October 9, 2002

Dear Mike,

First of all, I was impressed with your willingness to interact with the audience, both before and after the film and with your obvious interest in getting their feed back on Thailand. Your willingness to put your self forward elevated the evening from just a travel film to an exchange of ideas. That was good.

Your opening shots of the butterflies and flowers were excellent and a good harbinger of what was to come. I also liked the footage from WW2 that helped give an appropriate historical context for the film. I think it was especially valuable for our older audience, whom you referred to as “the Great Generation.”

While I enjoyed the entire film, I felt your sections where you interviewed people and their comments were a good change of pace. The comments by those who went to Thailand to learn more about Buddhism were informative for our audience, and they made your film more than just a travelogue. As I mentioned last night, I felt that perhaps there was more on kick boxing than I cared to see, but others may not agree. But your segments on the superstitions regarding the hotel construction and the disappearance of the architect made me want to know more. From audience members that I talked with, I felt their reactions were very positive. In fact, I just had a call from a friend who said that she felt last night’s program was one of the best she had seen.

I did have one comment from a lady at the intermission that I found interesting. She wondered why the film lecturers never show us where the ordinary people live. A good point, I think. But you did do some of that with your part in northern Thailand along the border. That segment gave a good contrast to the rest of the country.

In short, it was an outstanding and informative film, probably the highlight of our fall series. I enjoyed meeting and visiting with you, and I hope that we will have a chance to bring you back to Bakersfield.

Laddie Kumelos
Coordinator
Bakersfield Open Forum