Over the 4th of July weekend I took a drive through small towns. I wanted to spend the 4th outside the city, immersed in open space and away from the clusters.  On the way down, I listened to NPRs reading of the Declaration of Independence which they do every year around this time.  After rereading (relistening?) to the document, I noticed that so much of what was written was illustrating the politics of the time -namely, a long list of tyrannical offenses and injuries executed by the King of England. It’s worth a relisten (reread?) if you haven’t in some time. You may be surprised at how pertinent these offenses are these days.

Suffice to say, I felt a gratitude and overwhelming sense of pride about this country.  I think all too often I immerse myself in stories that focus on the corruption of the government, the media and the wolves clothed as sheep.  There is enough to drown oneself, if one chooses to do so.  But there is a second story that runs continuously alongside, and it is anchored not in words, but in the fluid movement of a people, of a nation.  It’s a dialogue that has been shared for more than 200 years. Like a long conversation over dinner, with friends and strangers and family.

_almost independence day_ from jd brick maynardCowboy on Vimeo.

I put this piece together from stuff I shot with an old camera and some old B&W footage I found on archives.org

The piece just isn’t the same without the interviews and “voices” from the towns, despite how good JFK’s reading may be.  But I do like this first draft and I think it gave me a lot of ideas and tools to learn with/from.  I look forward to posting a Second draft with more localization, more Voice.

Song: Extended Slide by Damiak