We’d love to have your comments.
If you have seen “Jailed For Their Words,” tell us what you liked or didn’t like.
If you haven’t seen it, we have information on our website on how you can do so.
If you’d like to comment on either the history of the First Amendment in the United States, or its current condition, please be succinct and to the point.
Thanks,
Clem Work and Gita Saedi Kiely
Advertisement
I’ve seen your wonderful film twice, and found it even more moving the second time than the first. By straightforward, understated storytelling, it makes a powerful statement about the human cost, to families, of popularly condoned and promoted violation of constitutional rights. It conveys an important message in this era of firestorms over lapel pins, the Pledge of Allegiance, government surveillance, flag “desecration” and the like, and I hope it will eventually be viewed by a national audience. — Bob McGiffert
I have been following film/tv productions in Montana since student days at then Montana State College when our equipment was hand wind 16 mm cameras. “Jailed For Their Words” is one of, if not the best documentary to come out of our state. The direction is superb, and the editing and use of still photography exceed the benchmarks established by Ken Burns. The film (as does the book) takes an easily ignored historical event and intellectually and emotionally generates a feeling of empathy that not only contemporizes the suffering and injustice of that historic period, but also skillfully warns the viewer that the historical evils of suppression of free speech and the demonization of minority nationalities are alive and well. Sadly the timing for the film is perfect. Bravo, Clem and Gita.
My wife and I watched JFTW last night with three friends.
We were so impressed and moved and terrified and moved again.
I especially hope this series is shown in schools across the state–and across the country. It takes the past to show us present.
Benjamin Franklin, 1775: “They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.”
Colin Powell, 2008: “Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The answer’s no, that’s not America…. I feel strongly about this particular point because of a picture I saw in a magazine. It was a photo essay about troops who were serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. And one picture at the tail end of this photo essay was of a mother in Arlington Cemetery. And she had her head on the headstone of her son’s grave. And as the picture focused in, you could see the writing on the headstone. And it gave his awards – Purple Heart, Bronze Star; showed that he died in Iraq; gave his date of birth, date of death. He was twenty years old. And then at the very top of the headstone, it didn’t have a Christian cross. It didn’t have a Star of David. It had a crescent and a star of the Islamic faith. And his name was Karim Rashad Sultan Kahn. And he was an American. He was born in New Jersey, he was fourteen years old at the time of 9/11 and he waited until he could go serve his country and he gave his life.”
I liked that the film is so visually packed – gives it a relentless driving feeling that underscores the fearful and chaotic times pushing everyone … and the interviews with family members are priceless. Thank you to all who worked on this project.
Your video Jailed For Their Words and Clem Work’s book Darkness Before Dawn give an important message about over-reacting during times of war and terror. Thank You for producing this important piece of Montana history. These were not the proudest moments in our state’s history but lessons have been learned and actions taken to correct the injustices.
We watched the film with great interest ; as descendants of one of the people in the film touched by this tragic time in the History of our Country ! You have done a terrific job with the Documentary , we’re only saddened by the fact that it hasn’t been on our local PBS network ! I have been into their Website with that particular request and hope that they contact you about it ! I agree with a previous commentor , that it should be shown Nation Wide !
Thank you again for this wonderfully done Documentary !
“Jailed for their Words, When Free Speech Died in Wartime America,” is a wise and compelling documentary that could not be more prescient. We live in times of trembling and fear of all things Islamic. In this, our era is similar to the onset of World War I, when people of German background were suspected of treason, and dissent to war fever was seen as disloyalty. Producer/Director Gita Saedi Kiely shows us the tragic consequences of hysteria and intolerance. The men and women who are the subjects of this film were jailed for their words in 20th century Montana, a state proud of its its individualistic cowboy ethic–its sense of freedom and justice. What Ms. Kiely has given us is not a pretty picture; but it is surely a picture to remember.
Lots of luck in getting it shown, and HAPPY NEW YEAR,
Annick
An excellent documentary, dealing with a topic that couldn’t have more contemporary relevance, and especially good at humanizing the issue of free speech.
Kenneth Turan,
Film critic, Los Angeles Times