Thursday, January 5, 2012
Responding to The Laramie Project
Now that you’ve finished watching The Laramie Project, I’d like you to take five minutes and reflect on your initial response to the film. What was it like for you to watch it? How would you characterize your response to it? What do you think the film’s main point is? What claim do you see it making about its subject matter?
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It's difficult to characterize my initial response to The Laramie Project. The film was definitely supposed to be very emotional, and I think it did a great job of portraying the intended emotions. In fact, this is the very reason why it was difficult to enjoy the movie. There wasn't really any sort of happy ending. Actually, it was difficult to associate any sort of happiness towards the movie because the movie was based off a real event that simply didn't contain any happiness. Even when the two murderers were found guilty and given life sentences, the sense of justice felt drowned out by the fact that Matthew Shepard was not going to just suddenly come back to life.
ReplyDeleteThe Laramie Project is an emotion packed and emotionally driven story. It portrays those who were affected by the murder of Matthew Shepard in way that shows the conglomeration of opinions in the town. In many ways, the creators of the Project left ambiguity within the film in that they did not have a clear bias towards one opinion or the other. They almost made it possible to feel pity for both the treatment of Matthew, but also for the treatment of Henderson and McKinney. Also, they left the story ambiguous as to whether or not there was more good or bad that came out of the horrific event. There was an increased hope for people within the community who had not come out, but there was also increased fear. Similarly, across the nation there was a flare of support for hate crime legislation and a flare of hate. Watching the film, it seemed as if part of the emphasis was on the confusion and difficulty that comes with trying to handle something that people care so passionately about. It ended with what came about as a call to action, but also showed that there was not necessarily much progressed made for all the time, pain, and effort that came out of the murder.
ReplyDeleteThe Laramie Project was a film that took the terrible event of Matthew Shepard’s death and tried to portray the effects this had on a local scale. The long term effects that the events leading to and resulting in Matthew’s death also show a great deal about the atmosphere of the community. Matthew’s death served as a wake-up call to a community that they were not fostering an accepting environment. Throughout the film every interview had the same underlying theme that no one could believe such a heinous crime could have occurred where these people lived. This film was created to show how the acts of a few people could make an entire community realize that regardless of their own personal beliefs, no crime should be committed against someone simply for being who they are.
ReplyDeleteAfter watching the rest of The Laramie Project, I believe that my initial response was somewhat accurate. In my initial response I wrote that the main message is "live and let live," but now I believe it is something different. The film's main message is that people need to learn to accept others for who they are. While "live and let live" is good in the sense that it breeds tolerance, it is better to learn to genuinely accept people for who they are.
ReplyDeleteInitially for me one of the most powerful parts of the film was the idea that the entire film is based on the actual interviews that were performed with the people in Laramie. Knowing that the reactions in the film were the actual reactions that people had helps me better create an emotional connection with everyone in the film. Additionally while watching the statement given by Matthew Shepard’s father, I recalled a time a few years back when I was studying social justice, that I heard the portion of the statement when his father is explaining the Matthew was not alone. This part was one of the most beautiful parts of the film for me because it struck a chord that I had already felt, and at that point I felt almost completely emotionally connected to the people in Laramie.
ReplyDeleteIt was really interesting to watch the film I have known of Matthew Shepard's story for sometime now but not in this much detail, I really appreciated getting to know more about what the reaction was to his attack and eventual death. One of the most poignant parts of the film for me was when one of the towns people was reflecting on what had come of Matthew's death and how one year after his death there was no laws or legislation. Sense then there have been changes to protect the LGBT community, but the recent suicides of LGBT youth say that what ever has been done was not enough. I think that the main point of the film was to show how good can come out of evil it the good will not come automatically or easily.
ReplyDeleteAs I was watching, I was very surprised by the direction of the film. By including the opposing perspectives on the matter, the persuasiveness of the argument developed. The part that struck me the most was the Catholic priest’s response during his interview. I think the main argument of the movie was to make an end to the motto of Laramie, ‘live and let live.’ No one should have to hide their identity. The priest told the two homosexuals that he was in conversation with that, “[They] know what is true.” Of course everyone will have various opinions, morals, and beliefs that are based upon their religion. Everyone has their own truth. I believe that argument for this movie is to recognize these various truths and to accept them. In the end of the movie, as Mr. Shepard speaks to McKinney he says, “Good is coming out of evil.” Although no hate law legislation of discrimination laws were passed as an outcome of this incident, I believe The Laramie Project not only helped in the healing process of Laramie’s citizens, but also in that of the nation’s.
ReplyDeleteThe Laramie Project is both heartbreaking and thought provoking. The emotional nature of the film makes it difficult to watch, but also properly conveys the weight and impact of the case of Matthew Shapard. I believe the film’s main point is a message of healing through intervention. I think the film illuminates the fact that this case is larger than the people involved. It is time to not simply punish the aggressors, but analyze why such hatred exists in the first place. .
ReplyDeleteThe Laramie Project is unlike any thing I’ve ever seen. I’ve only heard about murders and hate crimes but have never witnessed how these tragedies directly affect the people who surrounded the victim, and I’ve never thought about how it can influence a whole town. I experienced an emotional response while watching the film especially during the scene when people in the town where outside the hospital at night with candles praying for Matthew. There was a friend of mine back home who was in a coma for weeks and was expected to die so the people in our town walked around his hospital one night praying for his recovery.
ReplyDeleteThe film did an excellent job in showing the effects of a hate crime on a whole community. Overall, I think it was made to tell people that individuals shouldn’t be persecuted for who they are.
After watching The Laramie Project, I feel great sympathy for all those involved in the incident. It was difficult for me to watch the film and imagine that people can have the capacity to to do something so wrong. I know that hate crimes happen, but I still can't help but wonder why someone would be compelled to do something so horrible to another human being and how they can think that it is ok. However, for me, it was reassuring to know that so many people stood by Matthew's family and supported them and him all throughout the ordeal. One of the most powerful parts of the movie I felt was the parade when so many people joined the march.
ReplyDeleteHonestly this was one of the saddest movies that I have ever seen. I don't usually get that emotional about a film but I will admit that towards the end of the movie I was at times holding back tears, especially when the father was talking about the loss of his son. This story really hits home for me as I come from an environment that is predominately against homosexuality. I feel for not only Matthew but for everyone that lives in Laramie. You can't imagine the things people can say to others that make you just want to shudder. Back at my high school I've had friends that have told me that if their kid ever came out to them they would immediately disown them because they wouldn't be responsible for that. How is that even possible? It doesn't seem right.
ReplyDeleteI think the greatest thing that this movie goes to show is the true effect that a few bad apples can have on a collection of people. In the portrayal of this film it is obvious that while some may not agree with a gay lifestyle all of these people still see that you really must "live and let live." One of the more powerful moments for me was when the Catholic father indicated his support for Matthew. He is a leader in his community and the things that he teaches on his pedestal are the things that others will take into their lives. I agreed with him when he said that they needed to make Aaron tell his story and how he got that way so that others could learn to do better. I think at its heart that is what this story attempts to do, show the audience just how someone can grow so much hate inside of them and the terrible things that hate can do to not only themselves but their entire community.
The only thing really left to say is that I'm glad that justice was served in this manner and while the effort to stop hatred hasn't fully succeeded this is one small step in the long journey to equality and that's what I think Matthew would have wanted.
RIP Matthew Sheppard.
After finishing watching the film I am left with great sorrow for all of those involved. This event was not easy to deal with for anybody and the worldwide attention that it cause attests to that. It was difficult to watch at time because the emotion of the film was so strong. Especially being close to where this happen and even having family connections to the town makes it harder to swallow. I think the main point of the film is to not only draw attention to the hate crimes going on across the country and around the world, but the intense conflict and the scenarios that such dissenting opinions among factions in society. There are people all over the world that no matter what happens, they will think the same thing. This film shows what the potential consequences of what such opinions.
ReplyDeleteI’m quite close-minded when it comes to certain political and social issues, as I was raised and still hold strongly to my beliefs. However, I feel I almost always am open to hearing and understanding other sides to every situation. I’m open to change, and I believe everyone has the right to live their lives the way they chose, and I have the right to live mine. I brought that to this movie when I watched it whether I wanted to or not. The great thing about this film was that the pull on pathos really got to me and just as a human being I find the film’s point gets across in the manner that its message is portrayed without forcing the audience to accept or deny their views on homosexuality, but rather on their views on hate crimes as a whole. While I sat and listened to the events unfold and the message portrayed, my beliefs on some of the issues did not change; however, I feel I more strongly understand the message of a need for more tolerance and acceptance in the world.
ReplyDeleteI thought that the Laramie Project was both a very well done and emotionally moving film. It really takes the viewer through the emotional gauntlet. At points, it seems as though no hope is left, the entire country is in turmoil over the events in Laramie, and everyone in the town is being put on display physically and morally. Then as the movie closes, the importance of hope and the power of people to rise above a situation, as Matt’s Dad did in not sentencing the guilty to the death penalty. For me, I think these were the things that the movie most inspired in me. By showing the human capacity to not take an “eye-for-an-eye” and kill other people in response to them committing murder, it provides a sense of hope for people to be able to one day advance past hate and show the maturity to begin a process of healing rather than a vicious cycle of violence. One of the final scenes in which the police officer who nearly contracted HIV from helping Matt was pronounced HIV-free was very moving for me. It created for me a striking piece of evidence in which showing kindness and compassion for another human being regardless of who they are is always the right thing to do.
ReplyDeleteThe second half of The Laramie Project took a great turn towards the heartbreaking reality of Matthew Shepard's case and the surrounding trials. My thoughts and feelings while watching the film and afterwards were of great empathetic remorse. How could anybody not be drawn to feel the same way that Matthew's friends did? However, I felt the ending of the film carried a very positive message. The image of a Matthew looking over beautifully sparkling city--his city--leaves an essence of hope for the future of Laramie.
ReplyDeleteAfter watching The Laramie Project, I feel like the point of the film was to show how much easier it is to hate than it is too love. I was struck by how many people carried hatred, not just towards Matthew, but towards the LGBT community as a whole. It was obvious that the town agreed the murder was a horrible act of violence, but the interviews reflected the views that the two assailants may have been provoked by Matthew, making it partially his fault, that he shouldn't have received so much media attention because he was gay. When you take into account the fact that there were probably many more people who shared these views, and just didn't give interviews, you find a town that is intolerant of the LGBT lifestyle, to the point where they hate the people themselves, not just the lifestyle. Considering that the most predominately practiced religion is Christianity, a religion of love, one wonders how this culture of hatred was cultivated. What I believe the writers were trying to convey is that even for people who believe in loving everyone, it's still easier to hate than to love.
ReplyDeleteI think the man at the end summed everything up. I know its impossible to live in a perfect society where we all are happy and accepting of others views. The truth is as long as people have different beliefs there’s only so much harmonizing that you can do because eventually peoples beliefs won’t agree. But I guess there’s the “what next factor” that is still being untouched. All Laramie has done is solve a murder with a murder, but what does a society do to learn from this? I noticed that throughout the film even though in some of the interviews the people tried to act modest saying “ oh I might not agree with it but I also do agree with murder” I could still feel the prejudice coming out. I remember hearing “those people a lot” as if gays were not equal to the heterosexuals. The film at the end is urging society to move from just that elementary “I don’t agree with it but I’ll deal with them” too actually seeing gays as equals.
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