LA Shorts Fest 09: We Love You, Jonathan Kalafer
Interview with Director Jonathan Kalafer
Since the summer of 1972 people from alternative walks of life meet to create a harmonious and friendly woodland haven. Funded purely through the generosity of 
those who gather together and apply their skills for free- whole villages, sanitation facilities and kitchens are developed. Known as the Rainbow Gatherings they believe in goodwill and inclusion amongst the community and yet they face harsh oppression from authorities and Federal enforcement agencies. We Love You documents the group through one particular summer celebration in a Wyoming forest highlighting the determination of those whose ultimate message is peace. Director and writer Jonathan Kalafer talks to Hollie Miller at Cinema Without Borders about We Love You ahead of the July 27th screening at the LA Shorts Fest 2009:
What was the driving force behind making the documentary We Love You?
I had been to Rainbow Gatherings years ago and found them to be a fascinating phenomenon unlike anything else I had ever seen. One thing that fascinated me was that they have endured for almost 40 years despite being an anarchic co-operative effort and the pressure from Federal Law Enforcement who seem determined to end them. They have been around for so long, attracting tens of thousands to the wilderness for this unique and amazing event and most people have never heard of them. That is very motivating to me as a documentary filmmaker, and I felt driven to share some of what their story can contribute.
Two key themes are inclusion and oppression can you tell us a bit more about how this was explored?
Rainbow Gatherings are very inclusive places. As their name suggests most Rainbows feel that diversity and acceptance are key to the Gathering. There is no ticket or price of admission to either attend the Gathering, or to eat at the kitchens there and you can’t really be kicked out for any reason. It is not too hard to see how this can be challenging as some people who are often said to “need more healing than others” show up and create problems for the Gathering. Another challenge to the Gathering comes from Federal Law enforcement who target them. They set up checkpoints and searched vehicles, and were quick to use their “less lethal” weapons using tasers and shooting pepper spray pellets into the Children and Family area of the Gathering known as Kid Village. Seeing the footage of the scared children, the pepper spray clouds, and the military assault is still overwhelming every time I view the film. But despite these challenges from inside and out Rainbows still have a Gathering every year.
How do you think the shooting style contributes to the representation of the people?
Well, we were very lucky to have Bradford Young as our Cinematographer. He is an amazing talent and really did justice to the subject. We were out in this sublime natural setting in Wyoming so it didn’t seem appropriate to clip a lav on the subject and set up lights. We shot using natural light and campfire light which is abundant at night. There is also a psychedelic theme at the Gatherings so we felt stuff like slow shutter, time lapse, and creative angles worked well.
We Love You is being screened at the LA Shorts Fest on July 27th, what are your hopes for the documentary?
I am looking forward to screening it and having a dialog with the audience. It is interesting to see viewers’ reaction to We Love You, this documentary in particular always seems to get people talking and creates a strong reaction.
WE LOVE YOU: Theatrical Trailer from Jonathan Kalafer on Vimeo.
For more information on the film visit the website http://www.weloveyoufilm.com
Documentary / USA / 40 min.
Director: Jonathan Kalafer
Producer: Steve Kalafer, Phil DiFiore
Writer: Jonathan Kalafer
August 3rd, 2009 at 1:09 am
[...] Cinema Without Borders did a nice little interview with Director Jonathan Kalafer on their blog. [...]