HOMO SUM, HUMANI NIHIL A ME ALIENUM PUTO.

Mudbound. It has been a long while since I have experienced a film of this power. Still trembling with rage at the vileness humanity is capable of. And at the supportive and enabling role the country I love has played in some of the most inexcusable and bleakest vileness.

Racism. Class. PTSD. Loveless marriage. A quadrilogy of undercurrents sliding Mudbound’s narratives along, with one standing above the others.

I think of the hypocrisies we have committed so many times in sending those of a class, those of a race off to war, to make us proud and lift the shining light of freedom up high…and upon return...yank a shroud, a social Faraday cage, a muzzle over them. Disposable heroes. The convenience of benefiting from heroism minus the inconvenience of having to acknowledge it.

Mudbound covers much ground in multiple voices as it slogs us through the farm of a post-WWII Mississippi farmstead and the two families who may live on the same land, but who live vastly different lives. Tragedy all around, with little moments of connection and tiny flickers of hope.
This is what I do not understand: I am a thinking person. And I am a feeling person. Maybe more so than some and less so than others. But a combination of those two things is what makes most of us human.

To see this film and the roots of human vileness and to realize A) this is fictional, but it is - and I concede no ground on this point - the attitudes and the actions taken are true to what have been documented as horrific reality. Reality. Again and again and again.

And the racism shown in this is brutal, bleak, and out in the open. But when I look at the roots of what drives that hatred, that ability to look at another person based on their skin color and see them not as a child of God - and therefore a brother or sister to yourself - then I have to think this. And then say it aloud:

Could this happen again?
Is this happening again?
What are the thoughts that lead to the attitudes that lead to the words that lead to the actions that lead us down this road the wrong way?

Again?

I want to be kind. And loving. And accepting.

I want to dialogue. I hold my right and privilege to converse with anyone, without agenda, as sacred.

When I look at the roads that lead us to some of those darkest places in our past, then I have to look at the mirror, gather those I care about close and am privileged to help raise and learn from,
and say to those in power, or those seeking power:

I will fight to keep those who wax nostalgic for those ‘simpler times,’
those who use euphemisms to minimize and shrug off the hard parts of the past,
those who who do not condemn others who are blatant and unapologetic in their racism,
those who gleefully, wink-wink and backslap their way around the language and nuances of the behaviors that LED to the roots of lynchings, Jim Crow, and a fascist and false Christianity…
to those fitting the above who are IN POWER OR SEEKING POWER, I oppose you. I have a tiny voice, but it can be shrill and occasionally harmonize with a choir. A choir without white robes or bedsheets on heads.

And if it’s within my power, I will do whatever small part I can to get you OUT of power, or prevent you from GAINING power.

I am speaking to those seeking power and control. I also believe in the capacity to change. I believe in redemption and trying to show a better way. And that is done, most frequently and most successfully, through relationships and dialogue, not guilt-mongering, public shaming, and feel-good callout memes. For ordinary people with no thirst for power or control, that is what I can give. Conversation, an ear, a good discussion and ideally open hearts.

But for those in power - and look. Look! There’s no need to name names to identify who they are. Look at their words and actions. Look at those who separate everything into completely binary worlds: Us versus Them. Evil versus Good. The idea that if you speak out against your leaders, you’re speaking out against your country, your armed forces, your allegiance as a citizen.

False. As a joyful citizen of this wonderful country in so many ways, I want it to be a world that is joyful for all. That is respectful to and for all. A world that is not slowly slipping down a muddy path where men with stained white sheets on their ridiculous fucking heads yank a black man out of bed in the dark of night and torture him brutally for looking at a white woman wrong.

Those ACTS don’t happen overnight. The roots to those acts are born in the hearts and minds of every person. And we either move forward and away from that. Or we go back. There is no standing still.

It’s a cliche, but let’s just ask this anyway. Not rhetorically. WWJD? What WOULD Jesus do?

Talk tax cuts and upping military spending with men in suits?
Or walk across a muddy field to share a meal with a farm family?

I don’t know. I can’t speak for him. Just like nobody else can. But what is consistent with what we know about him? How does the picture we are painted of Jesus match up with many of those in power?

Watch Mudbound. Netflix streaming. Maybe not with your young children yet. Not yet. Or do. The violent and false words of those in power are more disturbing to me for our children to hear than the the violent and true records of atrocities that have actually been committed. And are in danger of being committed with ever increasing frequency.

And remember. There is a time to be kind. And there is a time to stand up and fight. They are both powerful tools - not weapons, tools - to use. So good luck on using them. See y’all around.

QUOTE : IS KILL BILL APPROPRIATE FOR SIX-YEAR OLDS?...WHO CAN SAY.

"Daddy, can I borrow your phone? I'm going to shoot a stop motion movie that's going to go on Netflix. I'm sorry to say, it's going to be very violent."

- anonymous
___

Also, this is the week we introduce our 9yo daughter to one of the greatest songs of all time.

#thunderstruck #persistence

VIDEO : America the Greaterer - A Film about Relationships, Time Travel, and the State of the World

Two years ago, in anticipation of certain unfolding events, I wrote and filmed an audience-less speech. It is called "Make American Greaterer." It is sort of like a combination of TED talk and State of the Union address.

The time feels right. If this post gets at least three likes, then I will share the speech tonight, publicly, for the first time.

Also, if it gets only one like, but that one like is Stephen Lundquist, then I will post. Let's make this viral, folks.

I'm not saying it's the greatest speech ever, but it just might be the best one you hear all week, possibly.

WILL THE FILM : hey dad, can I borrow your wallet?

Hello father,

I noticed that you haven't donated to our film project yet, so if you want to send me your credit card info, I can quietly make a substantial as-yet-to-be-determined pledge in your name. Would you prefer it be a three digit or a four digit number? (To the left of decimal point, obviously).

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/flyviewaerial/will-the-film

Actually, I think I have an iPhone shot of your card info, so I can go ahead and take care of it. Unless you want to do it yourself, which is fine, as long as it's in the next hour. I'll proceed on my own with your pledge if you haven't by 10pm.

Also, I have Uncle James's bank account info as well and will do the same. It's for the best, and thank you both so deeply.

As always, your trust in me is hilarious and adorable.

Love,

Me.

___

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/flyviewaerial/will-the-film

WILL THE FILM - FUNDRAISING!

This is a short film we're making, alongside my brother Jonny Long and his company, Fly View Aerial, and Portland filmmakers Dennis Mulyar and Ian Midura. We've been developing it for six months and are ready to move into production in September (next month!). Our Kickstarter campaign launched this morning; in the first eight hours we've had almost 100 backers pledging a total of over $3,500. Every little bit counts, even a dollar at a time. If you're able to contribute, support, share, etc., we would be so appreciative!

Kickstarter link: Will the Film

This little film with a big heart means a great deal to us and the surrounding Portland and Vancouver communities. We also know that it has the potential to reach and impact a much greater and global community, as this coming-of-age story* highlights one particular father-son relationship that has lots of laughs and a lot emotional heft, as they navigate their way through life playing basketball, fighting fires, and planning for the future.

Until the future changes suddenly.

(watch the video below for a synopsis, or jump to the text below)



"Will" is a short film based on real people and events. We've been developing it for the last six months and are moving into production in September of 2016. It is a humorous, thought-provoking, coming of age story about the often hilarious relationship between a determined boy and his charismatic, eccentric firefighter dad as they shoot hoops and argue about the future.

Until the future throws a curveball.

This little fictional film has a giant heart. It is based on the life of Gregg Roberts, a firefighter, father, friend, and coach to many. Gregg's big personality and stature, coupled with rambunctious humor and tender spirit, have influenced countless people in his wide-ranging circle, most notably his family, his firefighting comrades, and his friends.

In 2014, Gregg's life was taken tragically and suddenly. This tiny film is meant to shine a spotlight on one of the most important aspects of his life: his relationship with his family, specifically, one of his sons. Although based in reality and about a specific father and son, the themes are universal: the joy, tribulation, challenge, and fantastic reality of a parent and teenage child navigating life together, often in disagreement, always in love.

Through this campaign we are hoping to raise the funds needed to get this film done the right way. We want to honor the Roberts family and others who loved Gregg and love the Roberts family. It’s our hope that this little film with a big heart will bring laughter, joy, and thoughtful reflection to your lives.

We are passionate about this project and are confident in its ability to keep viewers entertained with the frequently comedic relationship between a dad and son, while also leaving the opportunity to be inspired, to think deeply about relationships, and to enthusiastically cherish every moment.

With a little over a month until principal production, we are primed to do this story and project justice with a long list of established creatives signed up to contribute their talents. In order to produce this at the quality it deserves, we need your backing and support.

Please consider helping us in whatever way you can to make this film a reality. We can't thank you enough!
____

*written by yours truly :)

VIDEO: SURRENDER (THIS IS FIVE).

THE CANOEIST (stop motion LEGO).

The kids and I made this this evening. It is about a brave canoeist who helps out a terrible RV driver.

...AND BEYOND, KERMIT!

We all have our blind spots as parents. I realised recently that our daughter is seven and has never seen Toy Story. Sometimes I just feel overwhelmed with all the opportunities I have thoughtlessly not provided for our children, like being able to to say "I watched the Toy Story trilogy when I was two."

As Orville Wright said when they flew to Bern to observe the Swiss manufacturing process : "time flies." Which, according to my understanding of quantum physics, it both does and doesn't do. But however it works, the time does travel quickly, and today it's Buzz Lightyear, tomorrow Indy Jones, and next week it's Van Damme marathon before their high school graduations. Time. Anyway, also makes me think of the best sequel I've seen this year: Muppets Most Wanted. Tina Fey inarguably turns in arguably one of the top one hundred performances I have ever seen of a Russian Gulag Commandant Played by a Woman Who Also Sings.

A gem. Seriously fun, ridiculously funny, and the best ongoing cameos of any film this year. Now, onto infinity!

TARANTINO LULLABYES.

Daddy?
he asked.
Shall we build some swords when we get home?

Yeah.
I said.
Have I ever told you about Hattori Hanzō?

Yep.
he said.
Who is he?

Well.
I said.
He's not really real, but his character is a Japanese sword maker in a film and he makes incredible swords that are like no other sword.

Oh.
he said.
What film is it called?

The name of the film.
I said, gliding through a green light.
Is Kill Bill. And the woman who uses the sword is called The Bride and is very acrobatic and dresses in yellow.

Oh.
he said.
Daddy?

Yes?
I asked.

Daddy,
he said calmly.
Will you please stop talking about the movie because I don't want you to give everything away about what happens.

Oh buddy.
I said.
Good call on the spoilers. You know what?

What?
he said.

How about,
I said.
How about we wait a long, long time for you to see it, so we can make sure that you have plenty of time to remember to forget anything I just gave away. Deal?

Yeah.
he said.
But I still want to watch Star Wars for my next birthday.

Well.
I said truthfully.
I'm confident that George Lucas is going to come before Quentin Tarantino in your cinematic education.

Oh.
he said.
Who's Clint Uhn-tear-uh-teen-oh?

Oh look!
I said, pointing out the window.
A deer!