The documentary is as compelling as it is thought provoking. You are literally sucked into a time capsule. You remember or try to remember what you were doing, thinking or feeling on that day at 8:00am or 11:00pm. Editor/curator/co-producer/filmmaker, Jeff Deucthman and his contributing filmmakers and film crew have created a bit of magic here. It wasn’t the usual documentary where I wanted to step away and grab a bite to eat. It wasn’t people far removed from us. It was us; whether you were busy getting involved, watching the television screen, overhearing conversations on the subject or sitting minding your own business. It was you me, everyone in almost every corner of the globe, doing something that day to some maybe it was a day just like every other day. Some of the films footage gave you Goosebumps and others made you laugh. I laughed after the woman from Portage, Indiana sought refuge in her car after conversing with a slightly delusional homeowner. I used to work with the mentally impaired, the paranoid and delusional type. I remember taking some of my clients to the polling centers, hoping they would vote responsibly after giving them the roster printer from each candidate’s website, all while remaining objective. That was hardest part. I remember putting up signs and meeting all sorts of people with all sorts of views. I remember every time my friend and I stopped at the toll booth we would encourage the teller to vote. I wish back then that I had brought my camera along.
Anyway, the person I had hoped would win did not prevail that year. What stays with me the most is the struggle, the way it affected me and those around me. Going into the 2008 election, I almost sheltered myself from wanting something so much as I remember the disappointment, waking up in the morning and realizing it wasn’t enough. I actually stayed up this time and waited, TV off, to help dampen the angst. I couldn’t begin to fathom what this historic day would mean for America and the effect it would have in other nations. As this documentary rolled on and the evening came to a close, more and more states turned blue for Obama. I remember feeling that same anxiety that plagued me during that other election. Oh, let me close my eyes let me close my eyes. I can’t watch this, even though I know the outcome. I also remember on that day, pausing for a while and thinking if he won how could he measure up. So many people were looking for miracles, someone with a magic wand, some sort of half man, half God and I worried that people would irrationally believe a man could fix what had been broken in this country in just 4 short years. I knew it wouldn’t be too long before his very supporters would become impatient. Like the Israelites became with Moses. People can easily become fickle when disillusioned. But that really didn’t matter, how could I worry about that, It’s like winning the lottery and worrying if any problems will result, sure people will get greedy, angry, feel slighted but most people would still take the money and why not. It’s about time you got a little something. You can’t please everyone.
After watching this documentary, I realized something. No matter the battle, it’s about melding together for a common cause. That’s the difference this election had made. No matter the side you choose in life, it’s the journey the collective struggle that counts. When you don’t have something to fight for, it leaves you empty, aimless. It leaves you hopeless. That’s the greatest effect it had on me and this documentary brought it all back, to remind me, to remind us all just how one day of united hope can make us feel.
I must give credit to those camera men and women including Jeff Deutchman, who took the time to record that day. Below are their names and the corresponding locations. To see more footage or to participate by sending your election day footage please visit www.11-4-08.com
- Henry Joost-Manhattan
- Lauren Goldenberg-Chicago
- Becky Hurwitz-St Louis
- Joe & Kris Swanberg-Michigan City/Portage,
- Indiana Benh Zeitlin-New Orleans
- Marcus Cohlan-Los Angeles
- Clara Kim-Brooklyn
- Steve Backer-Dubai
- Marco Naggar-Geneva
- Viktor Jakovleski-Berlin
- Thomas Humphries-Austin
- Jon Lefkovitz- Los Angeles
- Alex Sherman-Chicago
- Laurence Lascary-Paris
- Nell Timreck-New Delhi
- Margaret Brown-Manhattan
- Will Schmenner-Chicago
