Watching this captivating documentary simply reminds me how blessed the US were to have had this remarkable man as its 39th President. Made by Oscar-winning filmmaker Jonathan Demme, it follows the former President around the country in 2006 as he is promoting his latest book that he purposely gave the provocative title of’ ‘Palestine: Peace not Apartheid’. The book causes enormous controversy, which escalates as the tour zigzags across the country, and Mr. Carter is grilled by all the major television journalists and political commentators.
Even when it is obvious that so many of his vocal detractors have read little of the actual book, Mr. Carter patiently articulates and explains, resolutely not wavering from his views which are based on an encyclopedic knowledge on the subject and his wealth of first-hand experience. With my somewhat limited comprehension of the Palestinian situation it refers too, I’ll avoid even attempting to weigh in with an opinion, but anyway its actually the former President’s sincere convictions on this matter and on which he feels so passionate about, that moves me so very much.
Between events he talks freely about his happy marriage, his religious convictions, learning Spanish and even his old childhood African-American nanny and a host of other topics. He is honest, forthright, completely unpretentious and a thoroughly decent man. Although this movie just covers a few months in his life, it still reminds us how this 83 year former President and Nobel Peace Prize Winner has accomplished so much in the world since leaving office. He is an inspiration to all his successors whose own records in and out of office pale into significance compared to his. And he is a reminder that sometimes the US people get it right and elect a President who they truly deserve.
I’m so pleased I finally managed to see this movie, and am just sorry it took me so long to do so.
★★★★★★★★★
Click for Trailer
Click for Trailer
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