“Enriching the Human Spirit through Film” – Ojai Film Festival

This marks my ninth year as a judge for the Ojai Film Festival whose theme is “Enriching the Human Spirit through Film”. Last night, November 5, 2009, on the recreation grounds of the Ojai Valley Inn, this unique international film festival was opened with a free screening of a new and brilliant documentary feature, The Most Dangerous Man in America about Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers. Daniel and Patricia Ellsberg, as well as filmmakers Judith Ehrlich and Rick Goldsmith, were on hand for Q & A following the outdoor screening. . NY TIMES gave it a rave.

For those of you who don’t remember, Daniel Ellsberg was a high-level Pentagon official and Vietnam War strategist, who discovered that the war was based on decades of lies. Risking prison, Ellsberg leaked seven thousand top secret documents to the press, making headlines around the world, and leading to Nixon’s resignation and the end of an unnecessary war. Ellsberg spoke of the necessity today of civil action.

I wonder, anyone see a parallel to what is going on today?

This weekend films from all over the world will be screened, both documentary and narrative features and short films. Happily, technology has made it possible for more independent voices in media today, quite apart from that of Hollywood. Here in Ojai, California, we have the opportunity this week to view stories from Iraq, Scotland, China, South America, etc. If we are one global village now, why can’t we get along?

– Catherine Ann Jones,  www.wayofstory.com

c.2009 Catherine Ann Jones. All rights Reserved.