Thanks so much for your thoughtful comments and for taking the time to come see the film.

I didn’t read the Globe’s review (only scanned it) - and came away with the conclusion that the reviewer was simply misinformed. To reach kids and actually speak with them, the documentary format of old (your father’s documentary) does not do the trick - they fall asleep, text, twitter during most documentaries. (Those documentaries might win the Academy Award - but will never be seen by a teenage audience.) I am sure that if we slowed down the pace and injected despair and the carnage of the ravages of poverty, that might have been more appealing to older more traditional reviewers - but the kids live that - I saw no need to serve that up for no real purpose.

We have had so many reports of kids being riveted during the film - apparently they have been breaking out spontaneously in applause and cheers - and to keep their attention for 84 minutes is no mean feat… but it is clear that we cut the film in a way to keep their attention and spark their imagination - and their reviews are the most important.

Thanks so much, my old friend - for your thoughtful comments and review.