Sherman's March

Ross McElwee's documentary was captivating on many levels. Interesting that it is so multi-faceted he integrates a historical context as a basis and excuse for his film. Following the route that was taken by Sherman during the civil war leaving a 700 mile by 60 mile wide area of destruction, including none other than the town in which we reside---Columbia. Most southerners cringe at his name seeing him as an intruder who took part in devious crimes, yet McElwee (a southerner) relates to him. Even comparing his own failures in relations with the opposite sex to that of the failed business endeavors of this war 'hero'. McElwee is going through some sort of rite of passage---a quest-- in search for answers his own battle ground. Does he associate his own turmoil with that of Shermans---Sherman was in conflict he had relations with people in the towns his men were destroying. This inner-struggle McElwee fueled his ambition for this film---just like in the other screening 'Phantom Limb' and similar in Eakins chapter he accounts that successful autobiographical information comes from a sort of seperation of self or conflict-----is the only way to achieve an accurate autobiographical depiction?