Welcome to The Jesus Guy.com Blog!
This is the official blog for the documentary film The Jesus Guy, which documents the wandering evangelist known by “What’s Your Name?”. We encourage readers to leave comments and thoughts by scrolling down the page and using the “Leave A Reply” field. Thank you for stopping by!
May 22, 2007 | Filed Under Uncategorized | 56 Comments
Hi there, I’m Jesse. I was going home from Manahoy City PA today when I saw someone dressed like Jesus walking bare-foot up a hill. I thought it was a nut who might be lost so I turned around to see if he needed a lift. He said sure and when I asked him where he was heading he asked me where I was going when I told him Allentown he said sure. Well, we had some conversation … I asked him every question I could think of. Every question I always wished I had answers to. I really expected a load of crap, but in the end he answered all my questions. I even asked him things like how about if this world is like the world created in the “matrix” movie and we are just results of a program creator, where the programer would be like god and this is all fake. He went on to tell me that “[ … even if that was true where there were super highly intellegent/advanced people who created this world, there still would ultimatley be one omnipotent God who created them …]” Anyway I ultimately invited him over for dinner where he had told me he had not eaten today and that he was hungry. I then took him to the church in Allentown on 11th st and Tilghman. We went inside the very small but kind of holy like chapel in the back alley where I asked him for a few tips on praying. I gave him my # and told him if ever he need something not to hesitate and give me a ring. He left his sandle in my car, so strange almost like a religous Cinderela story. He called me up and left a message. I hope I see him tomorrow to give him back his sandle and take him to the church he wants to return to in Mahanoy City where Mother Theresa use to pray and it is 24 hours a day open.
Harvard University Divinity School Screening
www.hds.harvard.edu/
What can you say when a 66-minute movie is followed by a 2-hour Question & Answer session?
Fantastic! That’s what happened recently when The Jesus Guy screened at Harvard Divinity School to an enthusiastic audience of religious scholars, students, and clergy. We had to shut down the questions, because they just wouldn’t stop. The audience’s questions were thoughtful, incisive, deeply probing—what I had hoped for from Harvard. For me, being invited to screen at the Divinity School (see HDS link above) legitimizes the film. We’ve had great success and reviews from film festival audiences, but I wouldn’t expect them to be as critical as the Harvard group. This cross-denominational group, it seemed from the Q&A, was surprised at the depth of the film and its subject, and was very curious to learn more about What’s Your Name’s beliefs and background.
We had a similar experience with an early screening with the Bishop and clergy from the Episcopal Diocese of New Hampshire. At this event, the questions went well into the night and some clergy commented that they “lost sleep” over issues that this film and WYN’s life illuminated, including what commitments and sacrifices they had/had not made for their own mission and the relatively comfortable lifestyle they had as priests. Thanks, Harvard!
I saw the movie last night at the Harvard Divinity
School and did not know what to expect of the man depicted or the tone of his depiction. If anything I thought it would be a debunking.
The man depicted was interesting and intelligent and, although obviously idiosyncratic, appeared sincere. The movie itself was both sympathetic and objective at the same time.
Tonight is the big screening at Harvard! Don’t miss it!
Free Screening at Harvard Divinity School
7:00pm
Sperry Room, Andover Hall
45 Francis Avenue
Cambridge, MA
Meet the director!
It’s been a couple weeks since I returned from the Oxford FF. We had another great screening. This time in a brand new multiplex with Dolby Sound, a huge screen, and stadium seating. We had a great audience, too. It’s fascinating to see people in different theaters, different cities, states, etc., all have the same reactions at the same moments in the film. Better yet, they’re the reactions I had hoped for. Laughs when I expected them, and suspicion-detecting “hummmms???” when they should occur.
I saw a couple of other great documentaries, including “The Devil Rides on Horseback” and “Nobody”. I met the directors of Nobody and hope to share info about distribution and theatrical release. Unfortunately, What’s Your Name could not make it to the festival.
Oxford is an enigma on it’s own. So beautiful, quite upscale, classic Southern looking town square. The disconnect is every Thursday-Saturday night when shuttle busses full of University of Mississippi kids funnel into the town to drink themselves silly.
By midnight, the streets are strewn with staggering frat boys and coed girls sitting (or laying prone) on the sidewalks because they’re so drunk they can’t walk in their high heels. Yes…they get decked out in expensive little cocktail dresses to drink beer! (There’s a documentary film waiting to be made here.)
The film is on to screenings at Harvard Divinity School in Cambridge, the Connecticut Film Festival, and St. Anselm’s College (”Best of the Best of the NH Film Festival” night), all in March. More later. Thanks for checking in.
I enjoyed seeing The Jesus Man at our Oxford Film Festival. I was impressed by the fact that Sean presented this man as a multifaceted man so that we could each make our own determinations as to our opinion of him. I hope to see more productions from Sean in the future.
I just want to say thanks to “what’s your name” for walking barefoot in a white robe. It means a lot to anyone. Just keep doing it.
PS: never met you.
More good news! The film will have it’s European Premiere in Italy this August at the Lucania Film Festival. Check back for complete screening details.
“The Jesus Guy” has been accepted to 3 more festivals! Check back for complete screening details!
INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE
Cartagena International Film and TV Festival
Cartagena, Colombia
http://www.festicinecartagena.org/index.php
Feb 29 - March 7 (Screening date TBA)
WEST COAST PREMIERE
Los Angeles United Film Festival
http://www.launitedfest.com/
Sunday, April 20 at 1:30pm
Fine Arts Theatre
8556 Wilshire Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
Connecticut Film Festival
http://www.ctfilmfest.com/
May 2008
Various theaters and times.
Sean Tracey is in Oxford, MS today to attend the Oxford Film Festival. Stay tuned to hear about his trip and the Mississippi debut of “The Jesus Guy.” If you get to go to the screening, tell us what you thought. James Joseph (aka What’s Your Name) may also be attending!
James (aka What’s Your Name) called in this morning! I updated him on the upcoming screenings at the Oxford Film Festival, Magnolia Independent Film Festival and Ozark Foothills FilmFest. If anyone plans to attend these screenings, please let James know…he may need a ride! Thanks!
Just accepted to another film festival!
Ozark Foothills Film Festival
Saturday, March 29
More details TBA!
Details for the Oxford Film Festival screening!
Oxford Film Festival
Sunday, February 10, 2008
4:00pm
Malco Oxford Studio Cinema
1111 Jackson Ave. W
Oxford, MS 38655
Director, Sean Tracey, will be attending!
http://oxford.bside.com/?_view=_filmdetails&filmId=45015003
Some of you were wondering what he did for Christmas. He had Christmas dinner at our home in Mountain Brook, AL. He has been befriended by our daughter and he joined her, her husband, their son and their friends with us on Christmas. I agree with all the positive statements about him that have been made here.
Another Festival Screening -
Magnolia Film Festival
Saturday, February 16
1:00pm
Hollywood Premier Cinemas
Stark Road
Starkville, MS
http://www.magfilmfest.com/directions.html
Joan, thanks for the venue tip! We have submitted the film to various film festivals and are hoping to be accepted. Be sure to add yourself to our newsletter (sign up on home page) that way you get updates about screening times. If you know anyone at the Philadelphia Film Festival, feel free to let them know of the local interest to see the film! It may help get accepted! Thanks again!
I encountered What’s Your Name? Joseph twice in Schuylkill Co., Pa. Are there any screenings upcoming in our region? There is a new excellent dining/theater experience in W. Hazleton, Pa. It is on-line as TheDrafthouseCinema.com My family traveled there recently. The movies are sometimes first run, the food outstanding, and it was surprisingly uncrowded, but I trust as the place becomes known it will be very successful. The admission cost is only $3.50. Beer, wine, cocktails served at spacious dining platforms that allow for long legs to stretch out while one is seated in very confortable chairs. The platforms are high enough to permit eating while watching the screen. Great experience.
I just met James last week. He is a very nice person and has great knowledge about spiritual growth. He didn’t mention this movie even though I was aware of it already. He just really wanted to know what God had put in my heart and had some good insights.
I just met James today 12/19/07 in Irondale Alabama…I was curious of what he was doing, was he wanting money, was he crazy, I saw him a few months ago, but didn’t talk to him…I wasn’t going to let him get away this time I just had to know…I spoke to him and he was a very nice guy and well spoken. He wouldn’t accept any money and he said that if he could get Jesus on the mind of others if only for a second that was good enough for him…If you truly love Jesus and believe, then what James is doing should put a smile on your face and warm your heart….He’s not crazy at all, he has faith and he isn’t ashamed to show it. If someone has negative thought’s about what he is doing, well it’s to be expected. look at how Jesus was treated and he could work miracles….James doesn’t claim to be Jesus, he just want’s to help keep the word of God alive…
The film has just been accepted to screen at the Oxford Film Festival! Date 2/10/08 in Oxford, MS. Time and Venue info coming soon. Director, Sean Tracey, will be attending the screening and Q&A.
I would venture to guess that even James won’t know what he’s doing for Christmas until the day unfolds itself! Buon Natale!
What’s he doing for Christmas?
Film Threat has reviewed the film. Check it out. Thanks Eric Campos!
http://filmthreat.com/index.php?section=reviews&Id=10450
New Screening - To be announced soon!
The Jesus Guy will be screening at the Harvard Divinity School in Feb/Mar 2008. Stay tuned for details!
Wow! After seeing this trailer, I can’t wait to actually watch this documentary! I’ve heard so many great things from friends in Alabama who had went to the showing. It looks great, can’t wait to check it out!
Having just finished our first two film festivals, I’m most impressed by the response from the audiences. They laugh when they should, and stick around after the film ends and have amazingly thoughtful questions. There’s never a dull moment and many hands are in the air simultaneously at our Q&As. We even had a visit from Mark Guydish, a reporter for the Times-Leader in Wilkes-Barre, PA, who drove from Pennsylvania to Portsmouth to see the finished film. Mark appears as one of the “nay-sayers” in the film, and wrote a wonderful follow up article that can be read on our links site at: http://www.thejesusguy.com/articles_docs/Footsteps_of_Jesus_TimesLeader20Oct07.pdf. Thanks to Mark and all the people who came out to support and celebrate the film’s debut. Now, on to the next festivals. Anyone know anybody influential at Sundance and Tribecca?
The film very effectively holds a mirror up to the man who calls himself “What’s your name?”, giving us a non-judgmental and uneasy vision of someone who is both cipher and mirror himself. Viewers are privileged to watch from an intimately close, “fly-on-the-wall” perspective how this wandering, proselytizing enigma both draws to him and reflects back the deepest assumptions and archetypal longings of the people he meets in his travels. I was mesmerized by the seeming lack of any self-conscious or self-aware filtering in many of the people who interact with “What’s your name, ” and forced to admit some of my preconceived expectations about the limited impact such a figure might have were off base. Provocative.
The Jesus guy is part kook, part revolutionary and part publicity hound. What is is doing, with no money, no shoes and no address, is ultimately admirable, different, and thought provoking. I wonder about his psychology, and his childhood to which his father refers in the documentary. He seems to know the Bible, has faith, and is spiritual, but I’m not in a position to adequately judge. The film makes us all look at our own lives differently, and to ask questions.
The Jesus Guy is a facinating portrayal of a man who escapes category. Tracey captivates an audience who knows not what to make of this provocative figure. I viewed a screening at the NH Film Festival a week ago and was enamored by this character who roams the streets humbly speaking “the word of God” in a way that questions motives and prompts one to reconsider what contemporary American society is willing to buy into and breed.
I was greatly intrigued with this film and look forward to witnessing the cultural impact it will have - in whatever way it does. Peace.
Once again thank you so much for taking part in the SideTalk panel at the Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival. I was so surprised to find out after the panel that my parents know who Whatsyourname is, and that they talk to him weekly at Church when he is in Cullman. I found this to be very exciting and interesting, and wanted to pass it along. I wish you much success in the future.
Thank you and Take care,
Nichalaus
October 15, 2007
I saw the movie last Thursday night in Portsmouth. What a fascinating piece! Sean has done a great job of objectively and comprehensively protraying this enigmatic character. After watching the movie, I had more questions than when I went in and it prompted fascinating conversation on the car ride home with my friends who saw the movie with me. Whether you are a believer or a skeptic, whether devout or an athesist, this movie is worth seeing.
Congrats, Sean! The screening last night in Portsmouth was a big success - there were MANY people in attendance and the Q&A afterwards indicated much thought and interest by all the viewers. You’ve created something that really gets people to stop and think and wonder. Way to go!
I had dinner with him tonight, and I have to say, he is an extraordinary individual! So humble and nice to talk to. The film was an unbiased portrayal of this ordinary man who is on an extraordinary mission and I commend the filmakers for allowing the audience to form their own opinions. Thanks so much for visiting the Birmingham area, and I know you will be back soon!
We [Birmingham, Alabama] viewed the film today. Very interesting how people filled in the “blanks” that he/Carl/James/TJG/WYN would hand them. He often served as a sort of “Mirror” for people to show themselves.
We got a chance to talk to him. He had his first and only [as he remained outside the theater during today] viewing of the film only yesterday. He told us that the film was very hard to watch … due to the responses of some of the people that had meet in his journey.
Interesting guy with a nice countenance. We wish him well.
me/Paul/Eddie/son/husband/brother/Tenzin Dawa/mrphysics/not knowing
Another screening has been added for the New Hampshire Film Festival!
Friday, October 12
2:00PM
Muddy River Smokehouse
21 Congress Street
Portsmouth, NH
Sean will be attending the screening and doing Q&A afterwards.
Purchase tickets at The Music Hall, 603.436.2400.
In case you weren’t able to tune in on Friday to NHPR, you can click on the link to listen to it! Below is also a photo of Sean with Liz Bulkley, host of NHPR’s Front Porch.
http://thejesusguy.com/press-kit/NPR_FrontPorch_TJG.mp3
Sean will be interviewed by NH Public Radio this Friday about The Jesus Guy film! Tune in!
NHPR Front Porch
Friday, Sept 21
6:30pm
http://www.nhpr.org/taxonomy/term/15000
88.3, Nashua, WEVS
89.1, Concord, WEVO
90.3, Nashua, WEVO
90.7, Keene, WEVN
91.3, Littleton, WEVO
91.3, Hanover, WEVH
97.3, Plymouth
99.5, Jackson, WEVJ
103.9, Portsmouth
104.3, Dover, WEVO
107.1, Gorham, WEVC
More great news!
The Jesus Guy will be screening at the 7th Annual New Hampshire Film Festival.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
5:45pm
The Music Hall
28 Chestnut Street
Portsmouth, NH
Director Sean Tracey will be attending the screening!
For more info about the festival click here, http://nhfilmfestival.com/index.html
or to purchase tickets, click here http://themusichall.org/calendar/event_detail.asp?eventID=430
Great news…
The screening info for the Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival has been released.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
1:45pm at the Carver Theatre
Birmingham, Alabama
Both Sean Tracey (director) and What’s Your Name (James Joseph) will be attending the screening.
To purchase tickets go to
http://sidewalk.bside.com/?_view=_filmdetails&filmId=32967310
Also, The Jesus Guy has been selected to screen at the New Hampshire Film Festival in October, details coming.
Dear Stanley,
Thanks for your blog and interest in the film and the discussion. This is what we hoped for with the blog—some true discourse. I’ll let alone your comments made to the film’s subject, Carl (What’s Your Name?), noting that I do not agree with you. I’m curious, are you related to Carl?
Concerning your comments to me: I would never seek recognition through this film at the expense of anyone, certainly not What’s Your Name. I made this film with his complete cooperation. I, too, feel that I have been “called” to make this film. I did it without promise of compensation, bearing all expenses out of my own pocket. At every turn, I tried to make a “fair” film about this unique man—neither embellishing nor diminishing his character and accomplishments. I’m proud to have completed it, as it would have been much easier to abandon the project at many junctures.
I did not invent the title, The Jesus Guy, but instead used the name that most people use to refer to this man, and remember his as, when they talk about him to one another. I really see it more as “the guy who talks about Jesus all the time” than the way you are taking it (perhaps, “the guy who is imitating or portraying Jesus”). What’s Your Name is clear in the film that this is not his intent.
I hope you get to see the entire film at one of our upcoming screenings so you can better judge the net result of the picture in its entirety. Thanks again for your interest and comments.
Sean Tracey
Director
Hi Sean, (Hi Carl)
What you are doing is not something great but the most foolish thing possible my friend. This movie should mark the end of “thejesusguy”.
Let me have a word with carl first…Carl,
You have taken such a big leap of faith in doing all that you did, why did u then go the way of doctors??? where was your faith?? Analyse when some ailment stops you in path….why?…what caused it?…what will be the outcome of that?..that means ur immediate future.
My Friend you have been doing a great job and i see that you can sense light. Havent you realised yet that the only way knowledge/wisdom/truth about the mysteries can be shared is through direct mind and heart enagegment…in other words direct human contacts….by agreeing to this documentary and those doctor treatments you are showing that you are loosing light. What you share shouldnot be a audio or video image which can be shared and stored and REVERED….NO. Whats alive is missing in those documentary….your spirit…your soul. And moreover you will add ignorance in the minds of your followers and the new borns who will know you as a Film guy….or an actor….or a celebrity…and if they cling to those documentary…or image/video…they endup clinging to matter which is not allowed. No offenses carl, but you need to learn a lot before you start sharing the light…cause till now u have been sharing the honest intentions and pure faith….but without true knowledge or light…it may lead ur future to a TV/Film actor…or a mind that puts faith on doctors than on prayers or Father. In any case you will move from the path which you had set out for. the question you should be asking is…are you the role model for the new generation christian’s??? if not then why is ur past/present/future should be highlighted? I liked ur ways when u went roaming places and focused on the message that on yourself. Peace be with you my freind. I am looking forward to meeting you…..someday.
Sean ….Life is an experience of resurrection which everyone has to practice before they actually die….cause you never get a second chance. You intend to be recognised thats okie….but dont do it at the expense of Carl…i think he maybe forgiven…but not you my friend. Its gonna be difficult decision for you and others who worked to make it happen….i am just making you aware of a choice that Father has given you.
Its just my observation and it maybe wrong…….whatever i say is not going to make a diffrence….you shall sure walk the path whats already written for you. may the light be with you.
regards,
Stanley Joseph
P.s: just going through other responses on the page….i realised what a mess you are getting into. You have been taking angled shots of Carl…which makes him look like jesus….and the name u kept for the documentary…thejesusguy…..Carl…well i strongly believe that you are not a look alike…REFRAIN from accepting to be potrayed in that way too…you cannot assume the centerstage….its ur message that should take the centerstage….My friend, come back in light….Realise what the future is heading towards…realise the choice you have…
Just learned that the film is also spotlighted on the NH Film site! Check it out, http://nhfilmoffice.blogspot.com/2007/08/jesus-guy-to-premiere-in-birmingham-al.html
Just in…
The Jesus Guy has been accepted to the Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival in Birmingham, AL! The dates of the festival are Sept 28-30. We are very excited to have the World Premiere of the film here in AL where What’s Your Name is currently residing!
Complete screening details coming soon…
Wanted to share the link to a recent article about The Jesus Guy published in the Times Leader in Pennsylvania. There are some comments at the end of the article.
http://www.timesleader.com/news/20070812_12jesus_moc_1a_ART.html?=showAll=Y#comments
i love james he great he led me and my husband tyo christ and help us all along the way we love when we get to see him he still helps us hes suck a blessing i am from cullman and hes here alot more than other place but still not very offten i was wierded out by him first to but when you meet him you know hes bathed in the spirt of God he has showed us so much i dont know hwere i would be to day with out his help amd if you think hes crazy then i think its better to be crazy for jesus the smart to the world
Response to Nadika,and C. Personally I think that when we are wary of someone in some ways we have to look to ourselves and what is within us that makes us wary. Is it a warning? Is it something that has taken us out of our comfort zone? Is it simply trying to make sense of something that visually does not ‘fit in’ with what we expect to see? I think that you can only judge a person by their deeds, and their intentions behind their deeds. Revelations 22:12 ‘look, I am coming soon, and my reward is with me, to repay everyone as their deeds deserve”.
Love and Light. J.
We’d like to thank all the friends and fans that have recently contacted us about the film! To the fans in the Birmingham area, we are eagerly awaiting the verdict from the Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival as to if we are in the festival or not. If you would like to contact the festival and let them know you’d like to see it (it might help), the link to their website is below. They will be making the final decision any day now. Thanks again for your enthusiasm and continued support of the film!
http://www.sidewalkfest.com/2006/contact.html
I spoke with What’s Your Name? yesterday. We’re trying to set up a screening for him and some interested parties in the Birmingham, AL area and a Fox TV News segment/follow up on him and the debut of the film. He has not seen the finished movie yet, and I want to screen it with him in person if possible. We’re hoping to have the film screen at The Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival, Sept 28-30th in Birmingham, too. On another note, unfortunately, after his double knee surgery, WYN is not able to get around or walk much. This is really hampering his ability to evangelize. Let’s hope his mobility is regained.
I found this great quotation from Albert Maysles on his affection for documentaries that I would imagine what the director of The Jesus Guy experienced:
“As a documentarian I happily place my fate and faith in reality. It is my caretaker, the provider of subjects, themes, experiences – all endowed with the power of truth and the romance of discovery. And the closer I adhere to reality the more honest and authentic my tales. After all, the knowledge of the real world is exactly what we need to better understand and therefore possibly to love one another. It’s my way of making the world a better place.”
What a perfect description!
Hello friends:
A treasured moment for me this Monday in NYC. A nice long meeting with my documentary-making mentor and friend, Albert Maysles, about the completion of my own feature-length doc, The Jesus Guy.
I spoke to WYN the other day on the phone. What an interesting experience; it’s very strange speaking to someone so casually after reading so much about them. I’m still wary of this character.
Thanks to the first bloggers (especially “N”) for The Jesus Guy for participating. There will be lots more to come. Thanks, N, for helping us to find out the true identity of “Amy” in the film.
*Not the same “N.” who posted on June 15, 2007*
In response to “C.”: I feel that since I’ve only seen the trailer, I’m not going to make a judgement until after I see the whole film. . . he seems like such a multi-dimensional character. Maybe there will be moments in the movie when he’s looking straight at the camera and we can see whether or not he has inspiration in his eyes. . .
(This is based on the trailer:) For someone who walks around with no shoes and a robe and has that particular message, I find his relationship with the media very interesting, maybe the movie will address this further. . .
Also, I’m wondering if he’d ever come to New England. . . .
So, from the trailer I’m getting mixed feelings about this guy. He doesn’t seem humble, I feel like you can’t see the inspiration in his eyes. Any thoughts?
Great to hear that he is doing well! Glad to know he is healthy and still “doing his thing.” May God continue to bless WYN on his journey, and may WYN continue to touch the hearts of those he meets along the way. Your friends in South Jersey wish you all the best, WYN! XOXO
Just learned that What’s Your Name? is now proselytizing in Cullman, Alabama near the EWTN Catholic network TV station and the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament.
sacrament
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