10/2006
Richard Cohen - email: rbc24@earthlink.net
In 1970 I began a documentary investigation
into the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. At the
time, I was a student. Eighteen years later, I returned to
Louisiana to finish the film, only I found myself more interested
in why people came to witness a particular event in their town
than solving the murder: Members of CORE had gathered in town to
insist upon their rights to be registered voters, and town
officials were there to oppose the civil rights movement. With
the help of cinematographer Baird Bryant and co-producer Carol Kachmer
we put together a very memorable unfinished hour long documentary
called ROUGH SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN. It was screened three times
about fifteen years ago, and put on a shelf.
I heard that film critic FX Feeney included ROUGH SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN
on a recent list of the "ten most unseen documentaries that should be
seen". FX reviewed ROUGH SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN at one of the rare public
shows and wrote: "What lingers in the memory is a lucid,
folkloric portrait of a decisive moment in American history.
Annie Mae Scott, Mama Joe Holmes, Henry Earl Palmer, Reeves
Morgan: these people shared the earth of 1963 as much as Kennedy
or any murderous cabal. With the blessing of Cohen, Kachmer and
Bryant's tender, alert camera, they live in history as
well. They aren't going away"
Until the end of November 2006, you can order a DVD copy of ROUGH
SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN, an unfinished 16mm documentary film- in-
progress for $99 (includes shipping) plus $8.04 tax for
California residents. This film is not sold anywhere else. It features
interviews with witnessess, Jim Garrison, and others. Please send a
check or money order to Richard Cohen Films, Post Office Box 1012,
Venice, CA 90294-1012.
Best, Richard
http://www.richardcohenfilms.com
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