Half Past Autumn: The Life and Works of Gordon Parks

Excellent biography; wish I could buy it. More than that, I wish I could have lived it.Thanks to Denzel Washington & HBO for bringing it to the screen, and to Mr. Gordon Parks for living it.

Gordon brought out many questions about life, race, poverty, social roles and "cures" for societies "ills" that I have often wondered about, particularly in the areas of race relations and poverty. I have attempted, in my small way, to make changes where I live, but Parks has achieved on a grand scale what I had wished to achieve here. He has done it with beauty, grace and flair. I too lived in Paris, France, the happiest years of my life, and wish I could have found out more about Mr. Park's life and times there, along with his marriages and children. He was "always gone" (on location, working), and the children seemed to have accepted that, but what was it truly like for them, and their mothers, "waiting at home?" I stayed home for most of my life, taking care of my family while "Dreaming of Africa" and far away places... and missed out on so many "adventures" Mr. Parks had. He was able to show the world a real perspective on how other people live, via his work with Life Magazine, and through his paintings, pictures, music and films, and perhaps "make a difference" in the world by the production and promotion of this new and different "sight" at the time.

"Why are all these people rioting?" asked one man during the 1960's Civil Rights demonstrations, and his photos helped explain WHY. There was no longer any doubt in many people's minds for the need for CHANGE. I have lived what now, after seeing this film, what seems to be such a small life; it makes me wonder in return. I hope Gordon's vision has enabled us all to see the world more clearly and to come to terms with this world and our place in it. Thank you Denzel and Gordon for bringing this story to the screen. How do we all fit into this world, what is our place, and what is our role? These thoughts are with me still. Sincerely, Catherine Todd

This is story that should inspire everyone. Parks was truly an artist of the highest caliber. Most would say he was a renaissance man which is maybe a cliché in today's world. He let the camera capture the real America of his time; he was a pioneer as an African American filmmaker; he was a musician, painterand writer. Artistic talent at its best. While all of this took its toll on his personal relationships, the documentary seems to support that he loved his children and supported them in their endeavors. His Kansas roots certainly did not project the success he was to have throughout his life. We were privileged to have had him for so many years.