Congratulations to 9500 Liberty for their win at the St. Louis International Film Festival: Best Documentary
From stltoday.com:
The prizewinners of the 18th annual St. Louis International Film festival were announced during the closing night party at the Moonrise Hotel on Sunday.
The audience-choice award winner was “Precious: Based on the Novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire.” The acclaimed film about an abused girl learning to read was also the audience choice at the Sundance and Toronto film festivals and seems assured of a slot in this year’s Oscar race.
But it was a close competition. By mere thousandths of a percentage point, “Precious” eked out a win over the Swiss/Italian romance “Marcello Marcello,” which was named best international film.
The award for best documentary went to “9500 Liberty,” which scrutinizes immigration policy and racial profiling.
An audience award is what it sounds like. It appears that 9500 Liberty was definitely running with the big dogs. Precious is doing quite well at the box office and can be seen at any theater.
“Precious” is not for everyone. I didn’t think it was especially great. But beyond that, it is flat-out horrid content-wise. I think a lot of people will be ambushed by it.
It’s primarily about sexual abuse of a child. You should understand that before you devote your money or time to it. If you’re looking for something more generally representative of black culture or urban life, this ain’t it.
It’s being promoted by two incest survivors (Oprah and Tyler Perry) who are very popular. I think that this film means something to them that it won’t mean to most of the rest of us.
So, be warned. I don’t expect happy endings but this film really put a crimp in my day.
Thanks for the heads up Rick. I don’t know anyone who has seen it. I do know it is all in the theaters and people are raving about it on TV.
This is great for Eric’s career, I wonder which community he will exploit next for his gain…
And exploit Manassas they have – just like Greg Letieq and Fernandez.
They are grabbing a few moments of fame, not caring how
much it hurts our community. Huge egos, small people.
Richard, you often sound as if you are not brainwashed, so you should see the film before making ad hoc attacks. The film actually HELPS our community a great deal. Until this film is seen widely, the surrounding region and most of the country will think of Greg Leteicq, Corey Stewart, and Mr. Fernandez when they think of Prince William County and Manassas. They will think of intolerance and extremism. The film shows the truth: that there were people with many different opinions, that we are not all like Greg Letiecq. It shows that not everyone in Help Save Manassas was as nutty or as hateful as Greg Letiecq, which alone is a service. And, it shows that the majority of the Board was against the Immigration Resolution.
The world needs to know that only a few people, not the whole county, engineered an unnecessary race war for political gain, seeking out attention on CNN and Fox and in the Washington Post in the hopes of becoming rising stars in the Republican party.
Ultimately, it means we don’t have to be ashamed of what happened. It could have happened anywhere there is an elected official wiling to pander exploit intolerance and pander to extremists.
Also, a lot of people don’t know that the Immigration Resolution was neutered and that our county is in compliance with the Constitution now. We certainly don’t deserve the reputation of trampling on civil rights and targeting minorities for political gain.
I agree with Witness Too. Congratulations to the filmmakers and crew for their hard work.
This is wonderful news, as it will help explain to the world what in the world went on here. Most of the world just has snippets, and those snippets aren’t so good.
Another congrats goes out to the Study Circles…more on that to be announced in the paper.
@Rick Bentley
I’ve heard it’s rather grueling. Some of the teachers on the NIFL (literacy) listserv were talking about whether to show it or not in the classroom. Quite a discussion on how that might affect adult students or how it might help.
And unfortunately, childhood sexual abuse and incest are far more rampant than our culture would like to admit.
I have not seen “Precious” yet but I am impressed that Rick went to see it. What made you decide to seek out that film Rick?
There is no reason “Precious” should be shown in any classroom … anyone who thinks so is just plain nuts.
I agree that incest is more common than many acknowledge – and especially – how do I say this – “amongst black people in America”? “In the African-American community”? (the latter phrase seems too pretentious to me). HOWEVER, the normal case of incest would be far less grotesque than the case at this film’s center. So, to me, the film loses general value when it pursues such an extreme case. A film about something less extreme would to me have more value in communicating something about incest or incest survivors.
The film is, and I assume this is true of the source material, overdone. It made Oprah and Tyler Perry cry – but I don’t recognize real people in it. And I do know some incest survivors. I know one woman who gave a eulogy at the funeral of the man who molested her.
I’ve talked to at least three black women whose mothers didn’t believe them when they told them they were molested – because “white people do that, not us”. It affected one, who I knew well, very deeply. STILL, I don’t see much realism or value in this particular movie.
It’s a case of hype on par with Oprah’s pet project from years ago “Beloved”, which was also about incest to some degree and which she drew a lot of people in to that probably didn’t enjoy a depressed, drab art piece.
I could describe the abuse and make you all sick but I hate spoiling films for others, and though it might be a favor to 90% of you there may be a few who would enjoy the film as art and appreciate watching it play out.
What made me seek it out? I see a lot of films, as does my wife. It looked interesting. And we heard some of the “hype”. It had its moments but it is not a particularly great film. I rated it a C+ walking out of the theatre, but on reflection I might grade it down from that.
And if you want a second opinion, my wife pretty much agrees with me about all that.
What’s good about it is that Monique plays a vicious nasty person well, though the character’s extremely overdone (caricature), and Mariah Carey is okay in her small part (she has pretty eyes). The scene near the end where the mother and daughter talk through some things has dramatic tension, though the details are too grotesque so it undercuts the whole story if you ask me. And the woman who plays the teacher at the girl’s school is very attractive IMO. The central performance, the girl playing “Precious”, was pretty ordinary if you ask me.
@Witness Too
I think the people who use the film in the classroom are those working with Adult Basic Education students who are in settings outside of what we would consider traditional. Many of the classes are in rehab-like settings. The student population is pretty rough.
Personally, I wouldn’t ever use a film like that because I would be afraid students who have been victimized would have a traumatic episode in class. But I have not taught in the same places some of these teachers have, so I can’t judge. Also, some of these teachers have had specific training that would qualify them to discuss such things and have students write about it. For many students, it’s therapeutic as well as educational. Again, however, I am not trained in those areas and couldn’t deal with it myself.
I am not sure where you are getting your stats about black families and incest. On a strictly anecdotal level, I’ve heard victims from all backgrounds speak about it. And we really don’t know how many victims there are out there who do NOT speak about it. So I wonder, even if the numbers are out there somewhere, if they are at all accurate.
I will have to see this film. I ordinarily don’t like to know too much before seeing a film, but in this case I am glad I am duly warned. Thanks Rick.
Poor Richard, I agree with Witness Too. I would far rather someone not define MY community by Corey Stewart, Greg or Fernandez. And who has the nation seen on TV? Those 3.
Thanks to Eric and Annabel and their crew, America gets to hear other voices from our community. Many of us don’t want to be seen as Sherif Joe. I got email and phone calls from people in the North East and Pacific North West asking me what all was going on in PWC and asking me if we had gone with minute men mentality. Considering the people who called, that was a pretty rough question. They weren’t known for their liberal ways.
Poor Richard, the film doesn’t give us a black eye. In fact, it sort of puts a few choice steaks on both eyes for healing.
Witness Too,
Hopefully I haven’t been brainwashed by either extreme on this issue,
and I will try to be moderately objective. (Alas, extremism seems
to be the accepted norm in the world of blogs).
I trust Eric and Annabel will find another community to “friend”
in the near future and leave Manassas in peace. The same for Greg and
Fernandez.
You never know, perhaps 9500 Liberty will bring tourism to Manassas. Stranger things have happened.
About 8 years ago I was drawn to a little town in Washington State named Forks. It got the most rainfall of any town in the United States. It was near an Indian reservation called La Push. What a really nothing little town of barely over 3,000. They had a neat bead shop. Great T shirts in the drug store. Last time I was there with my husband (2004) rather than my female friends. He was not impressed but we found a great restaurant down at La Push on the rez. Forks is sort of the only place to stay overnight between Port Angeles and the Quinault Lodge.
Many of you will know where this is going. Forks is now the hot spot of America (rolling eyes) Why? It is the setting for the teen vampire book series Twilight . The first of the Twilight series was published in 2005. Forks now has traffic jams. Entrepreneurs have flooded the town with Twilight memorabilia. This past weekend the second movie of the series came out, New Moon. It is the third biggest receipt sales for opening weekend, trailing Batman and some other movie I don’t remember.
Would that the same thing happened to our area. We wouldn’t all be scrambling around fighting over the tax rate. If Forks, WA that is the rain capital of the universe can become the hot spot, any place can. Now if only Letiecq and Stewart were vampires……
Richard, I think it’s fair to put Fernandez, Stewart, and Letiecq in the extremist category, but M-H is absolutely right: the film covers just about everyone’s feelings and everyone’s reaction. I felt it did not spend enough time on the religious community, but it did acknowledge that we were players in getting the Resolution neutered. Truth is Fernandez is barely in it, and just as the film veers away from him when his signs start to get offensive and unproductive, you see the community veer away from Letiecq and Stewart as they go off the deep end, accusing Chief Deane of treason for instance.
For my two cents, it was extreme of Letiecq and Stewart to oppose the neutering of the Resolution. It was very clear at the time that this was the best thing for the county’s future, but they tried to get their army of the brainwashed riled up for one last battle and were willing to slander Chief Deane in order to win a political war. For what? I can’t even say.
The one thing that 9500 Liberty does NOT do is hurt Manassas or Prince William County in my opinion.
I think it gets our name on the map and redeems.
And everyone has heard me on the subject of that sign.
@Moon-howler
“You never know, perhaps 9500 Liberty will bring tourism to Manassas.:” Oh dear God NO!!!! That is NOT a good reason to visiting PWC or Manassas! We have so many better things to offer. The immigration wars are NOT those things.
Get them here. Their hearts and minds and pocketbooks will follow.
Have to say…I probably could not disagree more with Rick regarding “Precious.” I found it to be such an amazing film, and I have met (during my lifetime) at least a couple of girls from Manassas in similarly abusive situations. I think the lead actress’s portrayal was nuanced, and her voiceovers were well-done (not cheesy like in a lot of films). Mariah Carey was appropriately plain and quietly emotional in one scene. Mo’nique was absolutely wonderful…monstrous in parts, and then letting a pitiful side show through…one that made the audience uncomfortable by forcing them to have a smidge of compassion for/understanding of her character.
Yes, it is indeed a very hard film to watch. However, with a background in mental health, I have seen my share of the shocking real-life damage that abuse can do. All kinds of abuse are much more common than we would like to let ourselves believe. Precious’s pain and experience was almost unbearable for the audience, but her resilience and resolve to move forward despite the unresolved horrors of her life made the film compelling.
I know…not the original topic, but I highly recommend “Precious.”
Not everyone is able to be comfortable with films like “Precious.” I decided not to see it.
I appreciate the warning label provided by Rick. Some films are too intense for some people. I am glad DG provided the positive side to the film. I think it is one of those films that is just not for everyone.
Thanks Diversity Gal. Now I really have to see this film!
Fernandez put up a large illegal sign in Old Town Manassas calling our
community the “Capital Of Intolerance” and worse. Eric and Annabel
promoted his actions through their filming and calling the production
9500 Liberty.
There is a story here – they just didn’t tell it – their film is calculated
propaganda pushing their long held bias – illegals can do no wrong,
and those who don’t agree are evil.
“Triumph of the Will” also won a number of awards, but I don’t like
it either.
Poor Richard, I agree with you on many things. This is one I do not agree with you about. I do not think Eric and Annabel promoted his actions. I believe they documented the events that transpired from the beginning Resolution of July 10l. 2007. 9500 Liberty was an epicenter that lent itself to the art of filming. Complex 1 just doesn’t have the same ring, despite the fact that many more hours were spent documenting there.
I don’t believe that Eric and Annabel believe that ‘illegals’ can do no wrong. I don’t think they think those who disagree are evil.
I also need to remind everyone that they aren’t outsiders. Eric is a Prince William County resident. This is very much his and his family’s community.
PR, I suppose this is just one of those things you and I will never see eye to eye on. I hope you get to see the finished product when it comes back to town.
You might hate Mr. Fernandez, but he’s a citizen just like you and me. The thing about “illegals can’t do no wrong” is a bogus question. Pretty damned ignorant too. Notice I said ignorant not evil. Children are ignorant too and I would never say they are evil.
Justin, I don’t “hate” Fernandez, but I deeply resent what he has done to
hurt my community. The same for Letieq and, in their own way, Eric and
Annabel. They are opportunist who saw and have taken advantage of an
area under the tremendous stress of massive, rapid demographic
changes.
The partisan nature of blog sites mean that they, more often than not,
become echo chambers. Eric and Annabel, who I’ve never met, may well
be nice people, but I simply don’t share this blog’s great admiration of
9500 Liberty.
It is true that the videos on 9500 Liberty amplified Letiecq and Stewart, as well as some other people who made the county look bad. Mr. Duecaster comes to mind. But Letiecq and Stewart were also on Lou Dobbs and Fox “News” which are seen by millions of people.
As for Mr. Fernandez’s sign, he was already on the local news and in the Washington Post which is another million or more. So Richard if you want to blame the less expensive forms of media that allow people to know what’s going on in the world (even if its sometimes ugly) then you really have to be against all forms of media including the big corporate media. The 9500 Liberty videos were less polished but told the same sad story.
I think if you see the film you’ll be glad that it shows how the sad story became an uplifting story. Mr. Fernandez, Letiecq, Stewart, and Mr. Duecaster all get left behind and “the real Prince William county” including a lot of regulars on this blog, stood up to restore democracy, sanity, and the Constitution. Why is that such an embarrassment? I’m proud that we did that.
Witness, perhaps we are blogging past each other.
– The PWC Resolutions and the stir of battle around them seem to be key
issues to many of you and Fernandez and his sign(s) are a side story
that provided the catchy title for your BFF movie.
– That Fernandez, who obviously hates the City Of Manassas because it
didn’t sign off and cave PDQ on a flawed rezoning request, has used
his signage to give the finger to the community. A film called
“9500 Liberty” has the sound of fingernails on a blackboard for many
of us who love and work to support Manassas.
I have to agree with Poor Richard about the movie title. The name itself is a black eye of sorts. It only further confuses those from outside the area. The sign was in the City of Manassas yet the film and the sign were about a policy in Prince William County. A black eye that The City of Manassas is NOT deserving of in the least.
The documentary Farmingville premiered in 2004 and almost five years later is still being viewed and talked about. http://www.pbs.org/pov/farmingville/
It captured events and voices — just like 9500 Liberty. What makes 9500 Liberty unique is, the footage was posted on YouTube videos for everyone to see and comment on, as the process unfolded. For that reason alone, the filmmakers deserve an award.
The subject matter crossed jurisdictions. 9500 Liberty is one family, one sign, one property that became a flashpoint for all the stuff happening. If the filmmakers had started where Serifin Negrete was murdered in the eastern end of the county, it might have had a different geographic title.
Let’s get to the point of the movie Poor Richard, that’s what matters to me. since you have yet to see it, I wonder, once again, what are you basing your review opon? The reality is that FAIR used Greg, Greg used John Stirrup, Corey used them both, and we, as citizens, got stuck with the consequences. WERE IT NOT for those people mentioned above, there NEVER would have been a 9500 Liberty movie! I think Poor Richard, you have the luxury of complaining now because Greg and his movement of hate, spearheaded by Corey and supported by FAIR was beat back by so many people who risked much by speaking openly. You weren’t one of them so I just don’t have much more to say on the subject. I wonder how different PWC would have turned out if there had been no Chief Deane, no citizen uprising in February, what would BVBL and HSM look like now. For those that say they no longer visit BVBL and refuse to comment over there, just imagine, maybe there would have been no anti and then what would the comments look like on BVBL had there been no one to stand up against the vileness?!
Rather than blame 9500 Liberty, let’s blame Fernandez. He is who donated the land at 9500 Liberty Street for the sign. It became a rallying point, an epicenter as it were. It really doesn’t matter who did what….that is where the storm gathered. That address symbolically and literally became a point of resistance.
Eric and Annabel documented the storm. They didn’t create the storm. And frankly, they carried a message for everybody since the footage ended up on youtube for comment.
Excellent points M-H!
I also agree that Eric and Annabel exploited the community for their own purposes. It would take a lot to convince me otherwise.
However, I think it’s time to give credit to this blog for its evolution over the past several months. Where early on dissenting voices were sometimes mocked in some of the most insulting terms, now there seems to be a much more reasonable and enjoyable dialogue. I think it brings out the best in everyone when they feel challenged, but not ridiculed, for their beliefs.
Nice job.
Thank you Emma. Most days I feel good about the evolution. Thanks for being here.
On 9500, I hope you will see the final product. I think ‘exploited’ is a very strong word that contains an element of hinting that they harmed the community. Naturally the film makers want their film to be successful. I don’t think they harmed the community at all. I would go so far as to say they helped shed some much needed light on what was going on behind closed doors.
I would never think transparency was harmful.
Twenty years ago, Manassas hit national headlines because of the infamous
Bobbitt incident. The individuals were residents of PWC and the cruel slice was
made in PWC while the delicate high tech reattachment was performed at the
excellent medical facilities located in Manassas City – a fact noted in a City news
release at the time. Alas, though we were stuck with the byline and years of
snickers. (At least it predated U-Tube and blogs).
Here is a Resolution for you: If you live in PWC – act out in PWC!
PWC County is over ten times larger than Manassas.
Greg L., Fernandez, Eric — take it back home.
Can we send pamphlets into Mexico advertising the fact that in Manassas sometimes, a man’s penis gets cut off?
If you let me put random characters in where Spanish words would go, the pamphlet coiuld read like this to someone who doesn’t speak Spanish :
hkjh bkjhks fjhgg “John Bobbit” hjbk jlbd fk “Lorena” ghkfdhm fgk gkfhgk fgjkhfdkg sfkdjhs k “Frankenpenis.” hfk kjfbs das dsla dvkj jdkj jksda akjd dksjdsakldsjkddfb “Manassas, Virginia” ofshfk ksdjl jdlba djb dfjlb vjlb “el diablo” hdshdsfh kjdhs lsdmb jsdlb sdfjlb dsfjkl b hoh.
See, you guys like to bash Greg but if I had an organization like HSM at my disposal, these are the kind of things we would pursue. We would send flyers to Mexico that warn men about penis-cuttings in Manassas, and intersperse pictures of Latino men doing drywall with the courtroom photos of Bobbit’s injury.
AND claim that the penis-cuttings were the primary reason for the housing crisis and the construction work slowdown in the area.
THEN I would cold-call residents in Spanish, claiming that Obama’s next attempt at Amnesty will involve leaning English, a $500 fine, and surgical removal of one’s penis.
MEANWHILE, I would distribute flyers around town in Spanish – piles of them in “Tiempo Latino” boxes, for starters – claiming that the government will look more favorably on Amnesty for any illegal immigrants who make fiscal contributions to HSM or whatever this organization would be called.
I’d have hundreds of angry Mexican soccer fans show up on World Cup day at Marty Nohe’s hardware store, enticed by a flyer advertising the game on wide-screen TV and $1 Modestos. I’d have residents protesting Chief Deane’s attitude by throwing tacos onto police car windshields. (Can you imagine tens of tacos splattering off a police car windshield? What a GREAT photo op and youtube moment). I’d be completely out of control.
I’d send a mass mailing advertising “The House of Meat” (“featuring the finest in South American *****” … “disease-free staff” … “extra surcharge applies fof sex without condoms”) to all English-speaking residents. If i wanted to make it less believable I’d claim that the underage workers were supplied using a financial grant from ACORN.
The “House of Meat’ flyer could contain, as a service to the potential consumer, a convenient list translating all kinds of very graphic sexual phrases from English to Spanish. By mailing this out, I’d get a lot of women on my side. They’d be out throwing tacos onto police car windshields in no time.
Rick you are just bad to the bone today. (no pun intended, of course) Poor Mrs. Rick having to deal with you over a VERY LONG weekend. Bad to the bone but creative.
Howard Stern Jr. here.