Meet The Filmmakers — Rachel Libert and Tony Hardomon
What is it about film that you are the most passionate about? In other words, why film and why documentary?
Rachel Libert: I really enjoy the process of immersing myself into someone else’s life. I dive into a subject that I know nothing about and it consumes me for the duration of the project and beyond. Making documentary films satisfies my curiosity about other people’s lives and enables me to advocate for issues that are important to me.
Which artists have inspired you the most in your life/career?
Tony Hardmon: I’ve been inspired by the life and work of photographer, filmmaker and author, Gordon Parks, the work of photographer Roy DeCarava, and photojournalist James Nachtwey. All three of these men capture reality with a level of honesty and clarity that I aspire towards. There are three things I’m trying accomplish when I’m working: infuse artistry into a naturally evolving scene, make each shot convey as much story as possible and maintain the dignity of those I’m documenting.
When did you decide to make Semper Fi: Always Faithful?
Rachel & Tony: In the spring of 2007, the sister of our main film subject Jerry Ensminger, approached us about making a film about the Camp Lejeune situation. To be honest, we were initially a little skeptical but agreed to film an event that they were having. In doing so, we met Jerry and several other key players. After spending a few hours with them and viewing the evidence they had compiled, we left convinced that we needed to make this film. Jerry’s complexity and charisma was immediately apparent. We loved talking with him which is a good thing because we now speak to him on the phone almost every day.
Who do you hope your film will reach when it’s complete? What kind of impact do you hope to have?
Rachel & Tony: Semper Fi: Always Faithful addresses the issue of military pollution and it’s health effects. This issue does not just affect soldiers. It affects all Americans. 1 in 10 Americans live within 10 miles of a military site that is on the EPA’s priority clean-up list and military contamination has polluted municipal water supplies in towns across the country. We hope that Semper Fi: Always Faithful will raise awareness amongst legislators and the general public about the health threat posed by contaminated military sites. We also want to inform former Camp Lejeune residents of their exposure to toxins and to educate and empower residents of other contaminated military bases.
As we reach the end of the decade and look back on the changes that have occurred in the world of documentary film, can you identify a film or an event that changed the way you thought about documentary?
Rachel: I think that the proliferation of social networking has had a huge impact on documentary filmmaking. Outreach campaigns have always been a goal but a challenge for documentary filmmakers. Social networking has provided an easier path to promote one’s work and engage niche audiences that may not watch traditional outlets of distribution for documentaries. Websites, blogs and social networking sites are also very useful in the production of films. I often research stories and contact potential film subjects through these avenues.