LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

[January 17th, 2007] SCREEN SAVIOR

Praise the lord—or someone (the publishers, maybe?) for the new and improved Film section, and for installing a critic who can get through an entire film review without references to genitalia and bodily fluids.

And thank Aaron Mesh for bringing attention to the restrained brilliance of United 93, the most powerful and thought-provoking film of not just last year, but, arguably, the last two or three ["That's Not Entertainment," Dec. 27, 2006].

United 93 is a film that, ideally, should be experienced in the dark, communal atmosphere of a theatre; I can't think of a recent film as capable of connecting an auditorium full of strangers. Still, better it be seen on video than not at all.

I would disagree with Mr. Mesh only in regard to his assertion that Paul Greengrass' perfectly conceived, gorgeously crafted film is unwatchable; from the first hauntingly unbiased frame of a devoutly praying Muslim, I found it impossible to turn away. And when it's all over (and this is another reason to seek it out on the big screen), expect to experience a devastating silence and stillness in the auditorium that will last through the closing credits and beyond.

Hats off to a welcome new Willamette Week voice from a forgotten old one.

Roger Margolis
(former Willamette Week film critic)
Southeast 30th Avenue

THE REAL BLOOD DIAMONDS

Willamette Week has erred gravely in its review of the film Empire in Africa [Jan. 10, 2007]. I worked in Sierra Leone on the elections which were held there in 1996. The film is solely a piece of propaganda designed by the filmmaker to deflect responsibility from the RUF [Revolutionary United Front] rebels for one of the saddest atrocities of the 20th century. Its message is conveyed by numerous false statements in the narration, self-serving interviews with rebel leaders and propelled by the use of graphic footage purchased by the filmmaker from the documentary Cry Freetown, used out of context. Cry Freetown documents the RUF invasion of the capital as part of their campaign "Operation No Living Thing."

There is no book or major publication that supports filmmaker Philippe Diaz's interpretation. Readers may find the book A Dirty War in West Africa by Lansana Gberie for a more detailed history.

The upcoming trial of ex-Liberian president] Charles Taylor in the World Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity will show that greed, not ideology, created and sustained the rebels. As reported by the Washington Post, the RUF and Taylor traded diamonds with Al Qaeda between 1999 and July 2001 to hide its assets.

It is unfortunate that your film critic was misled by the film. To recommend the film and represent it as accurate is like recommending the early films of Leni Riefenstahl. I doubt that is the company Willamette Week would care to keep.

Robert Wilcox
Southwest Washouga Avenue