4 Generations - Water Buffalo Movie

[omgoneleven]

This makes me smile - thank you for sharing the link to the full video. I'm so glad to have come across this.

[question279]

Every man who went to China are all for sex. Donation is good for poor people especially in China. However, what is greater than donation is getting rid of the Communist party.

[k8teaw]

Is there anywhere else on the web that I can view this video past 2 minutes 40 seconds? I have used it to teach in my classroom in the past, and I am severely bummed that I cannot find it...

[JoeChesHarv]

i was in the phillipines with my family and my cusins need 1 too

[Fabipunkinola]

aww bring the video back! :(

[deemortiz]

I think I'll the same thing in the Philippines. Thanks for the insperation.

[iamyellowj]

This video isn't trying to say that gifting a water buffalo is the greatest thing anyone could ever do for the peasants. It's just a video that is trying to document something that really happened. Yes, there are large-scale economic problems that make life difficult for millions of Chinese farmers, but regardless, Philip and Robert have done a good thing. Robert's tone is not condescending and I don't get the sense that he simply "pities" the poor - he just wants to help. And he succeeds.

[ee2402j3]

( this vid makes me so sad. some1 msg me!! xD P

[davidhaile]

I also received that "catalog" that was talked about at the beginning of the clip and wondered about its sincerity. You definitely did the right thing. The most important thing is to get off our butts and Do Something instead of hide behind our wealth in fear. We also like to hide behind politics and cultural differences. I have a goal of helping the poor but my time is not yet here. I'm not any better than the rest until I've done it.

[c0ntundere]

I'm not saying that this was a bad act, or they shouldn't of done it. Those people who received the buffalo were really happy, and that's great. I just think people should pay attention to the global policies that keep countries impoverished, and try to circumvent those. That would work a lot better than simply donating a bit of money to these people living in underdeveloped countries, after profiting off their work. As it said in the video, there are many more poor families just in that village

[cflower18]

I completely agree with this. It's easy to look at people in other countries, be they China, Ethiopia or Nicaragua, and be sad about their misfortunes without thinking about what Western countries have done to contribute to those conditions. This video contains stereotypical tropes of the generous white man, and the grateful natives. Although, as it has been said before, these people did a good thing for the family, this video just ends up showing how charitable and good Westerners are...

[cflower18]

I think this type of representation distorts the real issues and simply offers a feel-good, bandage solution to world poverty. It makes people think that the people in China are just poor without any reasons behind that, and Westerners need to make grand gestures in order to "save" them. In reality, there is a reason for this poverty, and we can all make a differences through our everyday purchasing decisions, whether it's buying sweat free clothing or free trade products.

[cflower18]

And these decisions aren't even being extra generous. Simply treating them fairly and saying that their work is the same value as ours is enough. Don't profit off of almost slave labour!

In the end, I just hope that when people see this type of video in the future, they don't just feel sorry for the poor people, and happy about the gifts. Instead, we should all take a look at Western economies that first take advantage of these people and then allow Western citizens to give something back.

[c0ntundere]

I think people involved in this project has only the best intentions, and there's no doubt that they did a great thing for that family. However, before we blindly celebrate this kind of philanthropy, I'd just like to point out that the economic systems that allow US citizens (and others) to be able to give these gifts are the same as those that keep people in China, and other countries in poverty. Western countries have the wealth to donate cause they rely on cheap labour/products from poor ones

[loxfizzle]

loved reading the original blog and seeing how eager you were to help out.

beautiful!

[selmer1938]

Holy fu^&ing Bob... Movie star over here.

[syalala]

If you can comment this video, you must give thanks to God(if you believe in God), for everything He gave you til today.

God bless them.

[jesuis88]

hey I really like this, and it is definitely something I wish to be able to do one day (help the lower class of Asia). This has been a great inspiration!

[jcnh74]

I have not been filled with so much emotion in many years. Your film has filled me with so much hope. I will be a better person today. Thanks.

[baby7258]

thank for the all

谢谢

[krazyBXgirl]

A beautiful gift.

[mattdrummer2000]

Hi Robert,

I really enjoyed reading the original blog and then viewing this video, which is very moving. And although I don't agree with some of what the original blog says, I think it raised some important issues, which are brought out in the comments afterwards.

I'd like to ask you if you or anyone you know has visited the family who received the buffalo recently? How are they getting on now, 8 months down the line?

Cheers,

Matt

[theoib]

Hi Robert. Thank you. Touching, gentle and delivered with grace.  I find some of the other comments on this thread startlingly ignorant or worse just plain upsetting. I sincerely hope you are ignoring them. Beautiful musical adaptation too. tx

[globalzoe]

i really love this.

..i find this piece incredibly inspiring...both creatively and in the deeper sense of life and purpose.

i like the the relaxed, unpretensious voice over and creative story telling...it also makes me want to do simple things for people who are in greater need than myself.

thank you.

[MagicPear]

I think is a great and original documentary. =)

[7errain]

Make it available! I see there are others here who also wanted it.

[7errain]

Where did you get that instrumental version of how to save a life? It sounds pretty good. I've beeen googling & can't find it.

[bobtheviolin]

"Where did you get that instrumental version of how to save a life? It sounds pretty good. I've beeen googling & can't find it." I wrote it (or, more appropriately, covered it) using my two violins and Pro Tools.

[BunjiCarlin]

Nice gesture, but how the hell are they gonna feed that thing??

[bobtheviolin]

If you visit the official site, there is a FAQ that answers this questions (any many other questions) in detail. Short answer: It grazes on the roadside for free and is no burden to the farmer.

[ma9o0]

Buffaloes eat grasses that grows in the hillside. They don't need to buy grass from the supermarket or order from the internet. Just tie the buffalo with a cord so it would not graze away.

[hannaremnant]

How terrible. All these problems that are passed down generations are curses and a result of seperation...from God. The greatest gift for these ppl would be the solution to their life..in Jesus Christ. And not just for these ppl but from them, the renewal of China and all the world.

[buckface1]

Wow! hannaremant is bang on. A little God a day keeps the starvation, poverty, disease and misfortune away.

[buckface1]

Thanks Robert for this inspirational clip.

[bardabing]

There is a opportunity here to help others in need by setting up a charitable trust. Maybe call it the Water Buffalo Trust. All the chaos in the world, it is enlightening to see that there are some compassion left in all of us.

[0superman]

You a fan of Laurie Anderson?

[Persian5life]

wow finally some proof that not all Americans are republicans.

[Bagginski]

I agree, very inspirational story, but what it inspires me to do I don't know. I wish I could do that for a family but I'm still a teen. Great video.

<b>● ßΔĠĠÎÑŜĶÎ ●</b>

[poeticdamselfly]

This is so inspirational. You did a wonderful job. :) Thanks for this documentary.

[schrankage]

What's to stop the bank from taking the buffalo?

[phyzome]

I think the idea is that the water buffalo can do a lot of the work the family had to do, freeing up their time and other assets to pay back the loan.

[MRCAB]

I wish i could do that... and actually know that it's happening.

[ninjao]

This is a great video. Another story that reminds me of the starfish story.

[oddblacksheepx]

I hope this gets featured.

[giantenemycrabX]

Wow that's really touching. I wish there was more people in the world like you! what's the music used in the video? It sounds like a classical orchestra covering "how to save a life."

[bobtheviolin]

It is. I contacted EMI and asked before it went viral in January. I covered their song with my violin and Pro Tools.

[lynch03]

I liked your version better then the original version. Is there anyway you can upload the music for download? Maybe make a youtube video of you playing it. I love the melody so much.

[bobtheviolin]

One day! Thanks! I'll try to get it on my site.

[lynch03]

that would be awesome. thanks.

[r3mix]

Great cause, nice job on the video, educational. Not only was I moved by the video, but I was also pleased to hear new things about other cultures. I didnt know crying in front of guests was considered rude in some cultures. Just seeing the video footage of life there and hearing the commentary made me put a lot of things into perspective. Thanks for making the video and taking action when a lot of others may have sat on the idea, the good cause.

[anlong184]

I would like to say that this is a wonderful act of charity, and I do not want to shun that. But this video is horribly narcissistic. The highest charity comes with anonymity. Why not just make a video about the story if you want to story told? Including the part about who you are in the story is just unnecessary and only serves as self-praise. You could mention why you are there, and even what you do and still remain anonymous.

[anlong184]

This might be forgivable if not for the link to your big web-page about yourself with a small link to the water buffalo video. When you actually get to some information, it is so sparse that it could have easily fit in the youtube description. Again, I think this is a wonderful act. But maybe it deserves it's own light, and more so, its own web page. Instead of just being an advertisement for YOU.

[GoddnRunn]

I have to agree with this. A gift isn't a real gift if you expect $250 worth of appreciation and some intrusive video. Imagine being videotaped for your reactions when somebody gave you a gift. Somewhat rude I feel.

[miknarf]

I think the point was to show people how much such a little amount of money actually means to these people and how much they appreciate it. If he had done it anonymously then the family would still get the same joy. Doing it this way also encourages others to follow suit. I think if more people understood the magnitude of a gift like this to a poor family more people would do the same.

[anlong184]

Well. that's exactly right. Mind you, I did not say "you shouldn't have made this video." I think it is great, and shows people just how much of a difference people can make by themselves. The anonymity to the recipient of the water buffalo may have been impossible due to the limits of the situation, and that is perfectly fine. I am referring, in my previous comments, to how self-involved the presentation for us idiots wasting our time watching youtube is.

[anlong184]

I mean, telling us who he is, OK. But about talking about how long and where he has been on tour, and having to navigate through his site (about himself!) it's all just too narcissistic. Instead of 'look at this great thing that happened' it says 'look at this great thing i did!'

[bobtheviolin]

Thanks for watching. Just to clarify, I didn't navigate to "my site", it was Philip Greenspun's site. I don't know, he is the one who donated the buffalo, so I felt he was a significant part of the story. He is the reason it was donated in the first place. Perhaps if you spent more time concentrating on the message of the video, you would have picked up on this.

[Despara5T]

@bobtheviolin No, sorry there Bob. I'd have to second anlong184, whoever made this video is completely pretentious and narcissistic in its conception and deliverance. I mean 1 Water buffalo? What about all the other farmers that aren't getting that support and have to plow there fields themselves? But I bet you'd say something like "that's not part of the message". Its pretty obvious to me what the message is. The message is "I'm a pretentious, rich, sheltered, self-important, up-incoming 

[Despara5T]

@bobtheviolin artist who would like some free positive publicity." "So everyone look at how much of a modest thoughtful person I am for taking time out of my career and life to help this poor lowly peasant with his farming."

[lynch03]

how many water buffalo's have you given to poor families asshole.

[onlinedesign]

Actually, in this case I am going to somewhat agree with you...AND beg to differ. While I see your point, the fact remains that when one is creating sympathy for a cause, sometimes it is necessary to use your fame and celebrity to bring others to the charity table. Just sayin'...

[onlinedesign]

What an exceptional story of human compassion and generosity. It serves as a reminder to always practice random acts of kindness whenever possible...

This story was a heart warming, touching, momentary relief from the constant barrage of war clips, militant fanaticism and political propaganda.

Isn't it great to see that there remain individuals who...do things for others, motivated by nothing else than true and proper heart condition towards humanity and those who suffer?

[soul4gvnnforgtn]

beautiful did...

[funkyflipper007]

Awesome..Beautiful and Inspiring!!!!!

[KhunWic]

WOW! This is a thrill for me. I am retiring in two years and my dream is to raise water buffalo in Laos to give to farm families and because I just think they are such wonderful animals. Thanks Bob. I know I can do it. KhunWic

[Polhigh]

BobtheViolin, you are the greatest gift.I agree with DamienDuff: this is one of the greatest videos on youtube... absolutely inspirational...a stunning call to action

[bobtheviolin]

We wanted to buy a female, but there were none available (only three males in this small village.)

[elanicstuff]

Wow. Very cool. I kinda hoped it would be a female water buffalo, so that it could produce more water buffalo for the family, thus ensuring the wealth would continue.

But hey... don't mind me being picky. This was a very inspiring gift.  You will inspired a lot of people with this. Great music too. :)

[hotljia]

Very moving. Hope one day I can do something similarly.

[DamienDuffFan]

How much did the buffalo cost?

[NoFaithTheist]

$200 US dollars I think?

less than an IPod any way.

[bobtheviolin]

$460 USD. There is a FAQ on the official site.

[cdnfarmer]

well the thing that many people don't know is that water buffalo are very, very gentle animals

[AuntBee09]

that's a really cool video

[freakenbeliever]

i agree i found this surfing around the internet and i wonder if it was on youtube so i could share with everyone, very very inspirational!

[DamienDuffFan]

one of the greatest videos on youtube... absolutely inspirational...a stunning call to action

[surharper]

Inspirational... Calls for each of us to take action in some way