Conversation with Stacey Wolfe

[Guest guest]

Stacey Wolfe is an exec for Polaris, the PR company for the film the United

States of Leland.

Stacey called me to explain how EX-IM bank is involved in the film. She said

they are " like insurance " and only pay up if someone defaults.

I explained that I already knew that. What I said in my original letter was,

the EX-IM Bank was guaranteeing 90% of the loans on this film.

She said that there aren't many defaults on loans. I explained that I was

not an expert on the movie production industry, but I felt if insurance was

needed to protect banks, then default must not be terribly uncommon.

What I wanted to know is exactly why they made a film about a wonderful

young person who murders an autistic child.

Stacey: " Well, he's not really a wonderful young person. "

Me: What about the synopsis on the website?

Stacey: " The film doesn't have a website. "

Me: What about the webpage for The United States of Leland " on the Thousand

Words website?

Stacey: " Thousand Words is involved in production of the film. "

Me: The webpage states that he's a 'sensitive and extraordinary individual.'

Stacey: " They say extraordinary but that could be the wrong word. It does

not condone or glorify this ... "

Me: Why don't you tell me what the movie is really about then?

Stacey: " The movie is about a boy who murders an autistic chi ... no .. not

autistic. The disabilty is not really discussed in the movie. We aren't sure

what the circumstances are ... so the film is trying to discover why and it

tears apart the people around him ... It's bad enough to murder anyone, but

a child like that ... uh, it's about how heinous it is. "

Me: I thought Leland had a positive effect on the people around him?

Stacey: " No, no. It's about the goodness that comes out of the victims'

family. "

Me: " The positive effect of the murder of the child is on the victim's

family? Why does it say just the opposite on the webpage? "

Stacey: " It examines the goodness in people that comes out in the worst of

times. Haven't you ever had anything happen in your life where you were just

completely devastated and you discovered something about yourself? "

I couldn't believe this. I really couldn't believe what I was hearing.

Me: " You're talking to the mother of an autistic child. You're talking to

the mother of a child with kidney disease. You're talking to the mother of

child who required a complete spinal fusion for scoliosis. Three years ago I

had three healthy children. I think I qualify as someone who has 'had

something happen in my life.' The only positive thing is that I'm stronger

and by the way, I think you're blowing smoke up my ass.

Silence

Me: Okay, Stacey. How does the murder of their child have a positive effect

on the family?

Stacey: " It's about the goodness that comes out of the victims' family. It's

not -- I'm not saying the family ... it's about what comes out of total

despair. I hope you understand more about the financing. I can't tell you

anymore about the movie. It's not my place. "

Me: I never misunderstood about the financing. Is there someone I can speak

to who can explain about the movie because the synopsis for the film is

wrong, as you say. Is there someone who could explain it better?

Stacey: " Only the producer can do that. "

Me: Thank you for calling, Stacey.

The only way she is even remotely telling the truth is if Leland kills his

own brother.

I feel sick.

Sissi