Anyone who has attended INPUT knows that it is not a film festival or market. Fourteen international colleagues designated as Shop Stewards select programming for the conference and then facilitate discussions in hopes of a lively debate among delegates. As a former Shop Steward, I can tell you that you keep your fingers crossed that the films that you have selected are strong enough to provoke a good discussion.
Two U.S. films featured in the afternoon session "TV and Public Opinion: Enlightenment or Reinforcing Stereotypes" did just that.
"Wham! Bam! Islam!" by director Isaac Solotaroff and "Southern Belle" by Nashville-based independent producers Mary Makley and Kathy Conkwright played to a packed theater on Tuesday afternoon in the blue room. Both discussions inspired compliments and critiques but "Southern Belle" was hit by strong criticism from delegates who seemed to want to see a different film. The observational approach to the film left them dissatisfied. They wanted answers. Kathy Conkwright, who told me having a film at INPUT was on her bucket list, shot back respectfully. The intent of the film was to encourage dialogue - not to tell viewers what to think. This reminded me why the U.S. national panel selected the film in the first place. It might possibly be the perfect INPUT film.
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