June 20, 2005 - Bob
Los Angeles, CA
My focus has shifted as I’m embarking on another journey in just a few days. Back in the winter of 2004, I met a wellness expert named Gary Earl through Annamaria’s work at the corporate side of Caesars Palace. He heard about “Boys of Summer” from Annamaria and was touched as he has a son (Tommy), they both love baseball and Gary’s mom has Parkinson’s Disease. Although Gary and Tommy’s interview didn’t make the final cut of the movie (no offense, guys!), we got to talking. Gary mentioned his need to reach out and talk to more people across America about the health crisis we are facing. The way he’d do it? By hopping on a bicycle and riding coast to coast.
His message and passion for it fascinated me. I told him I thought it would make a great documentary. Without much more discussion, he said, “Great!”
Now, about nine months later, I’m preparing to leave at the end of this month with him on a 35 day, 3000+ mile bike ride across the country. I’ve never been a cyclist (save for the past four months, when I’ve been riding six days a week) though I did love my dirt bike as a kid. The adventure and the meaning behind it are too good to pass up. Saying yes was also made easier by being bitten by the “road bug” last summer -- it is infectious.
This will also give me a brief reprieve from “Boys of Summer” so I can come back to the film and the marketing of it with the notes from two screenings and a fresh set of eyes.
In the final book form, the following will all be actual photocopies of the letters. They are typed in here for reference.
Florentine Films (Ken Burns)
Aug. 15, 2005
Boys of Summer
The joy of Boys of Summer comes from its brilliant honesty. Working in the documentary world and being surrounded by its fierceness, rebelliousness, and alternative structure, I have come across many different types of documentaries, all with their own style. However, I have rarely come across a film that is so full of life, so comforting, and so truthful, yet, wonderfully simple. Robert Cochrane does not cloud his film with special effects, drawn out story lines, or unnecessary footage, but lets the story unfold gradually as the viewer travels from city to city, along for the ride. The nature of a documentary and Robert Cochrane does just that. He takes the viewer on a personal journey into his relationship with his father and shows how the two of them cope with his father's illness: with laughter, adventure, and love. Yet, most importantly, they cope with it together.
One of the greatest treasures of this film is how well we get to know the Cochranes. Robert does an excellent job of showing his father's humor and spirit. Even though his father is quiet and thoughtful through most of the journey, Robert is careful never to overshadow him. He is courageous in hi film making as he lets the camera capture his father's silences and subtle facial expressions. Robert himself is energetic and driven in his mission to raise money and spread the word about Parkinson's Disease. He is also very open about his trouble, his fears, and his mistakes along the way, but he perseveres through it all. The viewer is along for the ride, through all the parks, the games, the sleep-deprived nights, the hours of driving, and the aching homesickness, just as if every viewer is an old friend of the Cochrane family.
I challenge any person to watch this film and not desperately want to call Robert to personally ask how his father is doing. This film is truly inspiring and the drive behind it comes from pure love. I have asked many people to watch this film and all of them have been moved, sometimes to tears, sometimes to laughter, but always to try and make a difference themselves. I believe that this film is a real treasure. The camaraderie between the Cochranes would make anyone yearn for late night baseball tosses in the backyard and road trip adventures with their own father.
Devon Ciampa
Assistant to Ken Burns
Florentine Films
No comments:
Post a Comment