Grand Saline, Texas was a sleepy, unremarkable town--until a white preacher lit himself on fire to protest the town's racism in 2014.

Interview with Writer/Director Joel Fendelman

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

I was at the University of Texas Austin working on my MFA for film production. I was looking for a thesis film idea and a friend told me about her friend's dissertation about this elder white preacher who self-immolated in the name of racism in his small East Texas town. I connected with this friend, Chase Sanchez who ended up being my producer and then read an article in the Texas Monthly about it. I was very inspired by a man willing to give it all up in such a horrific manner for the sake of others. I was touched and wanted to learn more.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

Everyone is touched in some form by racism and the history of this country whether you know it or not. Many of us don't know it and I think watching this film will shed a glimmer of light on it through the perspective of one small East Texas town. Or maybe you connect with Charles Moore and are fed up with the state of the country and feel like there is nothing you can do. It's a very contemporary story about the racist history of small town America that most people never see.

Ron Blanton playing Charles Moore by Caleb Kuntz.

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

It's universal because it is about the history of this country and grappling with it and personal because one man decided it was his duty to make the ultimate sacrifice in order to do something about it.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development?

Well it being a documentary, the film was in constant development through the process but the main storyline remained the same. I'd say if anything evolved it was our own understanding of the event.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

So far we have had only limited screenings but the feedback has been very positive. People generally say that they appreciate the neutrality of the filmmaking, that we remain pretty fair to all sides.

3 elder African American folks by Joel Fendelman.

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

Definitely one of my goals was to stay objective and fair to all the subjects but I do have very left leaning political views so I was surprised that it was accomplished.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

Exposure. We want to take the film on the road and use it as a vehicle to start dialogue about racism in America and what it means to sacrifice for a cause. Maybe someone from an institution or church will see this article and get in touch with us.

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

We could use international buyers, educational distributors and festival directors.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

We have been starting a social media campaign called #mytowntoo. We would like people to begin using the hashtag to share their experiences of hometown racism, from all sides. I think starting this dialogue will be a step forward in our countries' healing.

What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?

How do you feel about Charles Moore's choice to self-immolate?

Would you like to add anything else?

Check us out on Manonfirefilm.com

What other projects are the key creatives developing or working on now?

I have a feature coming of age narrative set in Miami and a feature doc about fundamentalism and politics.

Interview: January 2018

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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series, music video, women's films, LGBTIAQ+, scifi, horror, world cinema. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

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Man on Fire

Grand Saline, Texas was a sleepy, unremarkable town--until a white preacher lit himself on fire to protest the town's racism in 2014.

Length: 54min

Director: Joel Fendelman

Producer: Joel Fendelman, James Chase Sanchez, Sullivan Rauzi

Writer: Joel Fendelman

About the writer, director and producer:

Joel Fendelman- nyc based director. socially conscious stories dealing w/ minorities, religion, social class, identity.

Chase Sanchez - Assistant Professor of Writing and Rhetoric at @Middlebury. Researches cultural rhetorics, public memory, and protest.

Key cast:

Cinematography - Joel Fendelman, Caleb Kuntz

Editing - Joel Fendelman

Music - Gil Talmi

Looking for: buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists

Social media handles: @manonfirefilm

Facebook: manonfirefilm

Twitter: @manonfirefilm

Instagram: @manonfirefilm

Where can I watch it next and in the coming month?

Slamdance 1/20 &1/24 Park City Utah