Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father

this movie is heartbreaking and inspiring at the same time. the worst and best of the human is on display. Andrew's friends and family made me love him and them. they continue to work to change laws to protect innocent people from those who may be dangerous. this trailer brought back the memory of watching the film with my sister. i am sobbing and she says, "it gets worse"

Statement from the Filmmaker
I wish that I had never had the opportunity to make this film. I wish that my friend Dr. Andrew Bagby was alive and well and that I was blissfully ignorant of the lessons I've learned along this journey. Alas, this is not the case. When bad things happen, good people have to take what they've learned and make the world a better place, and that is precisely what I hope this film will do – make the world a better place.
..............In the last phone conversation I ever had with Andrew, he asked me if I'd ever heard the Garth Brooks song "Standing Outside the Fire". I hadn't. He said the song reminded him of me because "I've never thought of you as standing outside the fire." After he died, I was bequeathed Andrew's copy of the album. The chorus is:

Life is not tried, it is merely survived
If you're standing outside the fire

I hope this film will inspire lawmakers and citizens everywhere to take a look at themselves, decide what they stand for and do their best to live a life they can look back on proudly. We are alive. We have the opportunity to do and achieve anything we can imagine. For those who are just surviving – and for those members of the Canadian governmental systems who scrambled to save face in the wake of this tragedy rather than admit error and take positive action – I hope it will inspire them to go forth, use their power for good and jump into the fire.

I hope that you will join me on what has been the most rewarding journey of my life. I believe we can make the world a safer, better place.
Kurt Kuenne
.....
full statement

a good review by Brian Orndorf over at DVD talk

THE FILM
The experience of watching the documentary "Dear Zachary" is like trying to put together a complex puzzle inside a roaring jet engine. Eschewing a liberal, meditative approach to reverse engineer a murder, "Zachary" instead pours its heart out over the screen, piloting with unfiltered rage and tears as filmmaker Kurt Kuenne embarks on a distressing odyssey to decipher just who would want to kill his lifelong friend, Andrew.
When 28-year-old Andrew Bagby entered into a relationship with 40-year-old Shirley Jane Turner, Andrew's immense community of friends and family felt a distinct unease with this strange woman. Beloved everywhere he went and blessed with a rare inner fountain of goodwill and humor, Andrew eventually came to agree with the majority opinion and hoped to break up with Turner one night before heading over to a friend's house. The next day his body was discovered riddled with bullets, with Turner fleeing to Canada soon after to avoid prosecution. What ensued after the grisly murder makes up the bulk of "Dear Zachary," and it's a story that's not easily forgotten. The senseless death of Andrew Bagby is only the prologue to Kuenne's film: a clenched, tireless love letter to Andrew's infectious spirit as well as a cinematic exorcism of sorts, clearing away the demons that surrounded his final days.
full review

THE CATS OF MIRIKITANI....all thumbs up!

i love this film...took it to the sister retreat and it was loved there too....and my sister who will not be seeing Dear Zachary (too much kleenex) stayed awake and survived this poignant human story....i will see this one again many times.....

THE CATS OF MIRIKITANI
Lost in painful memories, eighty-year-old Japanese American artist Jimmy Mirikitani lived on the streets of Manhattan, resisting any human connection or assistance and obsessively pursuing his art. Among his lovely, lyrical drawings of cats could be found darker, angrier images that revealed a troubled past. In early 2001 film artist Linda Hattendorf noticed Jimmy and his work, and slowly a tentative friendship emerged that would change both of their lives. When 9/11 engulfed Soho in toxic smoke, Hattendorf took Jimmy in to live with her, and an extraordinary journey began which gradually gave the artist the courage to confront his past in the World War II internment camps and embrace a new life. This is a story of remarkable compassion, courage and transformation that unveils the wounds of war at the same time it celebrates the power of human connection and healing. Winning over 20 Festival awards, including Tribeca, this jewel of a film is storytelling at its very best.

check out trailer at Ironweed Films here

Other films in this release PILGRIMAGE LOST AND FOUND

must see...end mountaintop removal NOW !!

i just recieved my copy of this powerful collection from Christians for the Mountains. the people of the Appalachian Mountains need us all to help stop the destruction of their home. i have ordered extra copies i hope to put copies in the hands of my Christian friends so, hopefully, we can all stand up and save this 2nd most diverse forest on planet earth and home to some amazing folks. the legacy of this beautiful place and the wisdom of the people of these mountains is priceless.
wake up america!!

Christians for the Mountains presents


The Mountain Mourning Collection
produced by B. J. Gudmundsson

Portraits of the Human Spirit featuring Traditional Appalachian Music
Includes “Mountain Mourning,” “Look What They’ve Done,”
and “Keeper of the Mountains.” View Previews

In the Southern Appalachian Mountains, a coal-mining process known as Mountaintop Removal is devastating God’s creation. And global warming is being accelerated by Mountaintop Removal. Demand for electricity overshadows weak environmental laws. Coal industry profits outweigh quality of life. As our oldest mountaintops vanish, the people are left behind. Having paid the highest price – they are abandoned in what is called “the sacrifice zone.” These are their stories.

Christians for the Mountains is a non-profit, grass-roots organization that encourages the preservation of God’s Earth and its human communities. We call upon Christians, church communities and people of conscience to join us in advocating for personal responsibilities and public policies that conserve the use of earth’s resources and address abusive coal extraction processes.

“The Mountain Mourning Collection” is a powerful viewing experience. For those who are familiar with mountaintop removal these films evoke strong emotions while being affirming and hope inspiring.

“Mountain Mourning” is the feature film of the collection. It gives an overview of the basics of mountaintop removal within the context of the Appalachian culture.

“Look What They’ve Done” and “Keeper of the Mountains” included on the DVD, are stories told by persons directly affected by mountaintop removal mining. Mountaintop removal is not an abstraction. It adversely affects the lives of real human beings. These films capture Maria Gunnoe’s and Larry Gibson’s love of mountains and mountain folk and also their pain and anguish over the devastation of the land and its people. These films should break a heart of stone.

Also on this DVD
“A Call to Action” which is a short message from Christians for the Mountains co-founder, Bob Marshall.

“Bringing Down the Mountains” excerpts. The film is a project by Pennsylvania high school students that can inspire young people to engage pressing issues of our time in order to make a positive difference for their future.

Christians for the Mountains provides more information about their efforts to stop mountaintop removal as well as a Viewing Guide and “5 Ways You Can Make a Big Difference” on their website:

ChristiansfortheMountains.org

info on DVD here