The Week Ahead: "America's Heart and Soul," Opens Fri [Not exactly Moore's version of America]

The NY Times ^ | June 27, 2004 | Dave Kehr

[summer]

The Week in Review - Sunday NYT

[The week to come:]

FILM The Walt Disney Company took plenty of heat in the news media for its decision not to distribute Michael Moore's controversial documentary "Fahrenheit 9/11," and they're likely to get more for "America's Heart and Soul," opening nationally on Friday. Certain to be tagged by critics as the documentary Disney wanted you to see, the film is an unabashedly patriotic assemblage of iconographic images - the Statue of Liberty, Monument Valley - broken up with thumbnail sketches of rugged individuals, including a Colorado cowboy and an Appalachian rug weaver, pursuing their American dreams.

Dave Kehr

[summer]

This is the first I've heard of this film. Here's another mention about it, posted below:

America's Heart and Soul

America is a vast country -- three thousand miles from end to end. But it's not the land that makes America so special -- it's the people. Filmmaker Louis Schwartzberg packed up his camera and hit the road, with a goal of capturing both the unparalleled beauty of the land and the incomparable spirit of the people. Through his movie, "America's Heart and Soul," you'll have the chance to meet ordinary Americans with extraordinary stories. Louis's gift is his ability to connect with people, honestly capturing their values, dreams, and passion in an awe-inspiring journey that reveals the stories - unusual, captivating, inspiring and emotional - that make us into something more than a collection of individuals. "America's Heart and Soul" is a celebration of a nation told through the voices of its people.

And, a longer article, from Yahoo! HERE.

[My Favorite Headache]

There was a preview of this shown before Troy the other night here in Orlando.

[summer]

And...how was it?

[BenLurkin]

"unabashedly patriotic" BUMP

[summer]

This sounds like the kind of movie you can take kids to, the whole family, and then feel good after seeing it. We have so much to feel proud about in this country. I'm glad someone took the time to make such a documentary.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

For those near Seattle WA

Walt Disney Motion Picture Sneak Preview with Michael Medved!

6/16/2004 - 6/29/2004





America is a vast country, three thousand miles from end to end. But it's not the land that makes America so special...it's the people. Filmmaker Louis Schwartzberg packed up his camera and hit the road, with a goal of capturing both the unparalleled beauty of the land and the incomparable sprit of the people. In the new Walt Disney Motion Picture , "America's Heart and Soul," you'll have the chance to meet ordinary Americans with extraordinary stories.



Talk 770 KTTH is proud to offer our listeners the unique opportunity to attend a sneak preview event of "America's Heart and Soul" with 770 KTTH's renowned movie critic Michael Medved. The sneak preview will be on Tuesday June 29th at Pacific Place Theatres. Pick up free limited passes at Dick's Camera and Digital in Burien or The Mac Store in Seattle. Or listen to Michael Medved's show all this week for your chance to call in for tickets.


http://www.ktth.com/events.jsp

[summer]

Thanks for posting that. Is there an official site for the film? There must be, but I haven't run across it yet.

[Libertarianize the GOP]

There is a trailer at the above link but about an official site I don't know.

[ambrose]

http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/heartandsoul/flash.html

[Alia]

Heard about this film yesterday from someone who attended a premier showing -- SHE LOVED IT. Brought tears to her eyes, in loving her country and countrymen all across the fruited plains.

[I'm ALL Right!]

You beat me to it...

Incidentally, I noticed it has original music by JOHN MELLENCAMP. Makes me wonder about the slant of the movie, if there is one.

[My Favorite Headache]

Troy was horrible...the preview was good.

[summer]

Miss Marple, here's the thread about a new movie opening this Friday, "America's Heart and Soul."

And, thanks again for your comments on this other thread,
"The Hollywood Reporter's Interview with Gov Jeb Bush"

[Miss Marple]

Thanks, summer! I will keep an eye out for this film!

[summer]

See post #10 - Also, from the Yahoo link in my post #1:

...His [the director of "America's Heart and Soul"] gallery of diversified Americana includes some rare finds, like Roudy Roudebush, an old cowboy from Telluride, Colo., who looks like Slim Pickins and gallops over the Continental Divide, relishing his government-free independence as he shows a young cowgirl the ropes.

Segments last an average of three or four minutes each, typically isolating the passion of Schwartzberg's subjects, demonstrating how they embody the region in which they live, and highlighting the characteristics that make them special. Certain heartfelt "heartland" themes -- dedication to a calling, love of the land and economic autonomy -- reoccur throughout the mini-narratives.

A white-haired weaver in Kentucky waxes poetical on her fierce love for Appalachia, stating that if one were to cut her open "what you'll see is a mountain range, mist hanging in the hills, that's my heart." Distinguishing between being broke and being poor, she claims that in Appalachia they know how to live off the land and have all they really need.

Schwartzberg tosses in some oddball curves for comic relief [....] Some add danger and daring to the mix, like a female champion acrobatics pilot and an imaginative Gotham bike messenger.

Several subjects burst into music, adding welcome respite from Joel McNeely's relentlessly upbeat score. Seventh generational Cajuns fiddle while gumbo burns; a choir leader in Mississippi positively vibrates with the joy of singing; a Vermont dairy farmer makes movies and strums bluegrass music on the side.

Then there are those paragons of exemplary courage who triumph over adversity: the spastic, cerebral-palsied, non-speaking Boston marathoner; the black teen who went to jail for seven years only to emerge a proficient boxer and become captain of the U.S. Olympics team, and the fearless blind mountain climber who scaled Mt. Everest.

Tech credits are highly polished; indeed, one wonders why the film wasn't conceived for IMAX screens, since its structure and scope seem ideally suited to larger-than-life venues. [....]

[summer]

You're welcome. I didn't see Moore's film, but I will make a point to see this one. Nothing wrong with celebrating all that is RIGHT with our great country.

[summer]

Thanks for your reply there. :)

[So Cal Rocket]

Anyone working on Republican GOTV effort might want to stake out some space outside whereever this movie is playing to register voters!

[sultan88]

Let's find out where this is playing and go see it.

[summer]

I'll bet you could register some new voters at this film.