By the Side of the Road: 911 in America

I caught this film at this year's Westwood International Film Festival in Los Angeles. It was an extremely touching and inspiring film. I almost didn't see it due to the subject matter (Sept. 11th) but I am really glad I did. It was not political or slanted in anyway, it was just people talking about that day, and their experiences of that day. I looked up the film on Yahoo! and found that most of the film can be viewed on Yahoo! Video. I guess they featured it on the 5 year anniversary of Sept. 11th, and over 1,000 people left comments about how they had heard, and what they were doing that day. That was an interesting read as well...If you can find it out there, see this film!

This energetic, freshly conceived documentary provides a unique and valuable time capsule through spontaneous interviews with ordinary citizens across America in the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 tragedy. It's also far more than that. It reminds one that good films should be about brains and talent; not money. Watching "By the Side of the Road" one recognizes just how much has been lost during the ensuing four years. I would love to see a follow-up to this project, tracking down every one of its participants and comparing their current feelings with their original insights. "By the Side of the Road" stands out as an example of authentic, accessible guerrilla film-making, distinguished by new behind the lens talent as well as by its healthy lack of an overriding corporate agenda.

I have to admit, I was leery of watching the documentary thinking it would bring up those terrible memories of "the day". However, I'm so glad that I was able to watch it. I was very emotional through the entire film but was comforted to see that others who were interviewed in the film felt the same way. It was beautifully narrated and filmed. In a way it helped me close the door on the sad memories of that day. I thought it was a wonderful view of a variety of Americans (and non-Americans) of how they felt about about that day. Everyone should see this film for that reason alone. It was a tragic day for America and the world. I only hope that this film begins to get the exposure it needs to reach the masses. Right now it does not seem to be widely available.