I found it interesting to compare the documentary with the Animal Planet
series. Through the footage he utilized and the people interviewed, Herzog portrayed Timothy as mentally unstable. Timothy wasn’t “all there." The things Timothy said and believed about the world were not aligned with what we deem normal, and
could even be considered crazy. After reading Documentary Film I
realized however, that the opinions I’d formed may not have been entirely my own. Because of how Herzog chose to present Timothy, the film itself shaped the way I perceived the story.
After watching several episodes of Grizzly Man Diaries, I discovered a
contrasting perspective on Timothy Treadwell. The episodes show Timothy’s footage that may not have been included in Grizzly Man. Throughout the miniseries Timothy’s
diary is read and it is clear he never felt
truly home in the human world. Some may call it deranged and delusional, still I
can’t help but feel some sympathy for his plight. There was something beautiful
in Treadwell’s interactions with the animals. Yes he believed he was one
of the bears, part of the fox family, and other rather outlandish things, but
it is evident that in a certain way he did form relationships with these animals. How else could he have survived
and thrived living in close quarters with a protective mother bear? How could
she have let him touch her cubs? How could he have petted and played with the
foxes?
Timothy’s life with the animals may
have seemed incredulous, but I can relate to his desire
to be a part of nature. When I was a junior in high school I went on a camping
trip with some friends over spring break. We found a beautiful spot in the
mountains and were able to explore streams, hike, and even view some
magnificent waterfalls. I remember wishing there was a
more profound way for me to experience nature apart from seeing and smelling. In that moment I
had never felt more separate from nature, and I was filled with a strange longing. It was a sad realization which allows me to at least feel empathy for Timothy Treadwell.
It's pathetic how uninformed the general population is about the serious issues of quality and equality in public schools. Having been through it, I’d like to consider myself somewhat familiar with
the dysfunction of the system. However, after seeing this film, I realized I
was much less aware of the problem than I thought. This documentary gave a
great window into both personal experiences, and factual information critical
to understanding the dilemma. Seeing each individual family’s precarious
journey through their attempts at bettering their children’s lives made this
issue feel personal. By the end, I was rooting for each child and my heart broke when the outcomes were revealed.
Looking back on my previous educational
path, my gratitude is boundless for my luck and for the opportunities I
was given. I participated in the lottery
system and remember being so glad to have been accepted to my high school,
but not fully realizing the magnitude of the situation. I fortunately attended a
Montessori elementary school and a public charter middle school. My first taste
of true public school was Northwest School of the Arts; a diamond in a coalmine.
Had I not been chosen in the lottery, my high school career would have been
immeasurably different and I may not have made it here to UNCA today. Waiting
for “Superman” reminded me of this truth and effectively brought my attention
to the harsh reality of the state of American public education.
