wow. i will first say i am a fan of good documentaries. and i don't mean history channel stuff. i mean really good, engaging stories that make you think and possibly change your outlook on life. a time for burning was all of that and more. i think it's hands down the best movie i've seen in a long time. it's raw, it's provacative, it's intense.
the flm centers around the conflict of a lutheran church in omaha nebraska in the 1960s dealing with race relations. specifically, it follows pastor bill youngdahl in his quest to get his congregation to embrace integration. william jersey, the director, said he purposely chose a non-urban, northern state because he didn't want the audience to be able to have the excuse that racism was "just a southern thing". well his point is proven, and proven well.
the reason this film is so good, is because i honestly think it's as objective as it can be. both sides are shown and debated. you get to see more of the struggle within the church because that's the main character, so obviously screen time is skewed towards the church. ernie chambers, who up until recently was a powerful nebraska senator, is the most outspoken, articulate guy in the film. he happens to be a barber at the local barber shop, and the pastor, bill, goes to talk to him about integrating race within the church. some of the debates that happen are just amazing to watch play out. the cinema verite style is beautiful and engaging. it feel so free of manipulation and the story is free to tell itself. this is such a refreshing break from the michael moore style of "documentaries". this is what a documentary should be. it reminded me so much of dark days.
ultimately, i was convicted and challenged. the true colors of all the people in the film were exposed, and it made me question my own prejudices and search my own heart. a brilliant piece of cinema. for those of you who have an aversion to documentaries, try this one out. it's unlike the overwhelming majority of documentaries out there. plus, it's only 58 minutes long. i'm buying it. 5 stinking stars.
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