Independent Film Week - A Conversation with Robert Greenwald - Sept. 18, 2008

A Conversation with Robert Greenwald
Independent Film Week
Thursday, September 18, 2008
11:30am - 12:30pm
FIT – Haft Auditorium – New York, NY

Robert Greenwald, Brave New Films
Iraq for Sale
WALMART: The High Cost of Low Price
OutFoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism

Robert Greenwald is a prolific genius. I’ve seen several of his documentaries and they’ve all been smart, humane, and compelling—though very liberal in nature. The panel discussion was vaguely unique, however. Not to dis it; I just think it was the nature of a get-to-know-the-filmmaker set up.

He seems like an accessible guy in his behind-the-scenes stuff on the DVDs. He even has a facebook page. I’d suggest you get to know him by indulging on his YouTube videos that garner thousands of subscribers and millions of views.

Now, the Qs in the Q&As often try my patience. Perhaps I’m a snob. In this case, I simply disliked the parts where people were giving him suggestions and ideas for videos. I felt like the audience could have been more constructive with a guy who has done a lot of good work. Then again, I’m in the back typing notes so who am I to talk. Do you think he gets threats on his life? That’s all I wanted to know.