Glencoe Documentary Pt. 2?
Filmmaker's daughter returns to Glencoe
On June 23rd, the Glencoe Historical Preservation Society hosted a screening of the 1985 documentary God’s Country by French filmmaker Loius Malle. In addition to hosting a lovely audience of Glencoeites, the GHPS was also hosting Justine Malle, Louis Malle's daughter, who will be in town for about two weeks doing filming and research for a follow-up to her father's documentary.
After the movie, Malle took questions from the audience, but she was more interested in asking the audience some questions of her own. Those in the room who were around during the original filming, or who knew people who were, told many heartwarming stories about what became of the Glencoe citizens featured in God's Country, as well as stories of how the film affected members of the community. One woman who used to work at the post office told of a letter that was received from Germany (where the film was relatively popular) addressed to “that young farming family in Glencoe,” which sparked a years-long friendship that spanned the Atlantic Ocean.
As a recent transplant to this city myself, I was deeply moved by this window into Glencoe's past and by the testimonies of those who have called her home much longer than me. If you missed the screening, you can watch it here for free. I highly recommend that you do so, and that you invite some neighbors to enjoy it with you. It could be a very special way to gear up for Glencoe Days, and indeed for the 250th anniversary of Independence Day.
And if you see a team of French people around town filming during Glencoe Days this year, be sure to smile for the camera. Who knows; you might just get a letter from Germany in a few years because of it.