Future Screenings of Abandoned Allies

Our most recent screening in Raleigh on Sunday, September 23, 2012.

Thank you for asking about future screenings of Abandoned Allies. I can't wait to share it again, and I'm looking for ways to do so immediately.

At this point, we're showing it in places where we have a champion on the ground. Someone willing to find the best location, build the team that'll show the film, and handle event-related questions. It takes quite a bit of effort and coordination, so this champion is critical in these grassroots efforts to share the film.

If you, or someone you know, is willing to be that champion--and help share Abandoned Allies in your area--please let us know. Email me at abandonedallies [at] gmail.com. Or if you know someone in distribution, give me a shout.

This grassroots effort takes a bit of time, so we appreciate your patience as we share the film as often as we can, in as many locations as you request. We look forward to sharing the film again as soon as we can.

Stay tuned. More info soon!

I'm No Expert

Speaking to a group of NCSU students--most
likely saying, "I don't really know."

We've shared Abandoned Allies a number of times now. During the conversations that follow screenings of the film, I get plenty of really great questions. More often than not, I don't have the answers.

Ironic, isn't it? 

Here I stand in front of a crowd, years after of studying this stuff, mic in my hand--and I have no answers to share. It's a tough spot to be in, since I'm supposed to know some answers. But the truth is: I just don't. 

I'm getting more comfortable with saying, "I don't know; I'm not the expert." I'll never be the expert because I'm just the kid that made the film. I interviewed people who know much more. I've spent time with them and learned a lot in the process--but not enough. 

I've learned, what I think, is barely enough. I've only scratched the surface of a very complex subject that covers decades of history in more than one country. If anything, I wish I had more time, resources, and opportunities to keep studying it. To keep documenting these wonderful, fascinating people--and the love and respect they feel for one another. There are so many beautiful stories here, and it pains me to know that I can't share them all with you.

So, during these Q&As, when I tell you that I don't know the answer to your question, please understand that it's not from lack of trying. I'm learning and sharing what I do know. I'm so glad you asked me a question, and I hope someone can answer it for all of us.

Keep asking, y'all. I'll keep seeking the truth. 

Ted Hope on History

Read this today. I felt it was appropriate

"My favorite class ever in high school was the day my history teacher told us he was going to teach us to read. History wasn’t what we read on the page,but the ideas they trying to express with showing it, the stuff in between the lines.  The only way to ever read history he said, was to find the bias.  Only the victors get published, but the nature of war is that the losers are the ones that die more.  The numbers that count are the bodies piled up in mounds, not the few who live to reap the spoils; look there for the true tale of what was lost while others won." 

- via Ted Hope, Hope for Film (http://bit.ly/PrRKCf)

Recap: Screening at Saint Paul's Christian Church

Yesterday we screened Abandoned Allies at Saint Paul's Christian Church in Raleigh, N.C. It was a well attended event, with plenty of great conversations afterwards! Thank you all for coming, watching the film, and sticking around afterwards to ask questions.

I'd like to thank Diane Faires for organizing the screening. She did a fantastic job putting it together, and I'm so grateful for her efforts. Julie Mullin was kind enough to give me a tour of the gardens at Saint Paul's yesterday. She introduced me to plenty of the folks at the church, and even spoke during the Q&A session. So I'd like to thank her as well.

There are so many people helping with this film, and I feel incredibly lucky to know them. Events like yesterday's screening take a lot of planning and coordination, so I am incredibly grateful to the church and its congregation for hosting the event. They are doing some really cool things at the church, and I look forward to learning more about it.

Stay tuned, y'all. There's so much more to share!

Quite a full house during the screening at Saint Paul's
Christian Church in Raleigh, N.C., on September 23, 2012.

The church garden has things like Cambodian green beans, which
Julie Mullin showed me. We ate them straight off the stalk. Yum!