I wanted to remind you all to watch the documentary "The Amish" on American Experience (PBS) this coming Tuesday, February 28 from 8 to 10 pm, ET. It's a good idea to check your local listings. You can watch a preview of the film by clicking here.
David and I've had a chance to view the film and show clips of it at book talks. Our own impressions have been mirrored by others who have seen the film -- that this is a a thoughtful and insightful rendition of "The Amish." Much of the film is done in the voices of current members of various Amish communities. The cinematography is so beautiful, with meaningful symbolism throughout.
So, I hope you get to see the film. If you happen to miss it on Tuesday, it will be available on their website after airing nationally.
I hope you tune in to your PBS station on Tuesday, February 28 from 8 to 10 pm.
Below are two behind-the-scenes shots of the day of our interview with the film crew.
Me in the hot seat, the camera man (with his face obscured) and the sound man
Our entrance the day of the interview
Thank you for sharing this...I watched the clip and loved it. Blessings
ReplyDeleteThank you! I didn't know this was airing. Setting my DVR so I dont miss it. :O)
ReplyDeleteI will not miss it for the world!
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Joanne
I'm hoping nothing comes up and I have the opportunity to watch this show on Tuesday evening. However, I'm happy to know I will be able to catch it later if need be. Nancy
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your comments and your blog; your experiences and those of others greatly enhanced the quality and depth of the presentation.
ReplyDeleteMost of my grandparents were all raised Amish. They all encouraged their children and grandchildren to be educated. Fortunately, they and most of their families left the Amish church together, so that they did not experience shunning as you did.
Ann, Cincinnati, Ohio
I have been thinking about the PBS Show on the Amish. I think they featured the non-Amish “experts” way too much and not the former Amish. But one particular story told by an anthropologist bothered me a great deal.
ReplyDeleteIt was the story of the man who was talking about his way of life and pointed to a field, and said that it belonged to his neighbor. He and his neighbor both had sons the same age. He confidently said “One day my son will own that farm.”
The anthropologist happily announced that he was right! The neighbor’s son grew up to be an professional Engineer and he took a job that laid pipe in South America. While the Amish son bought and owned the neighbor’s farm. She seemed so pleased.
What she failed to recognize and address is that the neighbor’s son had the CHOICE to stay and take over the farm, or he could seek out further education, and pursue his dreams. He elected to pursue his dreams, and it took him to foreign lands where he got to see different cultures, and work on projects that must have been very interesting. But the Amish son had little choice. He was limited by a substandard education and could not seek his dreams without being shunned and giving up his family and community.
The anthropologist completely failed to recognize that the Amish boy was saddled with a restrictive culture that would not allow him a choice or an equal opportunity.