The Lawrence Brose case gives urgency to the role of non-fictional filmmaking
to the avant-garde community. The case is a prosecutor's dream in certain
respects: the evidence cannot be examined by the public, there is immense fear
that plays into the hands of the prosecution, and it's a major windfall
professionally if you get a conviction and a serious penalty. (The prosecution
of a crime that involves the death of someone is quickly pushed up to a capital
case if it's a child who dies.) Like the typical Amnesty International case
involving another state's violation of the rights of the charged, the
prosecution controls any evaluation of the evidence here. I am reminded of
Erroll Morris' The Thin Blue Line and Nick Broomfield's Eileen Wournos: The
Selling of a Serial Killer, films that resist the easy temptation to sit back
and trust the law. The Brose case also resembles, in certain respects, the
controversies around work like that of
Serrano, Mapplethorpe, and the NEA four, in so far as the charged is not
perceived as particularly important to any traditional values associated with
family or state, the work is easily dismissed in terms of some sort of
perversion rather than recognized for the courage and commitment is
demonstrates, and it protects politically motivated and unscrupulous ambition
from close scrutiny. Brose's work is exemplary of the kind of art that puts
argumentation in the company of experiment, because experiment can involve
personal risk that has little do with art. A populace poorly educated in the
arts easily confuses salesmanship with argument, trusting the resolution of
controversy to authorities, and merely adopting the styles of those who paved
the way. Non-fictional filmmakers coming out of an avant-garde and
experimental context belong amongst formal risk-takers like Brose and should
recognize the questions raised by a case like this as their own.
Bernie
________________________________
From: "[email protected]" <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]; [email protected]
Sent: Thursday, November 15, 2012 9:45 PM
Subject: [Frameworks] New support for Lawrence Brose
Dear Friends and Supporters,
After having to petition the Court for permission to attend, Lawrence has
just returned from a presentation of DE PROFUNDIS at Harvard University,
sponsored by film historian Scott MacDonald. The filmmakers at the
screening were galvanized by the film and by the nature of Lawrence's
case. Word is getting out about the injustice and people are spreading
the news about this case.
Attached is a new support letter written by Louis Grachos, the Director of
the Albright Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo, one of the world's leading art
institutions. Thank you for taking the time to read it as it demonstrates
Lawrence's character as well as stature as an artist.
************************************************************************
We cannot express our gratitude enough for the outpouring of help. There
is a growing momentum of support, but we do need to remind all supporters
that we need to raise a significant amount of money to defend Lawrence's
innocence and help him reclaim his life. Lawrence's legal defense has
depleted his life's savings.
Tax deductible donations to Lawrence's defense can be made through the
National Center for Reason and Justice. http://ncrj.org/lawrence-brose/
NCRJ works for child-protective laws based on science, fairness, and good
sense, and supports people who are falsely accused or convicted of crimes
against children.
Also, please visit the defense fund website
http://lawrencebroselegaldefensefund.com/ The website continues to update
with supportive testimonials and contributions to the art sale to benefit
Lawrence's defense.
To all who are receiving this email, please let us know if you do not want
to receive these updates.
For everyone else, PLEASE SHARE THIS WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES. We
also invite supporters to send us their comments and suggestions for
spreading the word and seeking support. We are confident that justice
will prevail for Lawrence Brose with your help.
Sincerest regards,
The Defense Fund Team
[email protected]
www.lawrencebroselegaldefensefund.com
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