A Life $12
A short documentary
The story of a found box of 8mm film from the 1950s with a price tag that reads: “A Life $12.” This documentary looks back on a stranger’s life giving an unique view of some of the most important times of his life, from birthdays to graduation to shipping off to war.
In addition to getting to see the coming of age of a boy in the 50s, the film discusses why we hold onto things, what gives a thing value, and explores -- especially today in the age of perpetual recording of everything -- what happens to our photos and home videos. Ultimately posing the question: is it futile to remember?
The film has been published (along with an article written by Julian Martin-Poteet) in the Smithsonian Magazine as well as the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage Magazine
You can read the article and watch the short here
