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Email
From Viewers
The following were written to
James Ronald Whitney |
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I
don't think I've ever cried so hard as when that little boy
was hugging his daddy after the news was broken to him. I
was close to death 2-1/2 years ago and have a five-year old
son. Your movie made me realize how much my little boy needs
me and it changed my life. I'm still crying over Nicholas.
Can't we get an update on him?
Ody
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I
never heard of James Ronald Whitney until last night. My favorite
weekly shows on TV weekly are 7th Heaven which aires on Monday
nights and Six Feet Under which of course aires on Sunday nights
at 8pm. I began watching HBO's follow up to Six Feet Under (Undercover)
just because I thought it had a really good concept with the
quality of shows that it began. Before I knew it, I was hooked.
It became a "bonus" because there just wasn't anything else
that was as interesting on Sunday nights. Now that you know
all of my viewing schedules, please allow me to introduce myself
and tell you where I am located on this God forsaken world that
we call home.
I am 38 yrs. old. I have 2 children (1 that is 19 and 1 who
is 14). I have been divorced for 2 1/2 yrs. and am a nurse.
Now, the big part... I am a proverbial "southern Belle" residing
always in the south. I live in Northeast Mississippi. Before
you prejudge, please let me impose on you that I am not the
typical "Jerry Springer" guest topic. I get so aggravated that
we as southern people get tossed into the same "hick" pool as
some people believe that southern people come from. I am definitely
not saying that they are true. I have relatives that live in
the "hills" as most people refer to. These people live without
running water or electricity (yes, these people still exist!).
These people at times are my idols. They are able to survive
things in life that most people take for granted and at times
in my life... I have been in envy of them. Mostly for the simplicity
of it. I mean... if you don't have all of the luxuries of life
then how in the world would you miss it?! They are wonderful
people with good values and I love them!
Now that I have completely bored you to tears with my life feelings
and etiquette... please allow me to express my feelings on the
show that I watched last night... yours.
I was at home when 9/11 occurred. It was coming up on the anniversary
of my Grandmother's death the next day (9/12). She was the glue
that has always held me together and that morning, I was lying
on the couch. I was about to get up to pack to go to her house
in Tennessee to pack all of her things up in her house when
a news break came through on the TV. I along with my roommate
was devastated along with the rest of the country. I was glued
to the tube with the exception of the drive to her house at
all times. I knew then that I had lived and experienced a part
of history that will be the worst tragedy in history as we know
it! Anything from that moment on, was interesting to me. Any
specials, any ground breaking results that CNN may broadcast,
anything that had some connection to the families, coworker,
friends, architectures, history, etc. In this 8 months, I have
watched many things.... MANY!
Until last night, I eventually thought that I had watched everything
that would catch my eye, heart, and tears.... Until last night.
Last night, I watched your "special" on HBO. I was so caught
up into it that I couldn't move. I was actually drawn into it!
The whole concept of how that you picked Michelle and Nicholas
out of the thousands of other flyers and then followed the story
for 10 days was so wonderful. You followed the family with the
good part of the story as well as the most terrible. You also
followed the family of Mr. Ahmed. There could be no other documentary
that would ever come close to what you have done. You also had
so many friends that died along with the thousands of others.
You also gave them praise and kindness with the story. I am
so imposed with the idea that you are going to be awarded such
greatness for opening so many thousands people's minds with
your work. For me, I have nothing to offer you except thanks
from the bottom of my heart. Actually thanks wouldn't even come
close. Maybe one day, I will know exactly what to offer you
for the feelings that I have come away with from this film.
Thank you again for the feeling that you have given me inside.
Your friend,
Beverly |
Brilliant
film! However--what happened to Cindy? Is she better? And while
I was glad Nicholas is with his dad, Do you think a Christian
school is the best idea. I'm afraid of the intolerance of some
so called christian religions. Especially after jerry falwell's
comments regarding 9/11.æ Thanks for listening.
Best of luck
Diane |
Man,
your last film (Telling Nicolas) was great. One of the purest
things I've ever seen on film. I lost a former co-worker and
friend on the first plane that hit the towers, this film really
hit me hard. I am new to your work, is there anyway for folks
to buy or find your other docs for sale? I love film, but am
deeply entranched in the .com world, or what's left of it (heh)
and never get to see much in the way of festival film.
Peace
and GL
Dewey |
I
saw the film "Telling Nicholas" on Sunday evening and I thought
it was wonderful.
My name is Dawn and I am a grief therapist in Alexandria, Virginia.
I was speech writer for ten years until I worked on a book project
regarding children and grief. My father died when I was thirteen
and I was shocked to learn how much my life had been affected
by that event. It was then that I decided to get my masters
and become a grief therapist.
The events of 9/11 have certainly changed our society's view
of grief. I have written an article for my website expressing
my frustration on how we handle children at a time of tragedy.
I hold focus groups with adults who have experienced an early
loss. You can visit my website to see some of the results from
the groups. I have attached my article as well. If I can help
with any future stories that you decide to present regarding
children and loss, I would love to be of assistance.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Dawn |
|
both
of your documentaries, the first about your family and the
last about Nicholas. they were gut wrenching and i had to
watch Nicholas' and Michele's story through my fingers. you
certainly do know how to cover the dark side.
thanks
to you and sheila nevins for both.
Mendy
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I
saw "Telling Nicholas" on Sunday night when it first aired.
I was telling my sister about it yesterday. She doesn't have
HBO and I insisted she come over today to watch it with me again.
The two of sat in tears the entire time. My sincere thanks to
such a wonderfully told story. (I especially loved the way Thanbir
and Nicholas were brought together). I'll look for you work
in the future.
Best Regards,
Michele |
| I
just wanted to tell you never have I been so emotionally moved
by any kind of movie tv show or anything else that i havent
experienced first hand until watching "telling nicholas" on
HBO. Normally when watching tv i am flipping from channel to
channel and cant stay on one station for more than a few minutes
but that is not the case here. Not only was I glued to my tv
set the first time I saw it, but the 2nd time as well. Enough
of me rambling I just wanted to say DAMN! what a job, you are
one talented guy. Good luck on everything you do in the future,
any success you may receive is well deserved. |
I
just wanted to let you know that is the best documentary I have
ever seen. I do not have enough words to describe how I feel.
Thank you. I will tell everyone I know to be sure and watch
"Telling Nicholas". I hope the proceeds from this film go towards
the 10,000 children who lost one or both parents in the 9/11
tragedy. Again thank you.
Marian |
As
someone who lost good friends and clients in the trade centers,
I must tell you how touching and moving "Telling Nicholas" is
. You are to be commended for such a passionate work. God Bless
You, for your strength and vision. My best to you,
Pat |
I
just finished watching Telling Nicholas on HBO and felt compelled
to write to you. As a nurse in the operating room of an upper
east side Manhattan hospital, I was touched by September 11th
events by being on alert with no patients to care for. As a
resident of Manhattan I was touched by September 11th by living
in the city and having friends who live and work around the
World Trade Center and wondering what was happening to them
and what would happen to all of us. I have avoided the September
11th related shows in the last few months. They are just too
painful for me to watch. For some reason I was drawn to Telling
Nicholas. Your film brought me into the world of the victims'
families with honesty and great sensitivity. Thanks for allowing
me to see what so many families have suffered through in recent
months and in turn helping me to deal with my own grief. You
must be a very special man.
With Thanks,
Sam |
I
saw this film at the Doubletake/Full Frame Documentary Film
Festival and again tonight on HBO, alone this time, and free
to emote as much as I wanted. Thank you so much for making this
and for allowing me and all the other people who see it to participate
in these families' losses, it really was cathartic. I moved
to New York on September 8th from Alabama, to Brooklyn Heights,
right by the East River, where the big loud boom woke me up
and made me turn on the t.v., and I really had no idea how to
contextualize or understand what was happening in this city
with this tragedy. I saw people crowding over the Brooklyn Bridge
into our neighborhood covered in soot and looking dazed, and
that was about the most visceral experience I had. Like other
people who've written you, I had a huge urge to feel more than
I was feeling, to have it hit me more personally, and as empathetic
as I tried to be, I couldn't muster the sincere emotion that
I saw and felt all around me. I didn't leave the neighborhood
for about a week, and when I did, Manhattan felt like a war
zone and I couldn't wait to retreat back to the comforts of
Brooklyn.
Anyway, this and the other documentaries I saw in the 9/11 series
at Full Frame, but mainly this, just brought it all home for
me, made it personal, made me feel a part of what had happened,
which is probably the most important thing it did. It opened
my eyes to the experiences of the people that I've been living
among for the last nine months. I moved to New York to pursue
documentary filmmaking, and this is the perfect example of why
I love the work so much; it's the most important work I feel
I can do, and the most interesting and exciting and with the
most potential for opening people's eyes to so many different
things, so many stories to tell, and I really admire the way
you told this one, an extremely important document of an event
that will be remembered for centuries. I look at your other
films and realize that they have all been intensely personal,
private, heartwrenching, and unapologetically revealing and
honest, and they don't hesitate to slap you in the face and
wake you up from an often unintentional complacency. Nice job.
I'm glad you've been able to use your camera in such a way,
and I hope you continue to do so. It takes balls and a lot of
self-awareness and honesty, and I admire you for having the
courage and conviction to do the work you've done.
Thank you,
Chris |
I
wanted to tell you that your film "Telling Nicholas" was one
of the best most powerful films I have ever watched.
I live in Las Vegas so I have always felt somewhat removed from
the horrors of 9/11. Even though I watched many T.V. programs
and newscasts I never really got a feel for the emotional toll
that day took on the families until I watched your film. I almost
felt that I was part of the family, feeling their pain. I have
a two year old, and could not imagine him going through what
Nicholas has been and will continue to go through.
I wanted to email you to thank you for creating such a wonderful
film that will I will always remember. Because of you, this
little boy and his family have so many more prayers for them
every day from the thousands of people that have watched this
film. Also, please pass along to Michele's family that there
are lots of entries in a death notice guest book for Michele
that I found on WWW.BostonGlobe.Com (under death notices-special
tribute). I am assuming that link is on other sites as well,
that is just where I happened upon it.
Once again, congratulations for a wonderful, inspirational,
and creative film. I look forward to seeing more of your work
in the future!
Warm regards,
Lisa |
I
have had the pleasure of watching you movie "Telling Nicholas"
this evening. I say this with reservation as I normal watch
movies for entertainment, although this time was different.
I had seen the preview cips and really wanted to get a more
real life understanding of what happened to families of those
who perished on 9/11.
I am a mother of a 6 year old daughter, I live on the other
side of the country in Mesa, AZ. Although I am so far away I
was deeply affected by this tragedy. Your film showed the real
side of grief and how it not only affects the adults but the
children. I applaud your profesionalism and your willingness
to do what so few have wanted to do in the wake of this horrible
day. I wanted to say thank you for making me cry and maybe making
more people aware of what hate does to those left behind. I
am hopeful that your film can bring awarness to the children
that were left without parents.
I wish you the best in your career and will keep watching for
your next project.
Thank you again
Michelle |
I just saw your documentary "Telling Nicholas," and wanted to thank you for the work you did. It was a beautiful documentary, and it was important for me to share that with you somehow.
My brother was in the Pentagon when it was hit on Sept. 11th, and fortunately, he escaped unharmed. I've been engrossed by this attack since then, and have travelled to Boston, NYC and Virginia to take in the reality of it all. Your documentary provided an additional human element that is helping me adjust to so many changes.
Again, Thank you for your work and for sharing it.
Sincerely.
Stacy |
I
wanted to drop you a note to let you know your film "Telling
Nicholas" moved me beyond words. I am a publicist and often
times do not have the opportunity to watch television or films
but today I happen to be home relaxing when I came upon the
film.
I believe schools across America should be showing this film
now more than ever. It is definitely not easy to watch and viewers
should expect an outpouring of emotions but it is a story that
needs to be seen but young and old alike. In the day and age
that we live where children are exposed to so much violence
and hatred with very little after thought I believe this film
could help people understand that for every action there is
a reaction and violence/hatred affect countless lives....
If you need any assistance in spreading the word please let
me know. As I mentioned I am a publicist in Los Angeles and
if you are interested in a screening out here I can help put
the word out.
Feel free to contact me or pick my brain for any ideas....
Best regards,
Ben |
I
have just finished watching the documentary on HBO about Nicholas,
whose mother was a victim of the Sept. 11th incident. I am deeply
touched by this story and my symphaty goes to Nicholas' family,
especially NIcholas himself. He is a very strong little guy.
I am so suprised of how he took the horrible news and his reaction
to it all. He is such a sweet little boy. I hope the best for
him.
Anyway, I am writing this today to ask for the lyrics of the
theme song. The song is beautifully written. I thank you very
much for taking time to read my email. Also, is there any way
you can send me the transcript of the Oprah Show?
Sincerely,
Dung |
It
has been a while since I have written anyone a fan letter. I
think the last one I wrote was in 1988, I was 12...
But I just watched "Telling Nicholas" on HBO and I had to let
you know how much I admired your work. I was quite awestruck
by your film and so deeply affected.
New York holds a very special place in my heart. I was born
and raised on Long Island and moved into NYC when I was 20.
A few years ago I relocated to Los Angeles and have missed the
city ever since. On 9/11, after watching hope fall from the
sky, my heart was broken. I was so scared. I felt so helpless,
powerless. So small. So far away. I couldn't do anything but
wipe away tears and stare at the TV in shock. It amazes me that
on that day, after you witnessed people plummet from the buildings
while your neighborhood literally crumbled around you, you were
able to summon your strength, maintain focus and channel horror,
sadness and fear into a very touching, real film. While you
captured the indescribable tragedy of the attacks, you also
showed so much of the love and hope that has risen as an unexpected
byproduct of hate and terrorism. If anything good has come from
that day, it is your film. For that, I thank you. I do hope
you keep up the excellent work.
Sincerely,
Lauren |
I'm
sorry to just send you e-mail out of the blue, but I just saw
"Telling Nicholas" and had to write you.
You are first and foremost an amazing story-teller. But secondly,
your editing and direction on the film were superb. There was
basically nothing wrong with your film -- and a whole lot right.
It was intense, yet extremely careful and poignant. It was a
brilliant portrayal of a real-world situation, yet you also
were able to inject yourself into the story in a way that really
worked.
I consider myself to be a harsh critic of film-making (as a
gourmand, not a connoisseur if that analogy makes sense to you
:-)), and it's rare that someone puts together a work that scores
this high on my internal scale.
You kick ass.
Thank you for adding value to my world.
Steve
P.S. Two of my favorite juxtapositions (only after one watching;
I'm sure I'll find more later) -- (1) the transition from the
angry grandmother cursing all Muslims, to the Bangladesh-American
boy was brilliant (BRILLIANT); and (2) the comical transition
out of the loooong diatribe of the crazy sister during lunch
(man, you really didn't have to work hard to get her to expose
her insanity :-)). And of course, these comments not meant to
imply I missed the meat of your work -- just two little things
I really remember. |
I
watched your HBO film earlier today. I wanted to send you a
quick note to tell you that I was so impressed by your work.
This documentary was so powerful. Your talents are much appreciated.
I hope all is well with Nicholas and the entire Lanza family.
Continue your excellent work, James.
Warmest Regards,
Tom |
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From Viewers |
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©
2001-02 James Ronald Whitney
See the Web sites for the director's other films:
Just, Melvin,
TheWorkingGirl.com and
Games People Play: New York
Comments or questions about the Web site contact the WebMaster at
www.SolutionsWebDesign.net
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