I saw Chicago KNOCKING screening and discussion afterward with filmaker

by OnTheWayOut 25 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  OnTheWayOut

  What was this guys motivation for making this film?

  He was asked that. I don't think he ducked the question, but I don't recall a clear answer.
  His mother is a JW, he seemed to want to film something that would get his career kicking
  and something he was able to be somewhat of an expert on. He has won awards for this and
  hopes it leads to more work, so I think he was honest about his reasons.

  Without directly saying so, it was for fame and fortune. We all want one or both of those.

  if there is at least any pro-jw thing about it, I will make my voice heard.

  I thought I would make my voice heard, too. While I commented more than most, I softened
  after seeing it. You might not. There is a tendancy to normalize these folks. You might not
  like that, but I tried to view that from the non-JW point of view. Nothing can normalize them, so
  it could never reach that goal.

  The sister of the liver transplant patient saying (warning- oversimplification on my part) that if her
  brother dies, there's still the resurrection hope, so everything will be okay- that doesn't look
  normal to an outsider. There was a thread on here where someone said a JW was thrilled that
  his worldly family all passed away before Armageddon, so they have a resurrection hope. My
  mother said almost the same about her parents. That's not normal- saying I am glad they died
  sooner rather than later, so I can see them later. Warped. That's what most viewers will get.
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  Elsewhere

  I think about 25 were JW's. I noticed that they didn't participate in the discussion, but listened. Discussion lasted about 40 minutes.

  This is because they didn't have the questions and subsequent answers printed in a magazine form and sitting in front of them.
• 

  OnTheWayOut

  Their web site itself is very slanted too.

  I fully agree. We gotta realize, though, that mostly anti-JW's will go to the website.
  Why would many viewers of the PBS show want to go there? Most people don't.

  Have many of you gone to a website about the Mormons after seeing the documentary?
  I went to PBS about it, but not for long.

  I don't think the filmmaker realized the strong sentiment against JW's, but he will learn.
  Does that mean he will change his site? He has tapered it down some but not really.
  He might want more cooperation from JW's if he is offered more documentary work, so
  he will possibly stay a bit pro-JW. Always consider the money as the driving force.
• 

  OnTheWayOut

  I think about 25 were JW's. I noticed that they didn't participate in the discussion, but listened. Discussion lasted about 40 minutes.

  This is because they didn't have the questions and subsequent answers printed in a magazine form and sitting in front of them.

  Your joke is so true. They probably didn't want to say publicly that they were pleased or displeased. Mother would want
  to tell them what to think.

  As a fader, who spoke his mind during the discussion, I did not want to hang around and have JW's asking me anything.
  "Who do you know?" "Why did you mention Jimmy Swaggart?" Stuff like that. I just ducked right out the door as soon as
  discussions ended.

  Even when Joel said that he thinks pioneers engage in 60 hours a month of "knocking" I was the one who said "70" before
  any JW could correct him. I did not raise my hand when he asked how many JW's are here. I imagine there were a few others
  in my situation there who were afraid to speak out or identify themselves. I took a chance, but didn't worry about it.
• 

  OnTheWayOut

  it is a great opportunity for ExJWs to have a discussion with them as a captive audience.

  True, but the average audience will do that for you. I doubt that too many JW's in an
  audience would want to start defending the Borg after this film. I am sure that there
  will be some pioneers that go, then count their time by defending the faith. But,
  overall, the film will be a fluff piece to the fully loyal JW.
• 

  OnTheWayOut

  Here's the official answer similar to what I was told about WT cooperation.

  It can be found at http://www.knocking.org/Watchtowers_Role.html

  The New York-based Watchtower Society directs the worldwide ministry of Jehovah's Witnesses. It publishes the Watchtower magazine and other religious books and journals distributed by Jehovah's Witnesses. Viewers who would like to know more about the role of the Watchtower Society in the production of KNOCKING may call Watchtower at 718-560-5600 (weekdays between 8am and 5pm Eastern time). KNOCKING is an independent film production. Watchtower cooperated with the film's producers, providing them with archival material, granting interviews and permitting their cameras access to Watchtower's headquarters. KNOCKING's camera crews were also allowed to film at a district convention of Jehovah's Witnesses, inside local Kingdom Halls and accompany Witnesses in the door-to-door visitation work. Watchtower provided no funding for this project. Funding sources included the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, foundation grants and individual donations. (see list of funders on "Credits" page). Watchtower had no editorial control over the program, but the producers provided an advance courtesy screening of the completed film.