Reviews

This film won the Grand Jury Prize for documentaries at the Dallas International Film Festival. It focus on the individual stories of crew members operating up and down the lower Mississippi River as they load on, lash together, and then drop off, loads of grain, coal and other commodities. Each person has a story to tell as to why the have chosen this life, which takes them away from home for 28 days at a stretch through anniversaries, kids activities, and other events. Yet, someone with only a high school education, and even a criminal record, can work their way up to a six figure salary.

Great cinematography focusing on an life unknown to most people. The slow pace of the film reflects the slow movement of the barge, but yet it is never dull.

A good film and very interesting to contrast with Bethlehem. Both films show well how an informer, once trapped in the web of deceit, becomes a slave to his handler and cannot find a way out of the dilemma.

Question: Did anyone every use the word "Israel" or "Israeli"

Was a Star of David ever shown, anywhere? My memory is not the greatest, but I do not remember the parties ever identifying (although it is obvious) the enemy by name. Did I miss something?

The reason for the question is whether a Palestinian filmmaker was reluctant to even invoke the name of Israel or show an Israeli flag in the film.

I saw this at the Dallas International Film Festival. The film has very professional feel for a film with a limited budget. The acting was so-so at times and the dialog occasionally stilted, but the overall writing quite good and the plot well thought out. But serious praise needs to go to the camera work and lighting design, especially on a budget.The story follows the interaction of a widower still suffering from the sudden death of his beloved wife and a high school student who lives across the street, whose mother has died. He is being raised by his gay uncle who is doing the best he can under the circumstances. How their lives affect each other is the essence of the story.