FilmCatcher: Operation Filmmaker-Director Nina Davenport

[dayabas]

I think that although he didn’t appreciate the opportunity to learn, didn’t want to work for anything, and just wanted money to be handed, I think the film should've been more objective. The whole documentary was about how bad he was in every way and ungrateful to everybody including her. I feel like they put him on a pedestal and then, they didn’t bother to tell him that it was an internship not a big time director job, and then this woman thought she could take advantage and display his life.

[fuzzfilm]

Imagine that you are very young, some very professional and experienced Iraqi filmmakers plucked you up from your comfy surroundings and plopped you on a set in Bagdad (or again Prauge for that matter) and you couldn't return home. Let's see how any of us would do. He did the best that he knew how to do and I'm sorry to you all that he wasn't able to capitalize on the oppertunity he was given. Let's see how you do.

[fuzzfilm]

I think people should watch this film more closely. One poster said that he had a personality disorder and was ungratfull. This poor kid who is a victim of war as is the rest of his country. He with out a doubt has PTSD and is thrown into an completely alien situation and suddenly has to survive in a world (or worlds) he knows nothing about. Leiv should have found another way to alleviate his guilt and left the poor kid alone as we all should leave that whole country alone.

[ccazares3]

you can't blame her, she tried! No one can say she tried, Muthana was extremly lazy and did not even try. He could have asked, "oh where can I get a job?" nothing is embarassing about hard work. I understand his situation and it is a terrible one. But overall his main problem at the moment was money and the fact that he was too lazy to work.

regardless of cultural differences, Muthana seemed to understand that it was an oportunity not a hand out.He treated it like he won the lottery.

[jsm762]

the DVD is finally out. i just ordered a copy.

[thepethamstar]

I thought her behaviour was impeccable. After watching the film I had the urge to research her and comment on the documentary. It amazed me how liberal American guilt was bent to get a fuckwit, im sorry he was, onto proper film sets and into film college.

I feel sorry for real talented young Iraqis.

[lightningstrike4]

I shouldnt say slogged.Upset at the film in the first instance - a good emotive film after all.Destructive ideas just for a movie which affect peoples lives is upsetting.Nina looks pretty comfy/well off -Muthana was almost forced to beg.More compassion(money accom)- being stranded in a different country separated from his freinds and family.I forget why I was angry about the movie.All good-who cares.Life changing for Muthana.His situation would bring out the worst in all of us.

[lightningstrike4]

Nina Davenport - a very conceited and self serving filmmaker. Dont trust her. She treats her subjects with thinly veiled disdain and expects them to say thank you! I choke with anger on what I really want to say - a Crap movie which lets you into a secret - Americans want to look after their OWN interests. Keep away from them - Bloody hell Nina you should feel terrible. Good on Muthana - he should have slogged you one on your fat a#@! but hes more polite than you ever could be

[mrlowdangle]

wow ..you really do have some big hairy arsed problem with her dont you!?

I dont remember seeing her do anything questionable in this awkward situation of a film,or did you have access to some 'special' extra footage that nobody else has seen?

"you should feel terrible" why??

"he should have slogged you one" he kind of did!,that pretty much tipped the balance for myself,but maybe you missed that bit?

"hes more polite than you ever could be" erm ok lol

[spareaxe]

I got the same feeling watching her documentry, I won't recommend this to any one.

[jsm762]

Her film opens at the IFC Center in NY on June 4th.