dangerous even for law-abiding citizens. While we tend to
hear a lot about the racial component in police confrontations, the film
addresses this as an exacerbating factor that makes the changes in police
procedures even more volatile. All of the incidents specifically addressed
in the film involve white police officers and white civilians. I found Dub
Lawrence a very genial and trustworthy guide and a compelling investigator
of the incidents. I think people will learn a lot about these issues from
the film. The issues are, of course, very intense and there is very
disturbing footage of incidents in which people were killed. It is possible
that we could have some individuals who might respond in usual and
distressing ways. If we decide to include the film, we would need to be very
intentional and thoughtful in preparing our audience for what the film will
show and in how we handle the post-film discussion. Bill is correct that the
film didn't seem to be particularly interested in the military experience of
the police officers. While many retired military do seem to segue to police
careers, it was not always clear which of those involved in the specific
incidents had a military background or combat experience. The only time
military service was specifically included in the story was in telling about
one of the offender/victims of a police raid. Again this experience was not
cited in helping to explain his actions, though there was some
circumstantial evidence suggesting that it may have been a significant
factor in his mental health. He had lost a job with the IRS and his family
had helped him get a job at Wal-Mart. The reason police wanted to break in
and search his home was that they wanted to investigate him as a marijuana
dealer (he was growing a significant amount of marijuana, but without any
evidence that he sold it to others). Anyways a scenario in which he
suffered from PTSD from his military career which affected his work capacity
and for which he self-medicated with marijuana doesn't seem a major stretch.
In the face of a real home invasion and personal safety threat, his violent
behavior in response certainly could have been affected by his military
service. While military service and how that affects people certainly could
be part of the discussion, I think we may want to focus on the changes in
police procedures and how that intersects with our constitutional
protections and the presumption of innocence. Obviously, we have a lot to
discuss about including this film and how we choose to discuss it with our
audience. Any suggestions for possible resources for a discussion would be
helpful.
We will be showing "THE GOLDEN DREAM" on Monday at 10:00 am and then we
will show "BOUNCE: HOW THE BALL TAUGHT THE WORLD TO PLAY" on Wednesday
morning at 10:00 am followed by our regular meeting.
Hope to see you all there.
Joel
From: cinemaexp-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:cinemaexp-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]
On Behalf Of Clif Graves
Sent: Friday, November 06, 2015 6:51 PM
To: cinemaexp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [cinemaexp] Bill and Peace Officer
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
---------------------------------------------------
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
