Thursday, January 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Sea View Theatre
Colton Harris-Moore. photo courtesy Everett Herald.
A special engagement for this independent film about the life of Colton Harris-Moore; a telling of the life of the notorious and intriguing young airplane thief.
A young boy’s dream of flying and designing airplanes becomes a reality when he breaks out of a halfway house at the age of 15 and steals the first of five airplanes.
Harris-Moore’s captor, lawyer, mother, and the FBI team that hunted him for several years tell the almost unbelievable story of “The Barefoot Bandit.”
To see the trailer, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mv86QnjSspA
**If you are reading theOrcasonian for free, thank your fellow islanders. If you would like to support theOrcasonian CLICK HERE to set your modestly-priced, voluntary subscription. Otherwise, no worries; we’re happy to share with you.**
I believe the law states that criminals should not profit from their crimes. Since Mr. H-M’s main desire appears to have been notoriety, such films provide him the greatest form of “profit” possible. I hope Islanders will avoid this showing like the plague.
Ditto ..
I cannot imagine a more idiotic statement than: “A young boy’s dream of flying and designing airplanes becomes a reality when he…steals the first of five airplanes.”
One flies airplanes safely and legally only after having been tested and certified, and then licensed.
One does not realize the dream of flying airplanes by stealing them from their rightful owners and using them recklessly and stupidly.
One will never, ever realize the dream of designing airplanes by merely stealing them at random and joy-riding in them.
Mr. Harris-Moore is nothing like “intriguing.”
Instead, he is despicable.
This film is a mere self-serving attempt to raise money to pay for his legal defense. It is beneath contempt, and paying to watch it makes the viewer his dupe.
What a waste!!! Merry
Ditto to all the previous comments.
Barbara Keller and Steve Heningson – have you researched this at all? Colton will be profiting NADA from this film. In fact, he’s not even involved in this particular documentary. He legally couldn’t because he already signed a contract film deal with 20th Century Fox – which is worth $1.3 million – of which ALL OF HIS PROFITS go directly towards the $1.4 million in restitution that he owes the businesses and victims of his exploits.
That movie, by 20th Century Fox, will literally be the only way that many of our remaining local businesses that were affected by him will ever see a cent paid back.
Now, back to this particular documentary…. I do think that it’s a thinly veiled attempt by an independent filmmaker to create a name for herself by trying to generate sympathy for CHM.
Well said, Erica, and well researched.
The promotional materials for this “documentary” have been appalling, as Steve noted.
Like many other Orcas folks said: If you want film makers getting a lot more $ making the Barefoot Bandit film is a great way to get more folks into disgusting stealing, selling and damaging out lifestyle. I remember when the news came out re Barefoot that 20th Century Fox immediately wanted to do a film at Deer Harbor (where I live). Get away those folks and maybe where I live won’t become a place film watchers want to arrive here & damage our lives like Barefoot did!
This man repeatedly broke into and stole from a targeted family…including their home, guest house, their truck and hanger. I saw our island youth cheer him on… what message is that? I cannot support his story having more notoriety. He caused fear and pain and loss. Is stealing and breaking in worthy of this attention which in the eyes of youth appears “cool” like Jessie James or Billy the Kid? I think not. That one particular family I mention are friends of mine and I have seen them give time, funding and tears to this community – seniors and children who otherwise would have suffered. They never should have been targets. They should receive our attention – not this troublemaker.
Once again I find myself extremely proud and appreciative of Orcas islanders. Mr. Harris-Moore is a criminal who got pleasure from harming others. Anyone supporting his behavior including those who seek profit from it are misguided at best. Such actions encourage that kind of aberrant behavior. I won’t be participating and I’m glad to see others feel the same way. I encourage others to boycott this particular showing at the Seaview Theater. This IS NOT a freedom of speech issue, although many no doubt, will hide behind that claim. I hope Seaview Theater will rethink their decision to air the movie. Thank you.
These are quotes from an article about the film and film maker Carly Bodmer.
“Bodmer is also aware that on the islands many people see Harris-Moore as someone who attacked small business owners and homeowners rather than someone who is a symbol for heroism.
She was asking the questions(as many were), “Why would a teenager steal a plane and fly it without any training? Why would a young man break into strangers’ homes, steal from small businesses and live in the woods for long stretches of time? Why would he become a symbol of rising up against authority, why would he be called a folk hero by some and a criminal by others?
She said she does not want to celebrate his legend as much as reveal what can happen to youths in our community if they are not well cared for.
In the end, the documentary focuses on the child that Harris-Moore is. That is why Bodmer animated many of his early childhood drawings of planes to show that stealing planes may be more than just an act of defiance, but rather a way to deal with other troubling factors in his life.
“Flight was his escapism, his way to survive,” she said.
She hopes that island audiences will not see the documentary as a glorification of the bandit’s exploits, but that people will glean their own truths.
Film is about storytelling. This story affected our community. We at Sea View theatre support the film and it’s insights into this troubled child and how he came to be the criminal that he is and how NOT to create more kids like him in the future. What can we learn from this story. I think it’s more about us waking up to the fact that there are children in this community that are neglected and have and will turn to crime. It’s my hope that this film will inspire us to stay focused on our own and do positive, supportive work for kids and families.
Boycott Hollywood! and not this independent person who is taking a journalistic approach rather that the Hollywood formulaic, sensational, entertainment only approach!
Boycotting? Seriously? Censorship of a small local theater? Now that seems a little extreme..and would only negatively impact the business of Sea View Theater. It’s a film people. Next we will be censoring the library. I see no difference. Agree with Donna Laslo & Erica Lyons..if you read the article CHM does not profit.
I’m in no way boycotting the theater – I love Seaview for many reasons. I personally don’t want to focus anymore attention on this man. He lived with people who encouraged him…not always hiding in the woods. I can’t quote that – but I saw enough vague posts on fb back then that fairly well screamed “yeah Bandit”. I do focus on the youth of this island – they are a huge part of my life and I love them. We have little ones living in terrible situations right now. I will save my energy for them. Just a choice I personally make.
Agreed. Calling for a boycott is cowardly, judgemental, and damaging (to Seaview). This is an independent filmmaker’s hard work. She cared enough about this topic to create an entire documentary reflecting her perspective.
If y’all don’t agree with the content then stay home and keep the pitchforks and torches in the shed. Kids aren’t going to go out and copy this guy just because they saw it in a movie. Get real.
A follow up comment: To clarify, I was suggesting that we not go see that particular airing of that particular movie. I was NOT suggesting a general boycott on the Seaview Theater. That would indeed be an absurd overreaction. My post states nothing of the kind people. I’ve always supported the local theater and our island youth. Not to worry, this “cowardly, judgmental, and damaging” islander will be staying away on that particular movie night. Be well and enjoy the show!
David and all, I so appreciate the dialog. Clearly the viewpoint depends on one’s view. There are multiple perspectives being shared with this issue. I think for me, the sensitive issue is the local citizens I witnessed who suffered not only monetarily, but had significant emotional stress.. hence the depth of the discussion..
As always, may each of us follow our own path and not overshadow others with our personal point of view.
A vibrant community is one in which different ideals can be discussed and with the perspective we each share held respectfully.
Well said, Clyde. Cheers :-)
David – I meant no direct affront, only an overall view towards the multiple calls to boycott.
I think that something to remember is that documentaries do not necessarily celebrate the subject matter.
When I first set out to make The Barefoot Bandit Documentary I admit that I had an idea of how I wanted to tell the story. I imagined an exciting chase- exploring his time on the run. I over-related to Colton’s youthful rebellion. That end result I had in mind changed dramatically as I learned about the story and spent time with the FBI, his mother, various police departments, neighbors, and those that were effected by the crimes.
teaser trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mv86QnjSspA
I can also tell you that the film explores WHY, potentially, he behaved the way he did, and it might not be a popular or easy story to tell/watch. I can assure you that Colton is NOT my biggest fan, though I have spoken to him (he is not in the film for his own personal and legal reasons). I can also tell you that having empathy, and understanding perspectives outside of your own, is important and why feature length documentaries are so vitally important. No one is making anyone see this film. It’s just a 70 minute documentary, a flash in the pan as far as how you spend your time. I don’t have the power to change anyone’s past, sadly, and I wish more victims would have participated so that I could have heard your voices more on camera. I hope that those that see it feel as though there is some kind of truth, take-away, or entertainment which enriches them intrinsically.
I am grateful to the Seaview for taking a chance with the film and I will be there to support it with a Q + A.
$$$$$$$ Additionally, I want to clear up that this film has not come close to recouping the money spent making it, so it is quite funny to me when people ask where my profits are going (because as of yet there are none). I spent three years making this, while working other jobs. I tried to keep it going so that I could find some truth in a subject that I had already ripped the lid off of. Research documentaries, it’s not an easy business model. Also, the 20th century fox film (which I am not affiliated with)- WHEN and IF it goes into production will pay 1.3 million to INSURANCE companies. The idea that it goes to victims of Colton’s crimes is fanciful Hollywood public relations at it’s best and something that I have had the displeasure of explaining to people since my film, a very different film than the Hollywood version, started screening. I would like to correct the past for you all, and Colton really, but that part is out of my control.
Hope that those that come out to watch it, judge it after they have viewed it. You might be surprised.
Seaview rules!
– C
Director of The Barefoot Bandit Documentary
Thank You Carly! I appreciate your honesty and integrity and we look forward to hosting an up and coming film maker such as you. See you Thursday at the Sea View!
Quote from Carly:
“Also, the 20th century fox film (which I am not affiliated with)- WHEN and IF it goes into production will pay 1.3 million to INSURANCE companies. The idea that it goes to victims of Colton’s crimes is fanciful Hollywood public relations at it’s best…”
That’s just a shame…. Many of us on island have been led to believe such since the beginning :-( I can only hope that for victims’ sakes that the trickle continues down past the insurance companies….
It is great to see such an avid interest and willingness to discuss a topic …. especially the comments the filmmaker herself. And no, documentaries are rarely moneymakers.
I may be mistaken, but it seems that the profits from the 20th Century Fox film would pay insurance companies only to the extent that insurance companies had paid claims to the insured. I think that insurance companies are the scum of the earth, but in this case, I think that they will only recoup what they have paid out.