To the Editor:
With terrorism, war and other serious issues facing us it is hard to believe that independent film festivals are at all important, but they are.
It is February 2003 and most of us believe that war with Iraq is imminent. The Bush Administration has made its decision and plans to stick to it no matter what transpires. Michael K. Powell (Colin's son) chairman of the Federal Communications Commission continues his deregulation efforts, allowing the giant communications companies to control more entertainment, more news and information services and more print, making diversity of opinions an endangered species.
We are told that in order to protect our nation we must make compromises; the government needs access to our email, telephone conversations and other forms of communication. The First Amendment, as well as other amendments, is being watered down, and the news media, the Fourth Estate, meant to protect our freedoms is busy lobbying the government on their own behalf. What is left but the independent filmmaker? These are the people who take their own funds, have a strong point of view and express what is going on in their own words and pictures.
This is what America is about...this is why we fought wars in the past, to protect these inalienable rights, like freedom of speech. This is what makes us the nation where everyone wants to live.
Robert T. Kesten
(The author runs festivals and orgs including the Director's View Film Festival and the Connecticut Film Society.)
Contact the Variety newsroom at
news@variety.com