Todd347
Joined Feb 2004
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Todd347's rating
The film is well done. It was well researched and organized. It is as good a documentary as "The Thin Blue Line," "The Fog of War" or "American Movie." It is one of my top 10 favorite movies. I am an active AA member and a fan of documentaries. I first this film at Chicago's Century Centre Cinema and then at a community college screening with the director present for Q&A. Then, I bought the DVD. There is a big backstory and lore to the AA movement that many of us in AA were not even aware of. For example, Kevin Hanlon interviewed Ernest Kurtz, author of Not-God, a doctoral dissertation and a definitive work on AA history. Few people in AA get beyond AA's basic text, Alcoholics Anonymous. The film can be enjoyed by anyone with an interest in documentaries, but it will have special significance for AA members. And, it had to be made by an outsider. AA itself could never have internally agreed to make this film. It is great to have this bit of history pulled together in a balanced manner.
The documentary seems to miss the whole issue of illegal aliens in this country. Instead, it focuses on racial tensions and demonizes local citizens, while making illegal aliens out to be hardworking saints who are just looking for a piece of the American Dream. It is a completely biased film that tries to distort the real issue - unchecked, massive, illegal immigration that is threatening to destroy this country.
When I checked "Farmingville" out of the local library, I hoped for a look at both sides of the issue. I wanted to see the filmmakers address the issue of the poor Latinos who wanted to work hard, prosper, and make a better life for themselves. I also wanted it to explore the strain that they place on the economy and the local community.
Sure, these guys were born into a poor country. No one is arguing that they would have the same opportunities at home. But, they broke the law to come here. There was very little footage devoted to the fact that the illegal aliens do not respect the law. And, why would we assume that they would be willing to obey any other law? They do not pay taxes after all. They do not pay their health care bills. We do. They certainly do not respect zoning ordinances because they pack at least 25 people in a house.
Again, it was a biased film. The issues mentioned above were covered very briefly, if at all. Instead, the documentary skirted those issues by pointing the finger at the locals, many of whom did not want the illegals in their town. The film skirts some very tough issues by labeling the locals as racists to discredit their arguments. Time and time again, the locals are painted as intolerant hicks, while the illegals are shown in the best possible light. Why didn't they spend any time on the death of a local woman at the hands of an illegal alien drunk driver? Instead, they focused an inordinate amount of the film on an incident where two illegals were beaten.
This movie could have been one of the all time great documentaries if it had showed both sides of the issue. As a documentary, the film was weak. The film as propaganda was fantastic. The filmmakers did a great job in telling a story, but their view was completely one-sided and biased. They tried to discredit some very valid points made by the locals by labeling them as racists. I would recommend that the reader see this film, however, you should definitely keep in mind that there is a lot more to the issue that the filmmakers do not want you to see.
When I checked "Farmingville" out of the local library, I hoped for a look at both sides of the issue. I wanted to see the filmmakers address the issue of the poor Latinos who wanted to work hard, prosper, and make a better life for themselves. I also wanted it to explore the strain that they place on the economy and the local community.
Sure, these guys were born into a poor country. No one is arguing that they would have the same opportunities at home. But, they broke the law to come here. There was very little footage devoted to the fact that the illegal aliens do not respect the law. And, why would we assume that they would be willing to obey any other law? They do not pay taxes after all. They do not pay their health care bills. We do. They certainly do not respect zoning ordinances because they pack at least 25 people in a house.
Again, it was a biased film. The issues mentioned above were covered very briefly, if at all. Instead, the documentary skirted those issues by pointing the finger at the locals, many of whom did not want the illegals in their town. The film skirts some very tough issues by labeling the locals as racists to discredit their arguments. Time and time again, the locals are painted as intolerant hicks, while the illegals are shown in the best possible light. Why didn't they spend any time on the death of a local woman at the hands of an illegal alien drunk driver? Instead, they focused an inordinate amount of the film on an incident where two illegals were beaten.
This movie could have been one of the all time great documentaries if it had showed both sides of the issue. As a documentary, the film was weak. The film as propaganda was fantastic. The filmmakers did a great job in telling a story, but their view was completely one-sided and biased. They tried to discredit some very valid points made by the locals by labeling them as racists. I would recommend that the reader see this film, however, you should definitely keep in mind that there is a lot more to the issue that the filmmakers do not want you to see.
What you don't understand is that Mike and Mark have both been to numerous Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. That is the background and inspiration for "Coven." From what you have seen in "American Movie," you may have realized that Mike Shank is a recovering drug abuser. Borschardt has had his share of spins with the bottle.
The "Coven" meetings are far-fetched, but they are not entirely baseless. AA meetings are one-sided, and AA members have a monopoly on the TRUTH. If an outsider goes to one, then it is taken as a given that he has erred and ruined his life. It is a very grueling process to become involved in AA, and the results are mixed at best. Many people recover better with no attendance at all.
"Coven" is Borschardt's spin on AA.
The "Coven" meetings are far-fetched, but they are not entirely baseless. AA meetings are one-sided, and AA members have a monopoly on the TRUTH. If an outsider goes to one, then it is taken as a given that he has erred and ruined his life. It is a very grueling process to become involved in AA, and the results are mixed at best. Many people recover better with no attendance at all.
"Coven" is Borschardt's spin on AA.