Uncommon Vision

the reception honoring Griffin

2011-03-01T07:59:00.000-08:00

The showing on the 27th in Mansfield was part of a larger ceremony celebrating Mansfield's designation as a "literary landmark", one of only five in Texas. O Henry's (sp?) home is one of the others. Griffin is in good and elite company. The ceremony where the plaque was unveiled was at the Mansfield library. The fire marshal gave a head count of 328 while looking the other way (the capacity is supposed to be 250). He probably cut some slack because former first lady Laura Bush was part of the festivities. She brought a crowd as well as Secret Service and snipers on the roof. Don't know when Mansfield has seen more excitement. Their 2-person SWAT team was looking pretty edgy. My attempts to be blase went by the wayside early. Mrs. Bush has undeniable star power and considerable charm. She had me from the moment I realized she had actually watched the program. She even asked questions about Laura Crawford (Krueger) who worked with me as associate producer. Mrs. Bush wondered if this was the same Laura Crawford she knew from Houston. I told her it wasn't while thinking,"I can't believe she read the credits". She was equally gracious with the Griffin children, suggesting they take pictures together. I'll include some of the pictures later.

the jewel in the crown

2011-02-27T19:40:00.000-08:00

Today's showing in Mansfield ranks with the best I've had with "Uncommon Vision". The setting had so much to do with it. It was in the Farr Best Theater located on the Main Street of Mansfield. The theater is about 20 yards from where Griffin was hung in effigy some fifty years ago. Today the theater was full of people proud to claim Griffin as a role model and favorite son.
The Farr Best is an old theater in the best and classic sense. Griffin went to films here. One could look out in the audience and it's not hard to imagine a full house for a Saturday matinee. This was a Sunday matinee and happily we had a full house. A full house which included African Americans. For much of Griffin's life African Americans weren't allowed.
The projection was superb. The floor was sticky. Aren't they always in a theater. The Griffin family was there. People laughed in the right places (they love the Lyndon Johnson line in Texas) and clapped in the end. A good day and that doesn't count the dedication of Mansfield as a literary landmark by the American Library Association. I think John Howard would've smiled and maybe laughed.

the second leg

2011-02-26T08:50:00.000-08:00

Last night was the second leg of my so-called triple crown. The showing was at the Unitarian Church on Payne Street in Louisville. It's a beautiful place. The showing was in keeping with the mellow, hospitable surroundings. A receptive audience responded well to Griffin's message of compassion and embrace of all humans.
More later. On way to Fort Worth and my ride is here.

first leg of the triple crown

2011-02-24T14:34:00.000-08:00

There are three showings in the next four days and I'm dubbing them the triple crown of diversity. Today there was an afternoon showing at the Louisville Bar Association headquarters. It's part of their observation of Black History Month. It's an honor to be part of it.
When the screening began the audience numbered about 25. When the lights came up an hour later maybe 45-50 people were there. I commented that typically the audience shrinks the longer a show goes on. In the spirit of full disclosure there was an awards ceremony for students afterward so that might have had something to do with the growing crowd. I'll take them anyway they come.
Question of the day came from a young student asking what Griffin would've thought of Hiroshima and the arms race. I'm always reluctant to speak for a defenseless historical figure but I assured him that Griffin was against the arms race in the 50's, 60's and 70's. He may have written on Hiroshima but I have not read it.
Tomorrow night I'm with a Buddhist group here in Louisville.

an interesting link

2011-02-17T07:49:00.000-08:00

http://hbfimmigrants.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=social&action=display&thread=215

My friend Jennifer Branson directed me to this link about a young white student who attempted to duplicate a "Black Like Me" journey in 1998. I'd like to learn more about Joshua Solomon's experience.

last night in Columbus

2011-02-16T12:57:00.000-08:00

2/16/11- Enjoyable showing at the St. Martin des Porres Center in Columbus, OH. The Center offers a cross-section of programming to the Columbus community and I appreciated being invited back by Christina Butler, the director. I came up short in the q&a when asked what African American writers might have influenced Griffin. Beyond Dr. King I didn't have much to offer. I need to do my homework better as I'm sure there were several.
Finished in time for the start of the Ohio State game (vs. Michigan State). It's obvious this is a football town. All the news this morning was about Art Schlichter, the old OSU quarterback getting caught in another scam.

the Washington D.C. showing

2011-02-10T14:39:00.000-08:00

The showing in Washington Tuesday was a highlight of the Uncommon Vision barnstorming tour. Many highlights in one evening actually. The showing itself was held at the E Street Cinema. A good facility and a great crowd. I'm sorry for those who weren't able to get a seat. (I wish they could've come to Monday's screening at the library.) After the screening one of the event hosts, Congressman John Lewis, spoke briefly. Among other thoughts he stressed the importance of remembering the struggles of the civil rights era. To have this great man in attendance was very moving for me. He was patient and obliging with all of us who wanted pictures taken with him. Jessica Yellin of CNN conducted a Q & A which also was very enjoyable. Thankfully no hardball questions so I was able to hold up my end of the conversation. Some I couldn't answer, such as what Griffin's wife thought of his being on the road so much. I can give my best guess but that's about it. Questions from the audience were also lively- a mix of the technical from filmmakers, some politically oriented from others and then some on Griffin's spiritual dimensions. The primary host was the Faith and Politics Institute, www.faithandpolitics.org/ . They did a great job of gathering a stimulating mix of people and coordinating the event. Afterward we went to a reception at the Coco Salon and kept the stimulation going. And of course the event wouldn't have happened at all without the sponsorship of AT&T. Verizon can whisper sweet nothings all they want but I'm sticking with AT&T. Many thanks to Tanya Lombard.
So Mr. Griffin goes to Washington and I think he was well-received.

With Rep. John Lewis at the Washington showing

Jeffersonville and Washington, D.C.

2011-02-08T04:28:00.000-08:00

2/8/11, getting ready to go to Washington for a much-anticipated showing hosted by the Faith and Politics Institute. The program is tonight at the E Street Cinema.
Last night did a showing at the Jeffersonville (IN) public library. In that it was a snowy Monday night I had established 5 as a likely estimate for attendance. Always the optimist. Actually 3 hardy souls showed up. The library has a very nice media room. In the discussion afterward I was busted again for trying to pass off a modern-day monk from the Abbey of Gethsemani (Br. Paul Quenon) as a monk from the Abbey of Solesmes circa 1940's. Artistic license goes just so far in Indiana.

Martin Luther King Jr. celebration in Waverly Iowa

2011-01-16T19:34:00.000-08:00

1/16/11, Enjoyable showing tonight at Wartburg College in Waverly. Privileged to be invited here for their weeklong observation of Dr. King's birthday. It's cold, really cold but it's northern Iowa in the middle of the winter. What was I expecting?

January 12, 2011

2011-01-12T08:59:00.000-08:00

I enjoyed this blog entry about John Howard Griffin.
http://blog.beliefnet.com/jazztheologian/2011/01/one-of-my-heroes-john-howard-griffin.html

I'm getting ready to go to Waverly, Iowa for three days at Wartburg College. I'll show and discuss "Uncommon Vision" as part of their celebration of Martin Luther King. I showed "Soul Searching" there last year and look forward to my return.

going statewide tonight

2011-01-04T13:40:00.000-08:00

"Uncommon Vision" will be broadcast statewide in Kentucky tonight on our PBS affiliate KET. This station has been good to me through the years. I'm proud to have my latest work appear on their air at 9pm. It will be shown again at 10pm on KET2 the 17th of January.
Tonight the main competition would seem to be Arkansas vs. Ohio State in a bowl game. That's probably what I'll watch. I think John Howard would understand. I've seen "Uncommon Vision" a few times.

November 16, 2010- A rainy night in Cleveland

2010-11-18T10:45:00.000-08:00

The rain was coming down in buckets as I rode with Bob Toth to Ursuline College where the screening of "Uncommon Vision" was to take place on the 16th. The previous night Bob and his wife Mary Ellen had hosted a small gathering to screen the documentary at their home in Novelty, Ohio. Love that name! There were nine of us at that screening. In light of the weather I didn't expect much more than that number for this showing. However Clevelanders seem to be made of stern stuff when it comes to weather. A sizable number turned out. They were all a filmmaker could ask of an audience-- receptive and responsive. Many in the crowd were associated with the International Thomas Merton Society so much of the discussion afterward centered on the friendship between Griffin and Merton. There was a good discussion also with Pax Christi members regarding the roots of Griffin's pacifism. A fine trip made even better by a quick visit to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame earlier in the day.

The Fort Worth showing

2010-11-07T10:51:00.000-08:00

A belated summary of the 10/28 showing at Modern Museum of Fort Worth. In a nutshell it was a great evening. Really nothing was lacking. The facility was exquisite. A standing-room only crowd including the four Griffin children and Roberto Bonazzi (Griffin's literary executor without whom the project could not have happened) was gratifying. The screening was preceded by readings from "Black Like Me" presented by the Jubilee Theater group from Fort Worth. Bob Ray Sanders, the much-beloved columnist from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram introduced the film. He had had communication with Griffin in the late '60's and early '70's. Bob Ray's respect from Griffin and all he stood for was obvious. The audience responded well to "Uncommon Vision" and the q&a which followed was stimulating. The Griffin "kids" and Bonazzi fielded many questions providing unique insights. I believe John Howard would've been pleased.

First Homecoming 10/23/10

2010-10-25T14:12:00.000-07:00

John Howard Griffin had a homecoming of sorts on Saturday the 23rd. I showed the documentary to the community at the Abbey of Gethsemani. This is the monastery where Griffin's friend Thomas Merton lived. It is also where Griffin spent considerable time in the '60's and '70's working on Merton's biography.
Several of the monks in the audience knew Griffin. I'm happy to say they felt like "Uncommon Vision" caught much of the Griffin spirit. Another monk's father had fought on the same island in the South Pacific where Griffin received a blindness-inducing concussion.
I like to think Griffin would be glad to have his story told at the monastery for which he had such great affection. This Thursday the program will be shown in his hometown.

The showing at the Clifton Center in Louisville

2010-09-21T07:30:00.000-07:00

The 9/16/10 showing of "Uncommon Vision" at the Clifton Center was special on many levels. It was the first large public screening. I was doing it in association with Interfaith Paths to Peace. This is a group whose work I've long admired. I'm always hesitant to speak for someone else but I think John Howard Griffin would've approved of the choice. Being on 9/16 had special meaning as that is the birth date of Arthur Sievert, father of my wife and one of the finest gentlemen I've had the pleasure of knowing.
   The night seemed to go well and the audience (I'm guessing 150) responded in a positive fashion. The post-show discussion had great energy as well. The panelists (Markham French, Fr. James Conner and Fred Gross) brought great insight. Input from the audience was also good, including that from my old friend Gregory Chaney who scolded us at length for not being a more diverse audience. His general point was well-taken. The tone could use some fine-tuning.
   For me the highlight of the panel discussion was hearing Fr. James relate how Griffin had been nearly electrocuted while working in Merton's hermitage. What saved him was the rubber wheels on his wheelchair. I may have heard that story before but I had forgotten.
   The highlight of the evening was talking with people afterwards. The good wishes from friends were gratifying as was hearing from new acquaintances that they were moved and inspired by Griffin's life.