I saw 51 Birch Street by Doug Block at IDFA 2005. I have to admit that I went to the screening more because I wanted to show support for Doug and his producing partner Lori Cheatle than because I was drawn by the description. There are many personal films that I love but there are many others that I could have done without so I’m always skeptical. But on a rainy weekday morning, the theater was packed solid for the screening so I started to get a bit excited.

The film that followed was a beautiful experience. It is a tightly woven tapestry of a film, using elements like home movie footage, diaries, interviews and narration by the filmmaker. But the real skill in the crafting of the film is not only that the story is compelling but that while watching, I started thinking about my own life and family. For me the mark of a great film is one that not only feeds our need to consume stories of others but also cause the viewer to look inward. To top off the screening, Doug, his dad and his dad’s wife were at the Q&A making for a moving session after the viewing, which is atypical of Q&A’s in my experience.

I met up with Doug at HotDocs a couple of weeks ago where we had a lovely lunch talking about many things, but technology in particular. He noted that he was relaunching his film’s website so that all of the people who are so moved to share their own stories after seeing the film could go to the site and post. He off-handedly invited me to submit. I really loved the film and want to help promote it, and I started blogging in part to improve my writing, so I took up the challenge. Doug took chances in the making of his film and tells some very deep personal family history, and I decided to take a leap as well, so be forewarned that the post is deeply personal. You can read mine and other stories here.

If you can catch 51 Birch Street on the festival circuit, great! Otherwise, there will be a theatrical run in the fall. You can sign up for updates on the film site.