SEE THE TRAILER HERE
In association with indie film director Drew Hall and his company Frame 29 Films, OneFilmFan.com was given the opportunity to screen an upcoming 2015 documentary film release, “Who Are You People?”, which we can now provide the review for! This reviewer can most definitely say it was a viewing worth the time spent!
Brought to us by first time director and veteran Hollywood cameraman/cinematographer Jonathan E. Robinson, this documentary journey takes us to Mobile, Alabama circa Spring-Summer 1976. As the city of Mobile is going through some tougher financial times, the availability of two large and abandoned airplane hangers located at the then-closed Brookley Air Force Base attracts the attention of Columbia Pictures executives who offer a rather unique opportunity: to be a filming location for a new science fiction film called “Close Encounters of the Third Kind“. Suddenly, Mobile has the Hollywood spotlight shining brightly on it as writer/director Steven Spielberg, producers Julia & Michael Phillips, cast members Richard Dreyfuss, Teri Garr, Melinda Dillon, and Francois Truffaut, and crew all descend upon the town, much to the amazement of the local populace. From here, the story is told through the present-day recollections of these regular citizens, politicians, and tradesmen who ultimately got to become a direct part of film history via being extras or additional crew members for the shoot.
A totally engaging and unique approach in learning about the world of filmmaking, “Who Are You People?” has the perfect mix of Mobile residents being given the chance to expound on an experience few of us will ever actually know. Sharing anecdotes that contain everything from star-struck and insightful moments with cast members, to the day to day rigors of the shoot during an Alabama heat wave, to being an extra, to footage that didn’t make it into the film, to making attempts to grab souvenirs after the filming ended, and beyond, everyone interviewed truly puts the human face to what really happens during a film shoot, especially one of this magnitude. And to get that perspective as told from the very first phone call from Columbia Pictures to the last day of the production being in Mobile, it drew this reviewer in so much, I was literally smiling almost the entire 90-minute runtime. This represented an incredible time in American filmmaking, yes, but moreso, it represented an unexpected opportunity given to a struggling city to become something bigger and that would impact all involved in very personal ways through memories, friendships made, and even further filmmaking done in Alabama going forward. Robinson’s deft touch and camera experience most certainly shows through here as does Drew Hall’s production skills. Each interviewee is presented in a way that makes the viewer feel like they’re right there with them during every moment. Add to this old photos taken at the shoot (some authorized and apparently some not at that time!) and the journey is complete. Totally entertaining is the final thought for this effort and a wonderful tribute to the people of Mobile, Alabama.
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As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
