Their "BIG" news 'KNOCKING' documentary

by DannyHaszard 125 Replies latest watchtower scandals

DannyHaszard
Now Showing
Hub, MI - 14 minutes ago
... It may be these experiences, which stem from Engardio's upbringing as a Jehovah's Witness, that have made him a fearless journalist. ... "Knocking" Joel Engardio knows what it's like to be chased away from someone's front door. "I remember once they sicked dogs on us," he said. "We had to run to our car." He also knows what it's like to be ignored after ringing the doorbell. "The lingo is 'Hiding, but home,'" he said. It may be these experiences, which stem from Engardio's upbringing as a Jehovah's Witness, that have made him a fearless journalist. It is definitely a combination of his upbringing and journalism background, which includes a degree from Michigan State University in 1994, that helped him tell the often untold story of Jehovah's Witnesses - beyond them going door to door - in his documentary "Knocking." From winning Supreme Court cases that protect things as important as free speech, being held prisoner in concentration camps for resisting Hitler and his Nazi army and helping push the envelope when it comes to medical advances, Jehovah's Witnesses have had a large impact on history. "After becoming a journalist, I realized, there's a story here no one's told," said Engardio. "I wanted to use Jehovah's Witnesses as a case study." Engardio, 33, who lives in San Francisco, never joined the religion and said although it was not the right fit for him, he respects the religion's place in society. His goal for "Knocking" was to simply show Jehovah's Witnesses for who they are, not to slant it one way or the other. Since members are often disliked or misunderstood, they were hesitant to tell their story. "It took a lot of effort to build (their) trust," he said. The film explores the lives of Joseph Kempler, a Jewish Holocaust survivor who converted to the religion; Seth Thomas, a 23-year-old in need of a liver transplant who will not receive a blood transfusion due to his beliefs, making the surgery extremely risky; and Lillian Gobitas, who was expelled from her school in the late 1930s when she refused to salute the American flag. "Knocking" gives viewers an intimate look at the very private struggles and successes in these people's lives. The film took three years to make and cost $300,000, 75 percent of which was covered by a grant from PBS, which will air the documentary in the fall as part of its "Independent Lens" series. Engardio is attending the showing and looking forward to being back in East Lansing. "I used to be a writer at The State News," he said. "So I'm looking forward to seeing their new offices." Details
- 7 p.m. Friday, March 24
- 65 minutes, not rated
- Theater A, Wells Hall
DannyHaszard

More reviews- East Lansing Film Festival crams the cranium
City Pulse, MI - 2 hours ago
... For anyone who’s ever felt guilty for slamming a door in the face of a seemingly well-intentioned Jehovah’s Witness, here’s your shot at redemption. ... CAN I GET A WITNESS? For anyone who’s ever felt guilty for slamming a door in the face of a seemingly well-intentioned Jehovah’s Witness, here’s your shot at redemption. “Knocking” is a non-partisan exploration of the religion (not cult) by filmmakers Joel Engardio and Tom Shepard. While not shying away from the fundamentalist stigma that sticks to Jehovah’s Witnesses (They stalk people in parking lots! They won’t take no for an answer!), “Knocking” also shows how their literal adherence to the Bible has spurred legal and medical breakthroughs.

The film trails two Jehovah’s Witness families as they confront the stickier aspects of their faith. In one thread, a Holocaust survivor attempts a reconciliation between his Jewish family and his Jehovah’s Witnesses family. The other, more compelling narrative follows a Texas family as it looks for a hospital that will perform a “bloodless” liver transplant on their dying son (Jehovah’s Witnesses don’t believe in blood transfusions), exploring the heartbreaking decision one family member makes.

— Allan Ross
DannyHaszard

Knock knock: Flint Film Fest brings Jehovah Witnesses documentary ...
MLive.com, MI - 8 minutes ago
By Ed Bradley. He's not a member of Jehovah's Witnesses, but Joel P. Engardio wants you to know that the religious group does more than just knock on your door Knock knock: Flint Film Fest brings Jehovah Witnesses documentary here FLINT THE FLINT JOURNAL FIRST EDITION Wednesday, April 26, 2006 By Ed Bradley [email protected] • 810.766.6258 He's not a member of Jehovah's Witnesses, but Joel P. Engardio wants you to know that the religious group does more than just knock on your door. Raised as a Witness in Saginaw, where he spent much of his boyhood going door to door with his devout mother, Engardio respects the controversial Christian group's role in society and thinks more people ought to know about it. In his new documentary, "Knocking" - to be shown at this weekend's Flint Film Festival - Engardio, a San Francisco-based filmmaker and freelance journalist, cites the Witnesses' roles in supporting civil liberties, condemning the Holocaust and aiding in medical advances. "The Jehovah's Witnesses are famous because everyone has had one knock on their door, but people don't seem to know anything about them," Engardio said in a recent interview. "They are dismissed as irrelevant, as a cult, so I wanted to make a film that shows what they are, and the audience is left to decide." Engardio, 33, says he's not partial to the Witnesses. But he believes "Knocking" has special importance because of the way the apolitical Witnesses coexist in society as opposed to right-leaning fundamentalist Christians. "Anyone who watches the film would get the idea that they would rather have a religious person knock on their door instead of going behind their back and legislate their beliefs," Engardio said. In the film, directed by Engardio and Tom Shepard, the 130-year-old history of the Witnesses includes their stand against the Nazi state - they were among the first groups placed in concentration camps and used an international network of members to smuggle information out of the camps. Also highlighted is how the group's aversion to blood transfusions - based on an interpretation of the Bible that blood is sacred - had led to advancements in bloodless surgery. But Engardio's biggest argument for the Witnesses' importance is in the group's battles for protections in free speech and free assembly. Jehovah's Witnesses have gone before the U.S. Supreme Court 46 times, more than any other group, the film says, most recently in a 2002 Supreme Court decision affirming speech rights in the wake of the Sept. 11 tragedy. "Jehovah's Witnesses aren't activists," Engardio said. "They didn't go to court to defend society, only because they tried to do their commandments, but the (rulings) served everybody." Engardio began knocking on doors with his mother - the only Witness in his mainly Catholic family - at "age 5 or 6," he said. "At that age, I didn't realize what we were doing. ... As I got older, I would be hoping we wouldn't come to the door of a teacher or classmate. There would be a certain self-awareness or embarrassment. "Those who knock today, it's not easy for them. They feel a sense of fear or nervousness, but they do it anyway." Engardio graduated from Michigan State University in 1994. He has written for the Los Angeles Times, New York Times, San Francisco Chronicle and other publications and was an associate producer for the ABC newsmagazine "20/20." He also consults as a media and communications strategist for the American Civil Liberties Union. Engardio says he doesn't subscribe to any organized faiths, that "there's definitely room for all kinds of religions. But he respects the faith in which he grew up but never joined. "This country was founded on principles of freedom of religion and personal liberty, and those things are what divide us right now," he said. "That's why I made this film." "Knocking" will be shown at the third annual Flint Film Festival at 6 p.m. Friday and noon Saturday in the Flint Institute of Arts Theatre and noon Sunday in the FIA Art School Lecture Room and Fleckenstein Video Gallery. The festival runs Thursday through Sunday at the FIA, 1120 E. Kearsley St. Information: (810) 237-FILM, www.flintfilmfestival.com , www.knocking.org . ---------------------------------- [email protected] • 810.766.6258 contact reporter http://www.mlive.com/contactus/ Newspaper contact feedback page
kid-A

He also consults as a media and communications strategist for the American Civil Liberties Union.
I wonder if the ACLU knows that they are using a watchtower huckster for consulting? We should be e-mailing the ACLU about the nonsense Engardio is espousing in this documentary.
The WTS is in violation of pretty much EVERY American Civil Liberty (and Canadian) for that matter !!!

DannyHaszard

Trenton Film Festival a box office hit
Trenton Times, NJ - 1 hour ago
... An event that ended last night with an awards ceremony and a closing party, the festival attracted all sorts, from Jehovah's Witnesses who packed a screening ... [email protected] reporter above The biggest draw of this year's festival was Joel P. Engardio and Tom Shepard's East Coast premiere of "Knocking," an absorbing 65-minute documentary about Jehovah's Witnesses that drew an audience more more than 200 to the state museum Saturday afternoon. After the screening, Shepard commented, "It's great to see the film with a group of people who `get' it." Among the people who vigorously applauded the revealing documentary was Terri Taylor of Ewing who said, "I speak for some in the audience who are Witnesses. I like the point of view that is not prejudiced against people who are Witnesses." Toni Santiago of Queens, N.Y., brought her daughters Dana Storm and Bianca along to see the movie they learned about on a Witnesses Web site. "I like that the film didn't show Witnesses as a cult. Maybe, if people see it, they won't be so quick to close the door in our faces," said Dana. "Even I learned something new." ------------------------------ Film festival attendance up and rising
Indianapolis Star, United States - 2 hours ago
... earlier and were stunned at how they were able to pull all the ideas together to create this really interesting thesis related to the Jehovah's Witnesses.". ...
[email protected] reporter above

"It was glorious. We saw 'Knocking' earlier and were stunned at how they were able to pull all the ideas together to create this really interesting thesis related to the Jehovah's Witnesses."

DannyHaszard

KNOCKING documentary update
Newsletter May 2006

AWARDS:

KNOCKING was given the jury award for Best Documentary at the USA Film
Festival in Dallas.

KNOCKING also won the audience award for Best Documentary at the
Indianapolis International Film Festival.

FILM FESTIVALS:

KNOCKING has been seen by sold-out crowds at the following festivals:
-- Trenton, New Jersey
-- Flint, Michigan
-- Indianapolis, Indiana
-- Dallas, Texas
-- Cleveland, Ohio
-- East Lansing, Michigan
-- Reno, Nevada

As more festivals accept KNOCKING throughout the summer and fall, we
will
keep you posted.

KNOCKING IN YOUR TOWN:

If KNOCKING was shown at a film festival in your town and you were
unable
the get tickets, or if KNOCKING was not included in your town's film
festival, you can bring KNOCKING to your community for everyone who
wants to
see it. Many people in various parts of the country have asked what it
takes
to organize a screening in their hometown. The process is simple: put
together a local organizing committee and contact a community events
theater. Many city-run community event theaters are used to handling
this
kind of event. If necessary, charge a small admission fee to cover
theater
rental and operating costs (the community event theaters often deduct
the
operating and rental costs directly from ticket sales through their own
box
office). You might also want to try to use theater space at a local
high
school or community college. We want local people to organize
screenings
since they know their own community best. The most important job is
word of
mouth advertising and getting people to attend. And a local person is
better
suited for spreading the word. We will make a professional grade
exhibition
copy available for your local screening on "Beta SP." Inform the
theater
that KNOCKING is shown on a "Beta SP" tape that requires a "Beta deck."
This
is the common format for film festivals, as most independent "films"
are not
on actual film anymore. If the theater does not have Beta deck
capability, a
DVD can be provided for projection. Please note, that a "community
screening" is not for a dozen or so of your friends. We will provide
exhibition quality tapes for large gatherings of 100 or more people. If
you
want to organize your own community screening, please email
[email protected] with the word "SCREENING" in the subject
heading.
Because of the huge demand for screenings in every part of the country,
we
have limited ability to assist you in your organizing. This will have
to be
a grassroots effort that is done locally by you.

KNOCKING IN YOUR HOME:

Later this summer we will have more information about the DVD version
of
KNOCKING, which will include 3 hours of extra material and a study
guide.
The DVD will also feature the long version of KNOCKING. The television
broadcast version is 10 minutes shorter.

KNOCKING ON TV:

KNOCKING will be seen on the PBS series Independent Lens in the
upcoming
2006-07 season. We'll know the broadcast date closer to when the season
starts this fall.

KNOCKING ONLINE:

We hope to update the www.knocking.org web site this summer. But please
forward the site to those who have not seen it yet. And if you haven't
already, be sure to submit your email address in the "more information"
area
so we can continue updating you about festival screenings, the DVD and
the
PBS broadcast.

This Update is sponsored by Open Door Films, and is provided as a
public
service to support conversations around the film, "Knocking." If you
wish
to unsubscribe from this newsletter, just send a blank email to
[email protected].
DannyHaszard

KNOCKING Newsletter
Summer 2006
www.knocking.org

Tell everyone you know in New York and Michigan to take advantage of a
unique opportunity this summer to see KNOCKING in a theater on the big
screen before it is broadcast on PBS and before the DVD is made
available.

1. See KNOCKING in New York in July
2. See KNOCKING in Michigan in July/August
3. See KNOCKING on PBS series Independent Lens: 2006-07 season starts
in
October
4. DVDs ready in September

*KNOCKING IN NEW YORK: July 17
See a sneak preview at the Long Island Internationsl Film Expo in
Bellmore,
NY. KNOCKING will screen on Monday, July 17 at 4:30pm. There will be
two
unrelated short films that will precede KNOCKING. Each of the shorts
are 30
minutes. KNOCKING will begin at 5:30pm, but you will need to get your
seat
at 4:30pm before the shorts start. Holocaust survivor Joseph Kempler,
who is
featured in KNOCKING, will attend the Long Island screening and take
questions from the audience.
For tickets, contact the theater Bellmore Movies at 516-783-3199 or
vist
online at www.longislandfilm.com

Getting to the theater Bellmore Movies is easy from the New York
metropolitan area. Take Long Island Railroad to the Bellmore stop. Walk
down
the platform and Belllmore Movies is right across the street.

*KNOCKING IN MICHIGAN: July 29, August 5, August 12
The historic Temple Theater will screen KNOCKING in Saginaw, Michigan
for
three Saturdays in a row this summer: July 29, August 5, and August 12.
The
Temple Theater is a "movie palace" built in 1927 and has been fully
restored
to its original splendor. Crystal chandeliers and ornate paintings
adorn the
nearly 2,000-seat theater with its giant four-story screen. A live
organist
performs for a half-hour before each show, as the period organ raises
from
and lowers back into the stage floor.

Tickets are $5 for adults and $2 for students. There is family rate of
$15
for two adults and all the kids. Buy tickets at the door. Theater opens
at
7pm. Organ performance at 7:30pm. KNOCKING begins at 8pm. The film is
one
hour, so it won't be a late night.

The Temple Theater is an easy drive from all points in Michigan. Take
I-75
to I-675 "Downtown Sagainw" exit. Continue I-675 to "5th/6th Aves. --
Downtown" exit. Turn left on Washington Ave.
Address: 203 N. Washington Ave. Saginaw, MI 48607
Phone: 989-754-7469

Michigan's famous "Little Bavaria" Frankenmuth and Birch Run Outlet
Malls
just 20 minutes south of Temple Theater. Come make a day of it.

Saginaw is also hosting a district convention of Jehovah's Witnesses
the
same weekends KNOCKING will screen at the Temple Theater. The
convention is
at the Dow Events Center, across the street from the Temple Theater.
The
convention finishes for the day at 5pm. If you are attending the
convention,
enjoy dinner and come back to the Temple Theater for the 8pm showing of
KNOCKING. It will be done by 9pm, so you won't be too tired for the
start of
the convention the next morning.

Please spread the word to those you know in Michigan. This is a unique
opportunity to see KNOCKING.

Remember: Saturday July 29, Aug. 5 and Aug. 12 at 8pm.

Director Joel Engardio will attend the Aug. 5 show and take questions
from
the audience.

*SEE KNOCKING ON PBS
The broadcast date for KNOCKING on the PBS series Independent Lens will
be
announced in August. The 2006-07 season begins in October.

*DVD READY IN SEPTEMBER
Please check www.knocking.org to order your DVD starting in September.
This
will include the longer film festival version, plus 3 hours of extra
video
material and a 48-page printed study guide. More details to come.
-------
This Update is sponsored by Open Door Films, and is provided as a
public
service to support conversations around the film, "Knocking." If you
wish
DannyHaszard

I find it pretty amazing that any of you would pre-judge something that you haven't even seen in its final form or even a rough-cut of. All you have is the description of the thing and what it has been described and what is from the website. But the thing isn't even done yet!
Why not wait to see how it actually turns out and then complain about it if you must? When you actually have facts or counter-arguments or flaws to point out. You don't know what the documentary will cover and what it won't, etc. and you are all gong off about it.
You lost a lot of credibility with this one Danny.
This kind of thing only gives opposers to JWs a bad name and proves that you are just as judgmental and biased as Jehovah's Witnesses can be. You are all no better because just as JWs do not permit certain speech and try to place a chilling effect upon certain speech - all of you that have posted in this thread advocating a prior-restraint or speaking out against this movie are doing exactly the same thing that the Society does.
-Eduardo

Earlier on,Eduardo had challenged Danny Haszard for crying foul on this being a Watchtower puff piece from the get-go.
announced in August. The 2006-07 season begins in October.

Please check www.knocking.org to ;order your DVD starting in September.

This

will include the longer film festival version, plus 3 hours of extra

video

material and a 48-page printed study guide . More details to come.
Jourles

Earlier on,Eduardo had challenged Danny Haszard for crying foul on this being a Watchtower puff piece from the get-go.

If this wasn't a WTS approved "puff-piece," then why is Joel E. having this screened in Saginaw during the weekends of the DC? Is it because he KNOWS that no one other than jw's will go see this film?
This film is, and was made for jw's only. No one else will really care about it. As I mentioned in my review of the film in East Lansing, over 95% of the audience consisted of jw's.
I think that a few here from MI should go up to the Aug. 5 showing and ask Joel a few questions - real pointed questions.
DannyHaszard

KNOCKING Update
July 2006

If you live in Michigan, Georgia or New York -- or know someone who
does --
don't miss the chance to see a sneak preview of KNOCKING.

Saginaw, Michigan
July 29, Aug. 5, and Aug.12 at 8pm
Temple Theater
203 N. Washington Ave.
989-754-7469
Tickets $5, students $2.

The Temple Theater is a nearly 2,000-seat "movie palace" built in 1927.
It
has been fully restored to its original splendor. Three Saturday
evening
shows in July and August. Doors open at 7pm. Live organ music at
7:30pm.
Film starts at 8pm. Director Joel P. Engardio will take questions from
the
audience at the Aug. 5 showing.
Easy to get to from all points in Michigan: take I-75 to I-675
"Downtown
Saginaw"

**********************
Rome, Georgia
Rome International Film Festival
September 9 at 3pm
www.riff.tv

Rome is situated between three metropolitan areas: Atlanta; Birmingham,
Alabama; and Chattanooga, Tennessee. If you live in Atlanta, Birmingham
or
Chattanooga this is your only chance to see KNOCKING before it is
broadcast
on PBS. Please go to the festival web site at www.riff.tv (that's .tv)
for
details and tcket information.

***********************
Long Island, New York
Long Island International Film Expo
July 17 at 4:30pm
Bellmore Movies
Bellmore, New York
516-783-3199
www.longislandfilm.com

Last chance to see KNOCKING in the New York area. Take Long Island
Railroad
to Bellmore stop. Theater is across the street from the railway
platform, on
the north side of the tracks.

***********************
DVD Update

If you haven't already, enter your email address at www.knocking.org
(click
where it says "more info") so you can get word when the DVD is ready.
There
will be 3 hours of extra video material, including a "Lecture Series"
with
experts in the fields of medical ethics, civil liberties and Holocaust
history. Plus, rare official interviews with Jehovah's Witness
spokesmen.
And a printed 48-page study/discussion guide of historical and social
analysis will come with each DVD.

**********************
PBS Update

KNOCKING will be nationally broadcast on the PBS series Independent
Lens in
the upcoming 2006-07 season. Broadcast date will be announced in
September.
Call your local PBS station to make sure they carry the series
"Independent
Lens." Each of the 300 PBS affiliate stations in the United States has
discretion as to whether they will broadcast the national PBS feed or
rearrange the shows to their own taste. If a PBS station thinks there
won't
be local interest in a subject, they might put something else on or
move the
show to the middle of the night. Be sure to let your PBS station know
that
there are Jehovah's Witnesses and others in your community who want to
see
KNOCKING.

This Update is sponsored by Open Door Films, and is provided as a
public
service to support conversations around the film, "Knocking." If you
wish

Their "BIG" news 'KNOCKING' documentary

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