A Hostel Remembers

Interesting subject and interesting way of approaching it in an international atmosphere. I think you shold tell us though where these people are from and not expect us to figure it out on our own. What I think would be interesting, too, is what those people did right whenit happened! I'm sure they'd remember and it would justify why exactly THEY are talking about it.
All the Best for further travels!
-Nathanja_

Nicely done. The parts of this I found most interesting were when these folks were talking about current international views of America. While there is certainly a place for reflection on what happened on 9/11, I thought it went on a bit too long - this is well covered ground. Perhaps if their initial comments were framed in a more personal way (as is suggested below), then the beginning of the piece would be more effective.
Keep up the good work!

I appreciated the clear sound, variety in backgrounds of your interviews, and points being made.

Thanks for the comments y'all! I actually have footage of each of them talking about where they were at the time of the attacks. The reason I didnt include it is because I didnt think that was as interesting as hearing what they think about it all now. I was also trying to position the comments to have common themes, such as fear and uncertainty, so did not want to spend too much time on simple recollections - I wanted more analysis and observation of what it means today. The problem is there are basically two pods here: remembering THE moment and then remembering the moment in the context of the five years that have passed. I could have just had the pod be where they were and how they felt; but I really wanted to dig deeper and show where the world is thinking.

Also, please give me feedback about not naming the countries. I did this on purpose, because I wanted to reflect the nameless nature of all those dead in the attacks and since that in other attacks and wars around the world. I thought it would lead to a more international perspective, rather than running the risk of each person seeming to represent the views of an entire country.

I feel passionately that one of the resons our world is in such a terrible place (in the present as well as the past) is due to nationalism. So I didnt want to reinforce the differences; I wanted to show that this affects everyone equally; the fear and uncertainty bind us all no matter where we are from. Does this work?

And any suggestions on where to cut? I dont think that this is well-covered ground at all; Americans are usually oblivious to international views and ofrentimes seem to forget how many different nationalities died on 9/11 and since then...Let me know where you think it drags!

Thanks for the comments - they are the best part of this whole experience!

N

i like the overall idea, i have seen loads and loads of videos all about 9/11 none from this particular approach
;) effective

i would give similar critisisms to the ones below but you seem to back those up well :D

so take care on your journey around the world and keep doing what you do best!
Mohamed

Nicely done. Great content, but lots of audio issues to my ears. I'd try throwing a compressor or noise gate on the audio tracks to remove some of that echo, and normalizing all the audio from each speaker in a master mixdown. For future reference, don't use the camcorder's built in mic, try using a shotgun or decent omnidirectional mic. I realize you went hand held, were on holiday (at a hostel in Poland) and all that, but audio isues are the easiest thing to avoid, and the hardest to fix in post-production. I'm going to greenlight this, but work on the audio mix - drop me a note if you need some pointers on how to clean up the echos and stuff. Great concept! -zen

Nicely done--novel approach, where USA stands now from certain perspectives. I don't think you need to add nationalities; the voices give it away while still adding to the global perspective you offer.

Seeing ourselves as some others see us. Not pretty. I didn't find a dragging spot. Those interviewed were well-spoken and thoughtful, and that they were themselves travelers in the world adds an even deeper dimension to the work.

this is a very interesting point of view on such a widely known subject.

Really great. People get so 'bored' of widely reported tragedies and tend to avoid this topic altogether. I think you really captured the current hostel environment with regards to the world opinion on America. I'm Australian and while travelling I've often found myself defending Americans who are attacked or criticised for the actions of their government. I've seen whole tables of travellers band together to argue with one or two Americans. It seems the whole world is angry at the Bush administration's actions and it's the US citizens who are bearing the brunt.

I really love the multiple persepective GL! Let me known if you like the perspective of my pod.

It is always nice to hear what others think about America. When I travel abroad it is really amazing to hear their thoughts. GL from me!


Check out my piece and let me know what you think: link

Bush's biggest blunder, to divide when he had for the first time the opportunity to unite people of the world. Can't wait until his term is over. GL

Very interesting to hear from other "normal" people on how they experience 9/11.

Thank you for making/sharing this pod!

I really like this. Americans (especially in the midwest) have a tendency to think that all foreigners who aren't bleeding-heart sympathetic towards the US in the post-9/11 days are wackos.

Big fat GL.

Thank you for this wonderful pod. In Julius Caesar there is a line that says "the eye does not see itself but as reflection from some other things" I think that it is vital to america's foreign policy to see how the world sees us---afterall that is what foreign policy is about.

what a great idea/story!

Brilliant way of getting a cross-section of voices. Simply presented and powerful. Sorry I didn't pick up on this sooner, but no hesitation giving it a GL now.

it's nice to hear people from different parts of the world give their commentary on the whole 9/11 thing...their critique of the military industrial conflict is important for many people to hear who haven't thought about it up to this point.

I appreciate that this pod still continues to resonate with everyone, especially since its an issue that tends to only come to the front once a year...please pass it along to anyone that would be interested, I would love more people to hear these views!

N

great subject matter, glad to see 9/11 being talked about again at a time where it seems to be forgotten.

Great idea for a story. Execution wasn't great, though. I got a little bored. Too jumbled up. Didn't seem to flow. 5 minutes is too long to look at talking heads. Seemed like a stream of consciousness jumbled up bunch of random opinions about America, not 9/11.

On on completely different subject. I've traveled outside the US and I notice this view that America foreign policy is all about just imposing it's will on people. But when there is Humanitarian crisis in Darfur. doesn't everyone in the world, including Darfur, beg us to do something. They say we have the power to do something. We are the only ones who can help. So US public opinion says, "yes, we should do something about this. Send troops and make the bad people stop." But, a few soldiers die, then the country we are in has civil problems, then we are the bad guy. You can't expect to break up a fight and not get hit in the face.

Powerful to watch, even this many years later. You captured so many feelings and thoughts. Nice job!

When you get a chance, please let me know what you think about my pods, "Retiring in Exhile" and "We have issues..."

Very interesting to hear all the perspectives. GL.

YES but i wanna see this on 9-11-07 just so i wont be all like this is stupid.

YES but i wanna see this on 9-11-07 just so i wont be all like this is stupid.

great to hear different takes on the issue

nuthin but gaping holes.
<a href=" http://current.tv/watch/35647424.htm">link</...

Really cool. GL
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Check out my work sometime, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks <a href=" http://www.current.tv/watch/65947332">link</...

Interesting take on the outside views of 9/11. I think it was well shot for its purposes, you captured the feelings and emotions of the people you were interviewing and that is what was important. Great interviews and good audio = GL!

When you have a quick moment, please let me know what you think about my first uploaded pod; <a href=" http://current.tv/watch/53816101.htm">Susan Cagle</a>. Many thanks!

GL great job. I hope it makes it to the tube. Please check out my L'Oreal AD it titled Don't Stop The Party.
<a href=" http://www.current.tv/watch/85403312">link</...

Great job Nick! Aesthetically, beyond the content, (wonderfully ripe) the voices and settings were as diverse as necessary to really capture the feeling. I feel like I've sat down in people's homes to ask them sensitive questions. Everyone's straight forward candor is very natural and sincere.

Such a poignant piece. Perspectives from those that are not US citizens is interesting. The approach is raw, but the setting is so spot on. Worldly travelers, with valid view points.

Interesting, perhaps, but all-together cliche'. Was a little confused by "A Hostel Remembers." Perhaps in the description or early on (because there's no description when it airs) you can better setup the people, their backgrounds and the concept. The environment isn't interesting when we don't know where it is.

Having been abroad in september during college I can definitely relate..