On Apr 18, 2012, at 9:57 AM, Ian . wrote: > JFK was certainly compelling, but I would argue that is only because he is > inserting a fantasy into a historical event in a clever enough way to sell > the audience that the fantasy actually happened. I loose repect for him > because he does not appear to care who he hurts in the process of advancing > his career. I was working at the NY State Senate at the time 4th of July was > released, and the portrayal of the Syracuse police mercilessly beating war > protesters (this never happened) tarnished their reputations and caused > enought grief among them that a large group came to the legislature to meet > with their representative and ask what could be done to set the record > straight. Unfortunatley all we could do was pass a resolution and get a > small amount of press attention on the subject. The damage had already been > done. >
Well, you get into some murk with JFK. You can't say "none of that happened," because he wasn't basing his film on some specific, objective history of the slain President, but rather chronicling Jim Garrison, New Orleans's District Attorney's investigation into Clay Shaw and others he suspected of being behind JFK's assassination. The thing here is that because he took that approach,and presented witness testimony as they gave it, and as if it happened, it gets into some very odd places for the viewer if you don't know that story before hand. The two Lee Harvey Oswald's theory (was presented in the film as if it happened, because a witness told Garrison that was how it was done) and if you don't make that connection, it starts to look like Stone is arguing that's how it went down. As I said, even with flaws, it's a compelling film. I stand 3000 miles from Syracuse, so from my perspective the "damage" was mild and short lived. I've seen enough police BS that goes unreported that in some cosmic way, things seem to balance out. I know from personal experience that there are a lot of heroes out there wearing police uniforms who risk life, health, and safety every day, but I also know it only takes one idiot or one bad event to trash all the good work they do for a long time. Look at that clown in Davis pepper spraying students. I will bet there were a half-doze guys on his own squad watching that going, "Really? Did you have to?" In any event, we're getting way off topic, which is about my stuff on TV, but remember: I am not a film maker and whatever happens happens. My only concern is paying for my kid's food and a roof over their head. "Artistic control" is an illusion. Best, R.E.F. ---- www.crydee.com Never attribute to malice what can satisfactorily be explained away by stupidity.
