Telling Nicholas - The Movie

Email From Viewers
The following were written to
James Ronald Whitney

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I just wanted to let you know that your above mentioned work has completely left an life-long lasting impression upon me.

I am a mother with two boys ages 1 and 5. I watched your documentary last night on HBO and was completely touched by your work!

I am sure that you receive thousands of messages regarding the outstanding work you do! But I just wanted to take one moment to e-mail you and tell you thanks.

There are moments when I can be less than tolerant with my children and after watching your documentary, it has re-opened my eyes to what truly is important. Before I get upset over the "little things" I am now reminded of just how special, fragile and important the bond is that I share with my very own "Little Men".

Thank you again and please keep doing what is clearly your "God Given Talent".
Ann

I wanted to take this opportunity to praise your documentary "Telling Nicholas".

Being the parent of a five year old boy I can certainly relate to their inquisitive nature and endless barrage of "why" questions that are aimed at satisfying their curiosity.

I was very apprehensive at first to watch your film because I felt I could not bear to watch a child in pain, but in the end I coaxed myself into sitting down and watching. I must confess to something which I am not ashamed of and that is of crying like I have never cried before at the sight of Nicholas consoling his father and at the sametime dealing with his own grief.

I commend you for keeping it human and I commend you for having the strength to deal with such pain, especially that of a seven year old child.

I wish you and all New Yorkers the best of luck and thank you sincerely for keeping the memory of all the innocent who died so needlesly on September 11, 2002.

Many many regards,
Jorge

I just wanted to let you know how brilliant I feel your work is. "Telling Nicholas" touched me and inspired me so much. I work at a boutique talent agency for DP's, but when I watch your work and the reality that you capture with class and dignity, I realize I really am living in La La Land out here in Los Angeles with posing artists who are cold and disrespectful and well....quite frankly...producers of trash. You're not in your face, tacky or disrespectful. You work with such a soft creative hand and I truely respect you. Your ideas are superb.

I'm sure you get about a thousand of these everyday, so I'll just be 1001... Please keep that wonderful, creative, breakthrough thought process rolling. Your ideas and visions are what the people need to see more of.

Take care......
Laurie

My name is Deanna and I live in San Diego, California. Even though I didn't lose anyone on September 11 and I was a continent away, the days events have affected me in a profound way. I continue to be sad and to cry when I think of all the people who lost friends and family, especially the children. I just saw your movie yesterday and¾I am haunted by needing to know what happened to Nicholas' Aunt Cindy. How is she...has she been able to deal with the trauma? Is she able to care for her daughters, or have they lost a parent, as well?¾

I searched your website for an update, but I didn't¾find what I was looking for. If you know how Nicholas' Aunt Cindy is doing, I would be grateful to know. I will keep the Lanza family in my prayers.¾

Thank you for your presence of mind in filming this movie. I hope it proved to be cathartic for you and helped¾you grieve for all you lost. In can't begin to imagine how you feel, all I can do is continue to keep pray for those affected. May God bless you..
Deanna

My wife and I broke down last night and watched your documentary on Nicholas. The reason I say, "broke down," is because we knew it was going to be heart-wrenching. We were very correct.

I wanted to thank you for using this experience to remind me what it is to be a husband and father. I also wanted to thank you for showing what it was like for the Muslim family who lost their father. You did an excellent job of showing how this tragedy touched people of all races, nationalities, and religions.

Once again, thank you. However, I wish you never would have had to make this film.
God Bless
Jeff

Congratulations on a very powerful and important film. I was very moved by it and impressed with every aspect of the production.

The story would have worked even if it was shot on VHS. However, I was also very impressed with the look that you achieved, particularly in dimly lit indoor scenes. May I ask what camera/s you used to shoot the documentary and who you used for color correction?

Again, congratulations on a first rate effort and such an important contribution.
Sincerely,
Nathan

I will try to write the words I am feeling inside. For the past year I have been dealing with depression, I am 31 years old today, I live in Alaska dealing with the long winters are so hard. All things build up inside and make the days hard to get thru. All of that has changed. "Telling Nicholas" has changed my days. Mothers day was over I was laying in bed next to my amazing husband. My two beautiful children lay softly in their safe beds. I came across the program that has changed my life. I spent the next 30 minutes watching this child the same age as my oldest girl live his carefree innocence. Understanding that "mommy" is at the place where missing people go. I laid and watched. Then three words came out of the mouth of a child the same age of my own................"my mommy died". Those three words traveled thru my ears straight to whatever area of my brain that registers it and smacked me so hard. Three days later I am still crying. What is so damn bad in my life? Not a thing. I laid in my bed crying like I was his mommy seeing him be hurt killed me. The innocence in a child to have to say those words is just too much for me to handle. My life is perfect in comparison. Who am I to complain? I will say I had to turn off the show because I was so overwhelmed. All I wanted to do was get in bed with my children and hold tight. Reach for a child who said three words to change the depression that medicine couldn't even take care of. September 11th touched everyone in so may different ways. I had no person I knew, no one who knew anyone. Was I lucky that way? Maybe, but now I know someone. I just was and am so overwhelmed and touched that it has changed everything about me. For the past few days I am a different person. I just want to live life and love. I want to be everything I can to my family and friends. I want to be as strong as Nicholas. I keep his three words in my head as my medicine. I will not allow myself to forget those three words. Along with three other words, I love you, I have now found something in myself that had been lost. Please let him know to be strong. He has angels all around him. I send him Alaska wishes and dreams. Also, thank him for his life that his mommy gave him so others can learn from.
Rainey

I would like to commend Mr. James Ronald Whitney on his production about the tragedy 9/11. The story touched me very deeply and made me realize a lot about my life in general. I would truly hope Mr. James Ronald Whitney, that your other half (if you have one) really appreciates the person that you are. I did not know who you were until today. It truly is a small World. My name is Carmen, born in England, raised in Brisbane Australia and at the age of 17 moved to the Costa Del Sol Spain with the family. During my six years in Spain I did some traveling through Europe which I found most fascinating. I have always loved the blend of different cultures and foods. A toast to my parents for that! Well, here we are in the year 2002 and I am living in Westfield New Jersey! Perhaps we may bump into each other someday, who knows, after all, it is a small world. Good luck always,
Carmen

Thank you for the beautiful job you did on the film last night on HBO. I was wondering if there was a fund setup for Nicholas? I would love to send something to this amazing boy.
Thank you,
Jaime

Great film. I loved it. Is the theme song available?
izzi

I watched your documentary last Sunday evening called, "Telling Nicholas". I certainly am no expert on film making however, I must say, your story telling is one that I will treasure forever. I have after one week, made several copies for myself, family and friends. I, like many Americans, felt intense anger towards middle eastern people after the 9-11 attack. I guess Americans are very spoiled. We have such a great country with all the freedom to do and achieve. It has created a society that is ignorant of the world. Your approach to showing that ignorance when panning from Ethel to Thanbir's family (a more balanced family when dealing with a similar tragedy) was portrayed simply and beautifully. That particular sceen made everyone that was viewing sob very hard. Rarely am I moved to such a degree that I would search the internet to find out more about someone. I am a great lover of the arts. After reading your bio, I think you have found what God intended for you to do. People are talking!! Are your ears burning??!!
VTY,
JoAnn

I would like to find out if Telling Nicholas is available to purchase? Michelle's sister Susan is one of our graduates and we are very interested in obtaining a copy of this documentary to share with our staff.
Warm regards,
Adrian

I accidently ran across "Telling Nicholas" while staying in a hotel last week and haven't gotten it out of my mind since. ¾Whitney has grabbed my attention and I'd love to see his other documentaries. ¾Please tell me how I can get a copy of them! ¾¾
¾¾¾¾¾Thanks! tawandapdx

I just wanted to say how moved I was by the Telling Nicholas documentary. There is no doubt that Sept. 11th 2001 was the most poignant moment in every American's life. James Whitney captured the effects of the tragedy beautifully. I was particularly impressed that he interviewed the Muslim family. It is crucial that people recognize the fact that people from all walks of life were all suffering. Many Americans, like Nicholas' grandmother, lashed out at the Muslims. I hope this film convinced the American people that we are more alike than different, and we must ban together to recover from this terrible tragedy. In a word, the film was brilliant!
Laurie

I am so impressed with your work. You have alot of heart in what you do and I have shared your work with some associates of mine. You not only shared the lives of others but that of yourself as well. And a great web site as well. I look forward to upcoming films and hope all is well in New York.
Kristi

Since there was no topic labeled "Telling Nicholas" I thought I would comment here. It is one of the most powerful and tragic documentaries I've ever seen. The last 10 minutes of the film will be forever etched in my mind. Five days have passed now and it still creeps into my everyday thoughts. The filmmaker should take credit and comfort in knowing that he inspired at least one mom out there (me) to wake-up everyday and thank God for my son, my husband and family support system - an obvious gift that many days gets taken for granted. When Nicholas's father sat him down on the stoop on day 10 I pictured my husband and son in those roles and just completely lost it. Twenty minutes later I was still crying in my bathroom. The next day it was on again I asked my husband to watch it with me - we both cried and then went and stood at my son's bedroom doorway to watch him sleep. Thank-you for not letting us forget 9/11 as I fear many fickle ones already have...
A mom in Upstate, NY

Telling Nicholas has touched me like no other documentary ever did. We cannot forget that there are thousands more suffering as this family is, or the children left without parent(s). I pray for Nicholas, his father, his grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. I defend this film-maker, this man lived among the wreckage, witnessed it all, and had friends among the missing and dead. This is an emotional film, made by someone who's emotion was on overload.

James, my name is Edith and I am writing you as a representative of Heartmade Blessings, a non-profit organization of ladies that has been making and sending crocheted afghans to those who lost loved ones on Sept. 11th. You can check out our validity at www.heartmadeblessings.org. I watched your documentary "Telling Nicholas" and our organization wants to send an afghan to Al and Ethel, Cindy, Robert and Nicholas. I am in the process of assembling the one for Nicholas now. However, it seems that Nicholas and Robert have moved to Virginia, and although I can send Nicholas' afghan to Cindy and ask her to forward, I was wondering if you could either accept Nicholas' afghan and send it or ask Robert if he would allow you to give me their mailing address. I understand perfectly if he would rather not in order to protect Nicholas from the media, etc. Please be assured that our organization is sincere in our efforts to provide comfort to as many as we can reach and have sent over 350 comfortghans to the families of those lost on Sept. 11th. I hope you will reply to this email as I am anxious to do something for Nicholas.
Edith

I am writing to you with compliments on your documentary on "Telling Nicholas" which was on HBO last week. I think you did a great job in telling the story. As sad as the story was, the¾ending of¾getting¾Nicholas's family to change their feelings at least a little bit against Muslims was somewhat promising of our world¾being at peace one day. I¾can honestly say that when I see a person of middle-eastern descent, I get some of the same feelings that¾Nicholas's family felt towards them. But then to see a Muslim family go through the same that Nicholas's family went through, changed my ways of thinking.¾¾

I also saw your documentary¾"Just, Melvin". I give you¾a lot of respect¾for going through with that documentary.¾¾That must have been very hard for you to go¾learn about the things that he did¾to your mother and family. I give you a lot of credit for digging deep like that.¾¾

I enjoy watching your films and am¾interested in seeing them all. In "Telling Nicholas", you mentioned a film you did about porn star moms, I would be interested in seeing that. Please give me any details on how I can get to see the rest your films.
From a great fan of your work,
Sincerely,
Adrienne

Hey Ron...
FAN MAIL for ya...
May 13, 2002
Subject: Cheri... The documentary was great
We all watched it was great, You must be soo proud of your little brother ¾I was glued to it, he did a great job... i posted it on moms and wifes,I will let you know what i hear ¾We were all crying at the same time, and then when Nicholas said... Dad,are you going to find a new wife, we lost it , I was upstairs, and kenny and misst were downstairs...we all were wiping our eyes,,, jeez, don't yell at me anymore for sending you those about the puppies And poor Ethel, I felt sooo bad for her... ok, I'll ask you more when I see ya,
Cindy

Email From Viewers

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© 2001-03 James Ronald Whitney
See the Web sites for the director's other films: Just, Melvin, TheWorkingGirl.com and Games People Play: New York
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