[Oe List ...] Man on Fire

Fri Dec 21 14:23:30 PST 2018

I was struck by the town of Grand Saline, the old buildings, the desolate space.  I have only seen places like that in the movies.  I remember the black folks who lived elsewhere talking about their fear of the people in Grand Saline.  
Joan Knutson

-----Original Message-----
From: Randy Williams via OE <oe at lists.wedgeblade.net>
To: Order Ecumenical Community <oe at lists.wedgeblade.net>
Cc: Randy Williams <randycw1938 at gmail.com>
Sent: Fri, Dec 21, 2018 2:58 pm
Subject: Re: [Oe List ...] Man on Fire

I grew up in East Texas, and just 6 years ago lived on a little lake outside Mineola, just up the road from Grand Saline. I drove directly past the spot where Charles did this every time I would go to or from DFW airport. I think the depiction of Grand Saline was mostly accurate and typical of many East Texas towns. The thing about the video that stays in my mind is, I don't recall a single scene where black folks and white folks were together. The schools are integrated, but in most of the small towns like Grand Saline, there are no African Americans in the local population. My guess is that most of the local people who were interviewed in the movie had never been too far from East Texas.
Randy
On Fri, Dec 21, 2018 at 3:40 PM James Wiegel via OE <oe at lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:

The comment about Bonhoeffer at the beginning, the red gas can, the close up where he poured the gasoline over his head, Guy's comments about his father

Jim Wiegel401 North Beverly Way, Tolleson, Arizona 85353Tel. 011-623-936-8671 or 011-623-363-3277jfwiegel at yahoo.comwww.partnersinparticipation.com
When a great ship is in harbor and moored, it is safe, there can be no doubt.  "But that is not what great ships are built for."   Clarissa Pinkola Estes
On Dec 21, 2018, at 14:32, Jann McGuire via OE <oe at lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:

The scenes that stay with me are in the store in Grand Saline where the four men in front play dominos and the owner collects hats and pictures of deceased towns men on a shelf in the back. I have a lot more to say, but will honor the art form method.
Jann McGuire
On Fri, Dec 21, 2018 at 11:50 AM Margaret Aiseayew via OE <oe at lists.wedgeblade.net> wrote:

Several scenes deeply impacted me.  I was blown away by what seemed to be obvious still existent racism in the newspaper editor and the chamber of commerce sort of representative.  It was as if you could see their blinders thickening as they declared their justifications.  There were many more.  The last scenes of the pep rally tore me apart.  Seeing the fire so clearly as the flag bearers were twirling.  It felt so lonely, to feel like the only person behind the flag seeing through.Margaret From: OE [.wedgeblade.net] On Behalf Of W. J. via OE
Sent: Friday, December 21, 2018 8:42 AM
To: Order Ecumenical Community
Cc: W. J.
Subject: [Oe List ...] Man on Fire Obviously, it's the 'wrong' time of year, when PBS could slip in something totally 'out of character' with the holiday season without much fanfare or public response.But for those of us who knew and respected Charles as a colleague and friend, this film was hard to miss. And very hard to see. At least for me.I am struck by the absence of any reference to the film here, let alone commentary.So let's have a movie conversation! Starting with, "What scene in the film stayed with you?"Your turn, folks.And on top of this tragedy, try to have a very Merry Christmas! If you can. With a long government shutdown about to happen. Too bad we can't shut down Mr. Trump and his Twitter feed.MarshallYou can view 'Man on Fire' here for free on-line through January 1:Man on Fire | Independent LensHerewith, in case you missed it, is the
DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT
On one level, “Man on Fire” is an investigation into the human spirit. As Charles Moore said in his “suicide” letter, “Our human race is impressed most of all with innocent suffering, and is moved significantly by little else. It isn’t important that I be remembered, but that someone cared enough to give up everything for the sake of others.” These words hold truth for us as a society, yet I, and others, question why someone chose this extreme measure to get our attention. I believe everyone has a piece of Moore in them, whether they are aware of it or not. This yearning to do more, to help others, to sacrifice for the larger good, compels our humanity. So when someone like Moore comes around, at least on the surface, we find ourselves awestruck, riddled with contradicting emotions. On one hand, we see the goodness in Moore, the love of humanity that compelled his actions; yet, on the other hand, the pain of his death overwhelms us too. This complexity was compounded with questions that others were asking in and around Grand Saline: Why did he do it? Is racism still in Grand Saline? Did he actually change anything? These questions were the seeds we planted, and through the process of filming, nurtured, in order to give some semblance of resolve for such an extreme act. Unfortunately (but also quite naturally), the answers to these questions are not so “black and white.” Thus, I hope this film inspires others to also ask these questions and sparks a real conversation on Moore’s death and the reality of racism. Inevitably, some people will write off Moore as crazy, using facts such as “we got a black president” (a quote from the film) to claim that racism doesn‘t exist anymore. However, I believe the answers are more complicated than that. “Man on Fire” uses Moore’s self-immolation as a vehicle to explore this small, mostly white town known for its racism. Moore’s death thus becomes the means to scratch beneath the surface of Grand Saline. The film captures the reality of small town Texas, illustrating Friday night football games, rodeos, homecoming parades, skating rinks, flea market sales, local businesses, and more. Nonetheless, the town of Grand Saline is just a microcosm for the rural south and inevitably America as a whole.Joel Fendelman, Director of “Man on Fire”
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Man on Fire | Independent Lens
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