— by Carly Bodmer, Director of “The Barefoot Bandit” Documentary —
[In light of comments to the recent article about the Jan. 15 screening of “The Barefoot Bandit,”] 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 its 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!
Thank you Carly – I am glad you have written. I do have a heart for whatever this man suffered as a child… not one person alive has not suffered on some level. I hope your efforts do open the eyes of people in “seeing” youth and their needs for intervention before their personal choices for attention get so far out of hand that they hurt and damage others. The copy cat syndrome for attention worries me still. One extreme (but real) example is school shootings. Others are the arsonists and of course the school bully. May your documentary prevent more of that in some way. I really hope so.
There is a horrible trailer called Fly Colt Fly – the comments on that one really burn. The whole thing makes him look tooo COOL. I am sure your documentary won’t be anything like that.
I will be there to see your documentary. I also worked in LA in indie feature film production long before I moved to Orcas…and understand the challenges of making a film on a shoestring budget and getting it to a theater audience. Especially in this digital format age of downloads. Looking forward to your Q & A and meeting you.
Everyone should realize that Colton is just an extreme example of what the youth are going through these days. We have youth trying to survive outside in the woods on Orcas Island right now.
What we need to do is to draw attention to the real problems facing the young people in our society: Homelessness and Unemployment, which leads to hopelessness and drugs.
And thus, you have homeless, jobless youth breaking into homes and cars to buy food or a drug fix to alleviate their hopelessness and despair.
Why are we allowing this? Because we are a selfish society. Most could care less when they see fellow humans wandering around in rags. Only when they resort to stealing for survival, breaking into our houses and cars, damaging OUR property, do we care. Look in the mirror, and see who has helped create this depressive world for the youth.
I would also like to add, i picked up a hitchhiker the other day, a young person who was obviously living in the woods. I had a nice conversation with him about calling in higher universal power when in need of help. I would bet they he doesn’t take meth, does he steal? I don’t know. But not every homeless person is a crook! This young man had vigorous moral and spiritual character.
So next time you see a homeless person, don’t verbally spit on them and look to see if they are stealing.
Give them a leg up, for God’s sake. Or you too will be homeless in your own soul. -D
Well said Domenic. I have been following the fb group Homeless in Seattle and wondering if we need to start our own version of this in SJC. Anyone concerned about homelessness should check out that group. It really is a good model.