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			STRANGER WITH A CAMERA

Tell us what you think about STRANGER WITH A CAMERA.

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01/25/2009

It is indeed appalling to me that the US Gov't would commission a film that mocks and ridicules the life and lifestyle of those who are different in affluence and education, by featuring a few living modestly-within their means and yet content and free- to seize the occasion to exploit the cultural and economic differences for the sole purpose of electing themselves to elite and arrogant dictator status who would condemn others to justify themselves. They think they should be divinely appointed to be Supreme Leaders of Humanity so they can make decisions for us all because we are too incompetent and way too free to decide for ourselves.

12/20/2008

This is probably one of the most insightful and best documentaries I\'ve ever seen. It so methodically (and yet pretty lyrically also) presents both sides of this terrible tragedy and, to me, that\'s what a documentary should do. Thank you so much for making this film and making me think while doing it in a such a non-didactic way.

12/05/2008

The law of the land,in this case Hobart was the owner. To this day some mourn the loss of a film ridiculing Kentucky,specifically Hobart Ison. So much so they made a film about it. The key to understanding the incident is jury tampering to secure a conviction,it's shockingly obvious...
The residents knew what O'Connor was up to. Hobart was the guy O'Connor was harrassing,it wasn't random chanch that O'Connor turned up at the Hobart farm. You can see this in the revelations of "Eccentricities". In the end O'Connor paid for his Hubris. Hobart,ever the classicist. Shed some light on the matter and the film makers intent for you?

06/18/2008

The film moved me deeply. The aftermath of any incident is no time for \'should\' statements. Fate brings people together for better or for worst just like marriage. I was moved by Mr. O\'Connor\'s daughter and the gracious conclusion she came to. We human beings must learn to be kind to one another and cease this us versus them destructive behavior. We have managed to create a hell here on this blessed earth and we must learn to bring down heaven by respecting each other and showing some human feelings when dealing with each other. The film maker is to be commended for making the film.

02/06/2008

WOW! This film works on so many levels. So many questions to think about. I can\'t help but compare this incident to what is happening in Hollywood with semi- celebs. Just saw the film tonight and Barret answered questions after. This film will be with me the rest of my life. Thanks for a great piece of art.

12/17/2007

...dear lords the shooting was just stupid.The guy was going away as ison asked, turns around to tell him they are going.and what happens?he shoots him.I can see it from isons point of veiw, but even from there the shooting seemed ridiculosely uneeded, and outright barbaris.Personally, i think ison should have served 20 years in the can o.O.anyone want to argue with this?post above xD

10/10/2007

I moved to Letcher County in 1977 and my first place of residence was a rental in Jeremiah,Ky.One of the first people I became acquainted with was an elderly man, who lived just down the road. His name was Hobert Ison. I found it very strange how he befriended me for no apparent reason. He would leave fresh vegetables at my door-step or just come by to show me some of his old photographs. He rarely spoke. It was nearly two months before I learned about the murder of the journalist in 1967.

10/31/2006
Diligent Reporter

What happened in September of 1967 is a tragedy of the human experience. Hugh OíConnor was, by all accounts, a good man. He had done nothing wrong. True, perhaps he could have approached Ison beforehand, but how would he have known? I think what Ibsen did was inexcusable. The camera is, without a doubt, a weapon and it was being used as such, but OíConnorís camera wasnít used for personal gain. His camera was wielded in the name of justice. He wasnít out to seek pity for the people but to show the truth of a people who persevered despite abuse. Tragedies like this one play the world over and throughout history. In this case, the set was smaller, a worn old porch in Kentucky, but the players were the same: ignorance and suspicion.

01/18/2006
Matt

Houston, TX

I can see how people in KY would be upset about media portrayal. But that and the murder are two separate things. I refuse to link them together in a cause and effect relationship. You can say it's not justification but in a way it is. The man shot O'Connor in cold blood. To use the situation with the media to explain that crime is like saying a rape victim who is scantily clad sorta had it coming. I don't care where in the US you live, murder is still extremely against the law (and I think) extremely wrong.

12/30/2005
Mark O'Connor
Calgary

Good Reading, but I thought the Film, Elizabeth Barret's "STRANGER WITH A CAMERA" was a bit SHORT, to the story my Father was trying to tell. Mark O'Connor

12/19/2005
Toronto

It's sad that a man should lose his life because he did not know that the owner of a property was not the tenant he had respectfully asked permission prior to photographing. The property owner took offence to an unintended, but perceived slight, the way all armed,homocidal jerks do with murderous violence.

12/06/2005
rossi

sd

The act itself, a man killing an unarmed as he is walking away, self-defeats his act of defending his honor. Hobart Ison's act not only justifies O'connor's ambitions for his documentary, but unfortunately stains the image of Eastern Kentucky that Ison seeks to preserve. Ironic.

11/05/2005
Derrick Ison-Fowler
Michigan

Hello, I'm a distant relative of this Hobart Ison fellow. I just recently learned of crime and of the documentary, though I haven't had to opportunity to view it. I talked with my Mother (M.Ison of Isom, KY) about this fellow and she remembers him and the incident pretty well though we were all living outside Detroit, MI. at the time. It's obvious to anyone that there is NO justification what so every for Mr. Ison's behavior, nor is their any justification for the pathetic sentence he received. But as other's have stated, the extremely unfair and biased way the media has portrayed (and still does) the people of Eastern, KY helped to turn this tragedy into the miscarriage of justice it ultimately became. Hobart Ison bears the responsibility for the murder of Mr. O'Connor but the Media shares a great deal of the responsibility for the sympathy many in the area had for Ison and made possible his avoiding justice.

08/30/2005
Susan Laurie
British Columbia, Canada

My boyfriend and his brother were shot at by Ison when they were just boys doing young boy stuff and in this case it was throwing rocks at one of Ison's chickens. My boyfriend's sister witnessed the shooting, was appalled by it and will not speak about it to this day although she did do an interview for the documentary after the fact. If we all shot people for such stupid reasons, we would all be dead. Ison said himself he was just worried about how it would make HIM look, nothing about protecting the image of the Appalachian people. He was known and feared as an evil and dangerous man, he lived up to that image of himself. We have law enforcement, they should have been called in by Ison, but he did things his way, not the legal right way. One year in jail was an insult to O'Connor's family. I hope they have found peace.

08/30/2005

my name is dj (modern problems) i dont really know what went on at jeremiah ky that day of the shooting's .. but i think if ya take someone's life you need to pay the price not just a year in the pin!! the way i see it the camera man didnt do anything wrong maybe trying to help us here in ky. i just wish the two could have talked it out and shuck hands....well i hope nothing like that happens again !!!! peace to all!!!!!!

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