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A TALK WITH LOUIS SCHWARTZBERG
by Michael Smith
Reviewer and Forum Administrator.
E-mail Michael Smith
Mike works in the shipping container industry, and serves as Prayer Deacon and liturgy coordinator with his wife Sandy at Harambee Church in Tukwila, Washington.

I had the distinct honor of an interview with Louis Schwartzberg. To speak with him about his movie, America's Heart and Soul, you'd think you've just witnessed the inauguration of a life's work.

Does the thought of living off the land seem like a long-ago distant lifestyle we can never go back to? We think of an era in which we were dependent on the quality of the soil, the caprice of the weather, the hard work of our hands and the passion in our souls. In the movie America's Heart and Soul, Director Louis Schwartzberg makes the case that living off the land is not just still attainable, but unavoidable. And passion is the first listed ingredient. He makes the case that without this passion we really aren't living at all. In fact, he asserts, the land in which we live augments those passions. We are shaped both by our surroundings and by our human environment. This is the "land of the free and the home of the brave." We have a spiritual connection with our piece of land.

Mr. Schwartzberg has said that "we're connected by a deeper bond than I'd ever imagined." The bond is our passion for living, and our spiritual connection to the land. I think he's right. Recall farmers who won't leave the farm. Even though weather cycles have made farming difficult in their area, they wouldn't think of leaving. Or witness my first visit to New York: I did the tourist thing and rode the boat around New York Harbor and the Statue of Liberty. On the same tour were a gentleman and his companion. When they heard I was from the West Coast, they proceeded to take me on a verbal journey of the history and beauty that was New York. He loved New York. This was a spiritual moment. I loved it. I connected with a man whose name I don't even know. Someone I will never forget.

Mr. Schwartzberg wants us to connect with each other in a similar way -- in the way he connected with his new friends. Schwartzberg connected to the people in his film as a result of spending time with them. So he lets us spend time with them, too. He wants us to see what he saw by sharing some time with people who have been shaped by their little piece of the country. He hopes we will throw away our prejudices by seeing what normal everyday people do to make them local yet obscure heroes. These connections will enable us to be more tolerant of each other.

His film shows us that living off the land is more than living a rural life on the farm. We are shaped by the land called "the city" too. We meet people who have a spiritual connection and passion for swerving in and out of busy Manhattan traffic. During my talk with Schwartzberg I'd told him that I walked away in love with each person depicted. I believe I couldn't have paid his film a bigger compliment.

Was there one identifiable quality that each of these people had in common? "Their passion and connection to the land," was the answer, without hesitation. I spoke also with Paul Baribault of Disney. He answered this question with the following: Almost everyone in the film was involved in pre-release screenings. Their invariable response was words to the effect: "Those are pretty extraordinary people. Why was I in this film?" We might call that humility.

But one mistake we tend to make is to assume that our life is meaningful only if we think it so. It seems that the opposite is true. What we consider "no big deal" is often our what others find to be our endearing quality or distinguishing ability. Our life becomes a gift to others. Schwartzberg has said, "I didn't shape the material; it shaped me." I can see that.

I was touched by the deep emotion that came from this man toward these astonishing people and the country in which they live. His movie carefully avoids political statements. It is illogical to even suggest that it is partisan. It's about us, all of us. It's about passion and living.

Mr. Schwartzberg speaks with a passion about this project. He was shaped anew by the process of filming America's Heart and Soul. He says he rode an emotional roller coaster thoughout America and he wanted to share his experiences with us. Louis Schwartzberg loves America! He's not afraid to say it. He now has a vehicle to show us why.

This is an exhilarating movie. It gives us new respect for the people that make this country great: everyday folks. This is a documentary about ordinary people doing extraordinary things. And if you're one of those people to whom life has become a drudgery of mandates and obligations, I think you will be encouraged by this movie. Those documented in this film are truly living. They march to the proverbial different drummer. They are the thrill seekers that live among us, people who listen to a different economy and a different system of reward. Their reward is in the doing of their "thing," from making ice cream, to stunt-flying airplanes, milking cows seven days a week (is it all workdays, or is it all weekends?), to metal sculpting, to [insert your own special ability or interest here].

America's Heart and Soul makes us realize there is more to life than mere existence. Harold Whitman's quote is appropriate now and is especially so regarding the lives of those chronicled in this film. Films so often portray the unrealistic "heroes" of our age. We want to do the different things, the special things that are depicted in so many movies. The problem is that the heroes depicted really are larger than life. We don't buy the story because we know "this is only a movie."

But this time, I saw myself in some of these people. I cared about them. I related to them. They have a wonder in their eyes, a fire in their bellies. They exude love and passion in their purest forms. They say words like "passion to create," "heart," "love," "desire," "joy," "surprise," and "live my dreams."

This world could certainly use a few more people that have come alive as they have. And you may walk away from this movie thinking thoughts like: ".maybe I'll try making furniture again." ".I think I will go back to school and learn to teach, at 45!" ".Honey, where is my old trombone?" (Begin reverie now...)

Our culture admires self-denial. It seems noble and generous. But do we really admire self-denial? Don't some of us just resent others because we are unfulfilled in our pursuits and careers? This movie shows us that self-centered fulfillment is at least preferable to resentment, jealousy and self-loathing. I was struck by how often those that were spotlighted here brought so much pleasure to others simply because they were bringing pleasure to themselves. Moreover, many of them obviously felt grateful for this joy. There was an almost awkward quality to the way some described their gratitude. Some had personal heroes who inspired them. Others had devastating discouragement in their past. None spouted popular self-help themes. They were surprisingly not self absorbed. There seemed to be an "other" focus about their passions. Their fulfillment was much more than they could have envisioned for themselves. In short their lives were a sample of a meaningful life. Who do you thank for that?

We can start with thanking the director of America's Heart and Soul, film archivist Louie Schwartzberg. Many documentaries tend to be manipulative or at least contrived. This film, although in the documentary style, does not appear insincere at all. It's almost like a camera was set on a tripod and America passed by in all its glory. America is refreshing as it is presented in the purest form of diversity -- people doing what they love, with their own personality and passion. The obvious reward is in the doing of it. Without the interference or "help" of either government or business, these Americans go about their lives fulfilling their deepest callings. Their passion and love of life are indeed inspiring.

Okay, maybe you will be manipulated. The old heart strings may vibrate. Be happy that you have the strings to manipulate. You'll never get a warm feeling from anything if you don't have the strings to play inside anyway. This is one film you need to bring your family to. Bring your troubled teen looking for purpose. Heck, bring yourself. Talk about this movie with each other. Feel good about what you've witnessed. Because when you leave the theatre you may want to head in a different direction. Then, go ahead. Dance to that different drummer!

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