tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435253058176416288.post7650167201110440978..comments2023-08-20T06:16:15.362-05:00Comments on Getafilm: Taking It Home: Pray the Devil Back to HellDanielhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05222052132452709301noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435253058176416288.post-74454914100532738722009-03-10T10:15:00.000-05:002009-03-10T10:15:00.000-05:00Thanks. It will probably pop up on PBS in a few ye...Thanks. It will probably pop up on PBS in a few years or referenced here and there, but I doubt many people will see it. An Oscar nomination might have helped it out, but all of the final nominees were worthy (actually I didn't see The Garden).<BR/><BR/>There was a Q & A session with members of the Liberian community here after this screening. They made sure to clarify that Liberia was NOT founded by former U.S. slaves. Saying so, according to them, is a slight to the native Africans (they avoid the term "indigenous" because it creates unnecessary distinctions) that were already living in that part of West Africa. Apparently it was just a broad region there and the former slaves <I>helped</I> the natives "settle" the land that became Liberia. <BR/><BR/>Whether that can be considered "founding" or not, I don't know. But I understand that they are trying to stray from the idea that slaves brought back leadership and democratic ideals from the U.S. that "civilized" the area. <BR/><BR/>Apparently there is still a lot of tension around this issue, and it at a deeper level it continues to play a role in the conflicts that have happened in Liberia.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, it really would be great to see the women's model attempted elsewhere, but part of still me wonders if it worked so well mostly because it was a surprise. Warring parties in other countries (DRC) might preemptively try to prevent any demonstration like this.Danielhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05222052132452709301noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3435253058176416288.post-43695542639203356682009-03-09T15:14:00.000-05:002009-03-09T15:14:00.000-05:00Wow - this is fascinating. Thanks for educating me...Wow - this is fascinating. Thanks for educating me by featuring this film. Sadly, the only thing I knew about Liberia was it was founded to some extent by ex-slaves, and that the capital Monrovia was named after U.S. President James Monroe ... I definitely have not understood anything of its history since 1989.<BR/><BR/>I am truly astonished and moved that the efforts of these women has caused such fundamental change. If only this could be the new "natural way" for many countries in conflict!<BR/>I like your phrase about hope getting in the door. Definitely seems like a must-see film.Joshihnohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12129307621580634512noreply@blogger.com