How's Your News?

I first heard the story of the "How's Your News" team on This American Life, and had to see the DVD. It's a documentary made by a group of mentally and/or physically disabled adults and their caretakers as they travel across the nation in a van, interviewing people they meet along the way. Some can't talk, some can't walk, but all of them are excited about the opportunity to travel and to make their documentary. It's a little uncomfortable to watch, at first, because we've sort of been trained to pity these people, not to watch them, and this could've gone horribly wrong if there was any hint that the "How's Your News" group was being exploited for our entertainment. But the filmakers are obviously great friends with the news crew, and everyone seems to have a great time.

Of course, the reactions of the interviewees are varied and fascinating as well. Some avoid eye contact, some make excuses and sidle by, but most people are open to conversations and a few even join in song with the interviewers. My favorite interviewers were Ronnie Simonsen and Susan Harrington, whose creative questions and enthusiastic singing keep the cross country tour joyful and, frankly, very funny.