Thursday, April 3, 2008

Food Fight!!!

"The last time I talked to documentary filmmaker Micki Dickoff, we were standing on Center Avenue in my hometown during the Edgar Ray Killen trial. I was yelling at her for trying to own the story of long-overdue justice and the people who had fought for it for so long..."
http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/comments.php?id=16718_0_7_0_C

How old were you Ms. Ladd? Past 40 at the time?

Don't feel too bad Micki. I've gotten emails from her based on some Google alert that had her name in one of my posts and she took it completely out of context because she didn't bother to read the whole post. See comments section below. There are so many things I could say about this exchange.

7 comments:

Kingfish said...

COMMENTS
You have a lot of nerve to criticize a film you have not seen. Is that what a good journalist does? Jerry Mitchell chose to write about a very small part of the film which does call for the prosecution of all the men who participated in the murders of Chaney, Goodman and Schwerner. However, our film is much more complex than that. Ultimately, our film is about healing and racial reconciliation, and about bringing people together; it is definitely not a one-dimensional story.

I started researching this film in 1999 when I met Carolyn Goodman and the Chaney family. Both families asked me to make a film that would tell the truth about how a mob of Klansmen, who bragged openly about killing three innocent, unarmed kids, could get away with murder for 40 years. In 2004, I teamed with my friend and colleague Tony Pagano to make NESHOBA. Tony and I funded the entire film out-of-pocket, using our credit cards, taking second mortgages on our homes and writing grants. We worked without salary for four years and did every job ourselves including all the pre production, production and post production. We shot 300 hours of footage and made 20 trips to Mississippi during 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Since we had been filming for a year before the trial began (and did not know when we started filming that there would be an indictment or a trial), Tony and I became very close with the victims’ families and with heroes like Florence Mars. I spoke with Florence, Carolyn Goodman and Fannie Lee Chaney every Saturday since 2004, until each passed away. They were my friends and I miss them dearly. For the record, Tony and I did not own anybody’s story nor did we have exclusive contracts with anyone. Florence and the families took it upon themselves not to give interviews with other filmmakers, as they were concerned by all the film crews who showed up at the trial who had big budgets and quick turnarounds. We, of course, appreciated their loyalty.

I also resent your accusation that we pretended to be bigots to get interviews with anyone, including Killen. We lied to no one. We merely asked people to tell their own stories. All anyone has to do is Google my name to see who I am and the kinds of films I’ve made over the past 30 years. I even gave the Killen family some of my films, so they could see my work. I wasn’t hiding from anyone. Our goal was to tell the story from many points of view, including Killen’s, in order to get at the truth.

You also insinuate that I am an “outsider,” but did you know I have a personal connection to Mississippi too? My father grew up in the Delta, in a small town called Itta Bena. I spent much of my childhood in Mississippi, including the summer of 1964. I begged my parents to let me participate in Freedom Summer, but because I was only 17 at the time, they would not give me permission. The murders of Chaney, Goodman and Schwerner haunted me my whole life. I only wish my father was still alive to see the film. This is not just your story, Donna, but my story too! In fact, it is America’s story. Your use of the word “outsiders” has echoes of the “us against them” mentality that prevailed in Mississippi when the Freedom Summer volunteers arrived. Since you haven’t seen the film, Donna, how do you know we got it wrong? We believe our film finally tells the unvarnished truth – the good, the bad and the ugly! -- Micki Dickoff, filmmaker




Posted by: Micki on Apr 03, 08 | 4:28 pm

Anonymous said...

You might want to post all the comments as Ladd will likely get out her pruning shears anytime to clip out anything, and everything, that doesn't reflect most favorably on her own behavior and motives.

She's.so.f'ing.predictable.

Kingfish said...

In this day of Youtube, there is nothing to stop her from making her own documentary.

In fact, if her paper hadn't written that little hit peice on Tougaloo's land deals (never mind DJP and its land deals downtown) around the Civil Rights Museum, she probably could have worked out a deal with the people that will operate it to sponsor a documentary produced by the JFP in an area in which she has true expertise.

I don't blame the exclusive contracts at all on the filmmakers. They work their asses off, have a vision and try to bring it to fruition. Its called business and they want to protect their leads and sources. Its not a flattering part of the business but I do understand it even if I don't like it.

Kingfish said...

by the way Micki, if the film winds up on youtube, I'll post it here.

Anonymous said...

It takes money to make even a bare-bones documentary. Ladd and Stauffer have no money. They couldn't pay their taxes. If it wasn't for the DJP bailout they'd still be deep in the red-ink bucket.

Kingfish said...

That is why I said the Civil Rights Museum probably would have been interested in sponsoring a similar type film.

Anonymous said...

What "land deals" does DJP have downtown? My understanding was that that particular entity isn't "in" on any "land deals" directly, although it represents/works with entities/businesses that are.



Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.