Comments on: Gospel Hill: A Good Movie You’ll Never See in Theaters

By: ArtMattan Productions

ArtMattan Productions — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 22:30:55 +0000

Hello All,

Despite much difficulties, “Gospel Hill” will be released at the Quad Cinema in NYC on August 28. Director Giancarlo Esposito will be at the theatre over the weekend. Come see the film on the big screen while you can!

By: Cook

Cook — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 03:28:13 +0000

I watched Goepel Hill last night and it was a great movie.

By: moirafinnie

moirafinnie — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:14:56 +0000

The ongoing impact of civil rights history and our country’s changing economic fortunes on the lives of individuals and communities could not be more timely. Unfortunately, the experience of the moviemakers who created this film is not unique.

Despite the reluctance of commercial interests in seeing a movie as interesting sounding as Gospel Hill to find an audience, I hope that your thoughtful post, the continued vitality of the film festival circuit, and the potential discovery of worthwhile movies on DVDs and cable will help this movie to find those viewers who might appreciate this story’s richness. Rural poverty, spiritual or economic, whether in the South or any other point of the compass in America, remains a largely untold story in our country. I appreciate your well-written post, Suzi, even though I am probably one of those individuals who is most likely to discover this movie on DVD. Thanks for bringing this to my attention.

By: suzidoll

suzidoll — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:03:12 +0000

My main idea was to point out that whatever Esposito’s intent with the film and however well he achieved it is irrelevant if no one gets to see it to instigate a discussion about it. I felt that despite the film’s flaws, it had enough going for it to warrant being seen. Because my job exposes me to the inner workings of film fests and the ins and outs of distribution, I see how dire the situation has become. And, it’s getting worse, not better. If we don’t support these types of films — flaws and all — then they will cease to be made. Then, all of us who are movie-goers and movie-lovers will be left to contend with the likes of YEAR ONE.

By: debbe

debbe — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:54:45 +0000

interesting commentary from shadow and act. you bring up some good points suzidoll… the inability for thoughtful movies to reach an audience, and the main thrust of gospel hill in its exploration of race, culture, community, etc. both are similar in that it has become more difficult for thoughtfful movies about something to reach an audience. i wonder whether the executives are right in passing over a movie like this because it wont find an audience large enough to sustain its distribution. i think that is what you are talking about…. and as you say what a sorry state of affairs. its a shame that film festivals have become the place to see thoughtful important message movies… why arent the suits promoting that? I disagree with shadow and act about the “seems to” remark… that is why it is a dream… to beable to aspire to noble causes. where else do young people learn about such ideas? not in school, not in video games… maybe in movies……..!!! fable or not…. very interesting post. well done. as ever its given me a lot to think about.

By: Shadow And Act

Shadow And Act — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 22:07:33 +0000

In this so-called “post-racial” era, one could say that residents of the town have maybe been influenced by Obama-mania. Despite it’s history of racial intolerance – a history that still lives with some of its aging residents – Gospel Hill and its surrounding town, are full of men and women with virtuous intentions – working and middle class whites and blacks in this small southern society who seem to have embraced MLK’s dream of content of character trumping color of skin. I’m sure people like this exist in the real world; however, to find them all so heavily concentrated in one tiny southern town requires some reach.

Esposito seems to want us all to believe that MLK’s dream is indeed achievable, as well as in the resilience and intellectual insight of younger and future generations – both noble causes certainly. But the key words here are “seems to.”

A decent first effort from director Esposito, and I applaud him for taking the risk. Unfortunately, it doesn’t quite earn the message(s) it wants its audience to take from it.