Hello,

I have suddenly found myself in a position to actually do something that
might help promote world peace.  It is a project larger than I am and Yoko
Ono has always been in my mind as a part of this.

I was a producer on a film about apartheid in South Africa, "Ubuntu's
Wounds." This film was nominated for a student Oscar last year, won a number
of film festivals and was bought by HBO. In attending those film festivals,
I met a number of third-world filmmakers who have made astonishing films
which I believe Americans need to see. I believe that in these troubled
times, we need to understand exactly what life is like "out there." Yet,
while we send out a relentless flood of films and television about our
supposed lifestyle - mansions in Malibu, shooting each other constantly -
very little comes back to us. Not only that but we show such insensitivity
to the lives other people lead - we send the Food Channel to Ethiopia and
provide them with satellite dishes so they can watch it!

I went to Cannes this year and, as I was driving down from Paris, it
occurred to me that I had to go to the Kodak Pavilion and convince them to
donate 35mm film to deserving disenfranchised filmmakers so that they can
make the quality of their films more compatible with what American
distributors are used to buying. To my surprise, they not only agreed but
asked that my non-profit organization supervise that distribution. They have
agreed to do this for 15-20 films.

I then called Panavision, who agreed to supply cameras (if available) and
also raised the issue of qualified operators. At the moment I am putting
together a proposal for training programs that IATSE International has
agreed to recommend to its various autonomous chapters.

Through partnerships with LeBrocquy/Fraser (whose film "Osama" won two
awards at Cannes and has been bought by UA for American distribution) and
FilmClix.com (a downloadable video rental service for foreign films set to
launch on August 1st), I have managed to identify a number of projects which
would enlighten and entertain American audiences while also going some
distance toward bridging the gap between those two worlds.

The first such project is an omnibus project called "Five Worlds" to be shot
in Iran, Afghanistan, Palestine, Malaysia and Indonesia. It will consist of
five 20-minute stories by award-winning native directors, each illustrating
the effects that recent political and social events have had on the people
of that country. We expect to begin shooting in October.

We intend to begin pre-production in September on our second project,
"Almayer's Folly." This is an adaptation of Joseph Conrad's first novel, to
be shot in Borneo and starring Harvey Keitel as a Dutch colonialist raping
both the people and the land at the turn of the 20th Century. The script is
astonishing. It pains me to admit it - having written a couple dozen scripts
myself - but this is by far the best script I have ever read. Not only is it
lyrical and visually eloquent but it tells the story of colonialism from the
standpoint of the natives. Harvey's character is acted upon rather than the
protagonist.

We believe that people throughout the world are the same with the same basic
needs and desires. It is surprising to me that, with all that digging for
oil, no one ever seems to dig for water. It is not that the countries of the
Middle East have no water, it is that the water is not easily accessible.
Rather than spending billions on war, we would like to see some research
done into accessing that water. Think about it for a moment: How would it be
to not be able to take a shower when you wanted a shower - let alone, a dip
in the pool? Through this means, we can increase the standard of living and
the whole world would become part of our marketplace, increasing jobs
worldwide. More trees and plants on this planet will repair the ozone layer,
limit global warming.

I am certain that you realize that our government is already thinking
globally. We would like to propose an alternative to previous attempts at
world domination which will benefit all humanity and may even allow us to be
the good guys once again.  Is there any way that Ms. Ono might be interested
in being involved with all this?

By the way, I'm in Paw Paw, Michigan, and a 35-year friend of Leni Sinclair.

Sincerely,

Deborah

Good luck with the event

peace and best wishes

Richard Sherman
Lennon Look-a-like
 www.justlikelennon.com
www.seedism.com

I just love this idea .. i think that there needs to be more of this ... ALL THE PEOPLE loving and getting together ... and sharing their feelings of love and not hate.  

I have two beautiful daughters and I just hope that they will teach others to love as they love ... my daughters are very kind souls .. they always try to help and give to others without asking anything but maybe a hug in return .. i think we need more of this in our world. My daughters are ages 6 and 3. I also have a 16 year old sister that does the same. 

I try to do as much as i possibly can for all others no matter the situation .. not trying to boast .. i just would like to see others doing the same.  I believe that if everyone would do this that our world would be a better place for our future and the future of the children and their children. 

I hope that you all will live with nothing but peace and love in your hearts ...

Bless you all .. 

Danielle