[CitizensTruth] In honor of the WTC towers...

[Connie Smith]

...and in honor of the Human Spirit, there now emerges a documentary that is getting the highest praise in movie history, is described as "riveting," "breathtaking," and "exhilarating," and it totallly lives up to all the hype. 

It's called "Man on Wire."  We got it from Netflix -- I don't know about its other availability, but it's been winning top awards everywhere.

Back in the 70's when I heard about Philippe Petit's high-wire walk between the WTC towers in New York, I snorted at what an idiot he was.  No longer.  His joyous attitude towards life is perhaps the most happily infectious attitude on the planet, and it is a privilege to "spend some time" with him in the movie now made from his recent book: "To Reach the Clouds."

But no need to wait -- just google his name and you will be swamped with stories and videos about this extraordinary person.  Below are links to only 2 sources:  the 2-minute trailer to the movie, and the Wikipedia bigger picture of him.

Growing up in Paris, he was so creative and passionate about the many subjects HE wanted to learn that he was kicked out of 5 schools!  As the towers rose when he was a teenager, he spent six years in planning his (you have to say it) -- LOVING -- performance for an hour on the highest of high-wires, on August 7, 1974.  DAYS before Nixon resigned.

And I must say how almost healing it is to see somebody sneaking in and out of the towers for MONTHS in order to achieve the "impossible" set-up on the roofs in the sky -- instead of sneaking in to do the unspeakable harm that later shocked the whole world.

Petit never allowed any exploitation of his feat, shunned the avalanche of commercial endorsement offers that followed, and has often lived quietly as carpenter in upstate New York -- using tools and methods from the 1700's.  Like his wire-walks, he deeply and passionately applies himself to accomplish masterful feats -- and always for the joy of it, not for the glory.

I'm not sure what is motivating his big public emergence now, but I can say that his attitude of perfect balance between freedom and discipline may be the most instructive and inspiring example of what a human being can do -- ever!

The documentary with its many re-creations of how it all was carried out is filled with suspense, too.  Even though no terrorism had yet hit the towers, security measures against unauthorized presences in restricted areas were many times a considerable hurdle to overcome. 

The night before his awesome "dance on the wire" was so harrowing for him and his friends, I don't see how they had any nerves left then to do the hardest part of all:  set up and secure all the equipment -- with Philippe then stepping out into the abyss between the buildings, one-quarter mile above the streets of Manhattan.

"Not a dry eye in the house" characterizes a number of moments in this movie!  And again, what a tribute to -- what an affectionate visit with -- the World Trade Center skyscrapers and their occupants that vanished so tragically in 2001.

On the Special Features on our Netflix disc, we found even more depth and delight.  For one thing, John Hankey's melliflous voice narrates a brief but beautifully animated children's version of the accomplishment.  

(As an aside here, due to personal correspondence, I can add that John's dire view of Barack Obama has altered since he published a pre-election tirade against him.  I find this appropriate, because the "yes we can" slogans of Obama have had the effect of being not just rhetoric.  And despite all the fallout we're suffering over Bush and Gang, a quantum change in spirit is overtaking this land.  The authenticity of the spirit that people are experiencing fits so hand-in-glove with Philippe Petit's optimism-soaked life, that it's PERFECT for his "Man on Wire" movie and an historic presidential inauguration to take place at the same time.)

Yes!  For pure INSPIRATION -- and somewhat of a restoration of the World Trade Center -- watch this movie, read and watch the Internet interviews with Philippe, and get back in touch with the healthy child within that we can all bring forth if we want to!

Connie

2-minute trailer:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIawNRm9NWM


brief bio:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_on_Wire
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