Million Miles

               “The Media” - When discussed on social media or from the Presidential podium the term sounds like a swear word. It is like hearing the word “bitch” in the context of the Westminster Dog Show vs hearing it shouted from a car after a near accident. The Presidential use definitely has more of the “shouted from a moving car” feel than the academic usage, but the primary issue with the way “the Media” is thrown around in political rhetoric is that it has no specific target, and the people who are most using it don’t seem to have an interest in defining it.

               It is easy to see why people using “the Media” as a pejorative would be resistant to defining who they mean, because by defining specific organizations, or (God forbid) actual people, you humanize the enemy. The issue shifts from being about broad and nebulous charges of media “bias” and ideological persecution and must focus more on specific ideas and people. It is easier to say that “CNN lies” than naming a specific report and anchor as a liar. Instead, the charge feels more generally “true” or “right, than specifically true.

               The sentiment being vocalized is not a critique, and it is not an invitation for discussion or communication, it is a stubborn and emotional declaration of “rightness”. The argumentation reflects this. One key example is the assertion of voter fraud in the election. Words like “systemic” and universal pleas of “everyone in New Hampshire knows” have been thrown around without any specific proof offered for one of the most serious scandals propagated by a sitting President in U.S. history. No details are needed, there is a feeling of persecution, so to validate that feeling conspiracies are created and issues purported whose intention is to justify feelings. Look at the “paid” protestors argument now being leveled against groups of citizens…based on what evidence?

               Instead, it is easier to demonize an entire industry, to categorize individuals as a collective that can be labeled, dismissed and attacked based primarily on subjective perception and emotion.

               The Oscars are this weekend, and I think this is a great time to engage our assumptions, and I would like to pull out one area of the Oscar Nominations as a great place to safely and constructively challenge ourselves; and that is in the list of Oscar Nominated Short Documentaries. Each of these will be available to stream this week.

               Although many would like to dismiss the hypocrisy of “Hollywood” I think that even in the midst of that suspicion we can afford an element of grace to a collection of short films that were largely made far from the siren song of celebrity. Furthermore, each of these films feature a specific and distinct voice. These films do not allow for the general dismissive claims of ideological persecution, they are grounded in the experiences and voices of their protagonists.

You may not agree with what is said, but you cannot deny the voice that is saying them and I think that is invaluable as we seek to move to constructive conversation and thought regarding issues that matter and have value. I think it is always good to humanize our thoughts and arguments.

With that in mind, I wanted to recommend some films that I think most directly challenged and expanded my empathy in the last year:

The White Helmets (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wj4ncIEDxw) - These are Syrians living in Aleppo who act as the first responders to bombings, air raids and attacks. They seek to help any people affected, even Syrian Government loyalists. This is a short documentary and incredibly moving. Beyond seeing these people risk their lives multiple times per day for strangers and even their enemies in certain cases, it is incredibly powerful to hear people yell “Allahu Akbar” in response to finding a baby in the midst of rubble; especially when that phrase has such a specific and different association in much of the media in the West. ***STREAMING ON NETFLIX***

Tower (https://vimeo.com/134988631) - In 1966 a sniper took a position in a tower on the University of Texas campus and opened fire. This film plays out in (almost) real-time through interviews and animations depicting the details of the day and the various people and victims involved. Surprisingly, the character who is minimized most is the shooter, instead the documentary focuses on the actions and thoughts of the victims and bystanders. This documentary exemplifies what it means to not focus our attention on the purveyors of these heinous acts of fear and destruction, but instead shows us what we can learn about ourselves and each other if we instead give our time to those who stood up and chose to act. ***SHOWING ON PBS “INDEPENDENT LENS” ON FEB 14TH, OR AVAILABLE FOR RENT***

Arrival (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFMo3UJ4B4g) - How do you communicate with someone (or something) that is completely “other” than you? This film grounds its speculation in science, but also humanity and comes up with a complete picture of what it means to be human. ***AVAILABLE IN THEATERS AND RENTAL***

The Fits (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfHnykLOjH4) - A girl comes of age in a Community Center where girls begin to experience seizure like “fits”. This film embraces its ambiguity but grounds itself in this girl’s experience. What the “fits” represent is up to interprataion, but don’t take its ambiguity as a sign it has nothing to say. ***STREAMING ON AMAZON PRIME***

Hockey Dad - I Need a Woman

(Maggie Rogers)

Bon Iver - Heavenly Father

Everyone knows that there are no good streaming options on Netflix, what this post pre-supposes is...maybe there are? (As usual I try to divide these into categories for easy reference)

I Feel Like I Don’t Have Time for a 2-Hour Movie, but Somehow Feel More Comfortable Watching 13 Hours of Television Spread Over a Few Days:

-Bloodline. People say this is a “slow-burn”, I tend to disagree, I think a whole lot happens in Season 1 and I just started Season 2 and think it is still pretty fantastic. One of the best finales in TV history.

-Peaky Blinders. This is quietly one of the best shows out there and Season 3 just dropped on Netflix. If you like Irish Crime Movies or The Godfather, I don’t see how you don’t love this. Get ready for subtitles if you don’t do well with accents.

I Want to Watch a 2+ Hour Film that is Shot in One Take and is also Really Good:

-Victoria. It is really filmed in one take and is pretty amazing. Beware! Subtitles!

I Want to Build My Indie Cred:

-They Look Like People. A well shot, and acted, examination of mental illness. Great companion piece with Take Shelter (which is not on Netflix).

I Want to Be Scared While I Laugh, or Laugh While I’m Scared:

-Housebound. A girl is put on house arrest, hilarity and scares ensue.

There’s No Way that Can Be as Good as People Say:

-Galaxy Quest. It is as good as people say. Watch it already.

Classic Film:

-Charade. They truly don’t make them like this anymore. It is a romantic mystery that uses its age to its advantage, it is a classic film that doesn’t feel old. Also, they can’t make em like this anymore because all the actors are dead.

Life is Stranger than Fiction:

-Finders Keepers. A man blind buys a smoker and finds a human foot in it. Hilarity and true honest to God feelings and profound musings on human nature ensue.

Hey It’s Jim Gaffigan! And a Really Interesting Film about Stanley Milgram’s Psychological Studies on Human Nature and Authority:

Experimenter. If you don’t know about Stanley Milgram, watch this before googling, then discuss. I would have stopped by the way...I think.

A Kids Film My 7-Year Old Would Be to Scared to Watch, but Your’s Might Not Be:

Hippo Campus - Suicide Saturday