Thanks, Joel,
I’ll be there for the “Bounce” screening.
- Bill
On Nov 8, 2015, at 2:58 PM, Joel Johnson <joel_johnson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
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>
[mailto:cinemaexp-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:cinemaexp-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>] On Behalf Of Clif Graves
Sent: Friday, November 06, 2015 6:51 PM
To: cinemaexp@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <mailto: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
