Super interesting! The context gets me, being so far before the forms we know now as commonplace, tv shows candid camera news cycle etc. You can just see how unusual it seems to the people being asked!
Was it more frustrating or saddening to realize people can be so terrified to express their own opinion to another human being? Interesting piece thank you Mr. Hoffman ✨
i think it was very good alot of people were honest with "i don't know enough to express an opinion " absolutely refreshing rather than uneducated people talking about things they don't know .... I found this empowering excellent and wish more people would say that ... I don't know enough about it to form an opinion !!!! Absolutely Brilliant
@viol8r007 I don't think there is anything wrong with not having an opinion in things you have no knowledge. The question is one it would be hard not to have an opinion about, or even definition to offer. I find it incredibly disheartening to think you believe adults in our country during that period were too ill informed on the topic of brotherhood to offer their OPINIONS, not facts, on the subject. I refuse to believe that the kids who were out testing our own in math and science hadn't been educated enough to have formed an opinion. It is a lovely segment though it isn't what it was intended to be, or is it? Hope you're blessed 🌞✨
I love these types of man on the street interviews you never know what a person might say or do when a camera is present. Enjoyed the description, David. "The universal brotherhood of man is our most precious possession." Mark Twain
Fabulous! I was 3 then, it brings memories to me. My father was nearly 50 when I was born. If he were approached with that question. I'm sure he would have had an answer. He was a deep thinker. Thank you for the memories ❤
I was born in 1964. I think perhaps the fact that there wasn’t a internet/social media information available, to inform people’s opinions and beliefs back then. They really didn’t know how to answer. And it wasn’t visible within their communities. The Civil Rights movement was in play. It was a time of big social changes which can be really challenging for some people to accept. God forbid they would say something considered offensive on camera. Fear of consequences. Politics and religion were taboo topics in social gatherings., considered rude and prying. Anyway, those are some rambling thoughts of mine on the topic of your film…Really interesting that you were worked in these projects and kept copies of everything! Thank you for sharing!!!
They were so afraid to offend the sensibilities defined by a racist status quo that they forgot any prior associations with the word "brotherhood"?! Sad but likely true.
You make some very good points. For me, what you're saying points out how the discussions are available for the participation now, too, that we might affect the outcome in a new way which is different from 50s 60s. Topics like brotherhood are conceivably more "officially" part of public discourse. Completely different set of consequences. Good comment, yours👍
Wow! The question was asking what they think of the term brotherhood. I am actually shocked! Thank you for this video and the in-depth description of what was going on in 1964 for many Americans and some of the world!
@@AhJodie People knew what brotherhood meant but didn't want to discuss it. Fear was real after JFK's murder, then MLK,Jr's and the same fate for RFK. There was a lot of questioning going on-- it was seen on tv and heard all around. There wasn't any instant replay nor did people want to say the wrong thing for fear of being implicated.
I wasn't around in 1964. It is a deep question and could have different meaning to whom ever you asked. The equipment sounds like it was big and bulky, and may have intimated some people. I also have to wonder if people are in fear of hurting their neighbors feelings if they spoke their true feelings. It seems most didn't understand what brotherhood was at all. Amazing story behind the filming. Congratulations on the Blue Ribbon. :)
I think it just has more to do with the culture of the time. And talking on camera wasn't done by everyday people either. It was an unusual occurrence for these people.
but at the same time, people were far more closed off and valued excessive conformity. as much as we hate opinions, it at least gives us the ability to exercise our own freedom of expression. i rather live in a society were people openly expressed what they want to say rather than just keep it to themselves out of fear of repercussions.
@@user-mx3ri7lp4t I didn't get the feeling that the people there were afraid of consequences of what they said, but more just didn't know what they thought, and therefore what to say.
Everyone's terrified of answering, they all have an opinion about it, but to say "I have no opinion" as that man said just to dodge answering makes one wonder, what's going on? Is this New York or North Korea?
For a moment, I thought I had the wrong idea of what brotherhood meant. I looked it up in the dictionary just to be sure and confirmed my definition. Why was it so difficult for these people to answer that?! What are they afraid of?
Because in those days there were numerous "big clubs; and they weren't in them"... "brotherhood" meant Freemasons, kkk, Black Panthers, mahatma Gandhi, etc.. during the 60s, half the population in the US was under 30 and the older generations were kind of mortified at what the youth of our country was becoming; especially since most people over 40 were trying to cope with the pace of the incoming radical changes, especially the sex/drugs/rock-'n'-roll scene they walked into every single time they left their house.
I'm shocked at the evasive responses from the majority of people. I clicked on the vid thinking " oh it's 1964 this should be enlightening" What a surprise, now I'm trying to think of what was happening in America to make most folks so nervous. I wonder if President Kennedy being shot less than a year earlier made people 'skittish'.
It was a different era. People didn't talk about politics and religion much outside of the home and their church. It wasn't really seen as polite conversation.
I remember being questioned in my town-- actually it was the main street. I used the word " enlightning" too much. You were put on the spot and afraid of saying the wrong thing. No one wanted to talk about main issues. I was terrified of seeing the "questioner" near me. People weren't ready to answer quickly. Thank you David for your documentary as it brought back a memory I chose to forget.😊 There was no 24/7 news yet but the fear of having your interview shown on local tv stations was real.
“what we know is a drop in the ocean, what we don’t know is the rest of the ocean.” People once had enough humility to simply say “I don’t know”, we now spew absolute nonsense and then be proud of it.
BS, back than US was even more christian than today, "I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine" Matthew 25:40 brotherhood may not be a christian concept, but it definetly is a large component of jesuses teachings these people are scared because they dont know who will see them speak they are either racists conforming to anti racist sentiment by not revealing their opinion or non racists conforming to racist reality ergo they may or may not be racists, but they definetly are conformists who know well what brotherhood should mean but make excuses becouse taking a stance might cost them
Watching this film, I was surprised to see so many people who seem afraid to give their opinion. What happened in 1964 that might explain this feeling? President Kennedy had just been assassinated in November 63. The Civil Rights movement was active and on the verge of exploding into murders by the KKK, riots and more assassinations. Maybe people were sensing that they needed to be careful or their words might provoke more than they intended. Great film as usual!
I was around then, and can tell you, people definitely DID have plenty to say on stuff they didn't know about, more or less like now, although of course with differences in form.
1964🙌🏼Absolutely phenomenal timing for making this video and capturing the thought processes and behaviors of the people during the aftermath of JFK... 🤯🧩🧩🧩
Most people don’t like speaking on camera even today. Even though most of us walk around with a relatively sophisticated movie camera and editing platform in our pocket. Back then they had to be thinking who are these guys and what are they going to do with what we say?!?
Brotherhood is at its core the same as sisterhood, it’s a bond that cannot be broken. It’s compassion at its most relevant. It’s what dreaming women are starting to manifest on earth - in larger and larger numbers. It cannot be stopped. It’s free, freeing, and freedom. Very soon that question will not stump anyone.
…this was great fun to watch ! What a telling, unexplainable dialogue…Fantastic editing, lol ! What was the matter with (most) people ? This must’ve been the week before The Beatles were on Sullivan, lol ! 🇨🇦 Beautiful film David and Eden…
People in the comments, asking "what were they so afraid of??" Well, as the gentleman said, "I know 'he's' watching". He's talking about 'Big Brother"(aka gov't). A lot of people instinctively KNEW that JFK's death was a hit from the inside and people became very apprehensive, scared even, while trying to understand what just happened a few months earlier.
Brotherhood is one fully stuffed ideology of a word. As an identity it's the most corruptive, ending in human abuses. From something that should mean love it turns life into hell
I think it comes down to people liking to wake up on the green side of the dirt, to have a good poo and to be treated fairly with respect. My answer may be humorous, but I think it's basically what everyone wants.
I lived in those times. This snippet of interviews reminds me of what present day man and woman on the street interviews evoke in Russia - mostly fear and paranoia.
It's interesting how people project onto a vague question like that. I wonder if people would feel more comfortable commenting if it wasn't during the civil rights movement, or if it was more just a cultural difference of people keeping to themselves. One of my favorite things growing up in NYC were the provacative conversations I'd have with complete strangers I'll never see again.
Interesting seeing people asked the question back then. It's not always easy to answer on the spot. I probably would have said brotherhood is good. Like the song say's. We'll crown your good with brotherhood.
Most people back then did not want to force their beliefs and values on everyone else. Live and let live. Narcissism was not nurtured in people from cradle to grave like it is now.
really? is that why colored people couldn't drink from the same fountain as whites, because racist whites "did not want to force their beliefs and values on everyone else" is that why queer people had to hide, because christians "did not want to force their beliefs and values on everyone else" is that why there ware LYNCHINGS, because racist whites wanted to let colored people live by hanging them is that why non racist whites ware shamed and denounced as "n-word lovers" wow, I never thought that they just "lived and let others live", great point, bravo
This is fantastic. Thanks for sharing. I've posted on social media asking the same question. I think most people are just as avoidant now, even without a 40 lb cam!
I have no opinion either (obviously I'm just kidding!)😂 Still trying to let the ads play all the way through David, (even those repetitive lengthy monotonous one's!) 😂👍
@@MicahScottPnD 🎶"and get ourselves some snacks!"🎶 lol😂😂😂 I can't remember if that's exactly how the rest of that lil jingle goes or not? But it sure brings back some memories! ✌
It makes me think of my grandparents, generous but not opinionated. I remember being told, "Work hard, keep your head down, and your nose clean." Some I have met answer simply "Yes sir." or "No Mahm."
If you work for the United Nations and can’t speak on brotherhood, then something is wrong with you. They all knew what it is, they just didn’t want to be filmed giving their true definitions. And we all know why.
I was a teenager in the 60's. There were lots of hippies and peace freaks and love children (😊) and there was a rift between lots of adults I knew who thought young people lacked moral upbringing and that most young people were fools. Long way around to get to this perhaps their hesitation to answer was to them the best way to avoid controversy or a possible confrontation. Still I'm surprised by the number of people who avoided the question and how uneasy they seemed.
OMG! No wonder the hippies came on so strong. Such head in the sand attitudes. This was an eye opener for me. Kind of gutless responses. Just amazing to see!😊
Wow, how very few people could answer the concept of brotherhood, which extends to community. Its a shame, because camaraderie and togetherness is so important. Without brotherhood we stand alone. David, its a good thing you developed this brotherhood of followers. You are never alone. ❤️🙏🏻❤️
I found it really interesting how hesitant everyone seemed to give their opinion, like they feared the backlash of having one. Once the film progressed to the chorus of "ums," I thought it would end up with people actually answering, but that didn't even happen.
Thats how i remember 1964 when i was 14. But i had been in scouting so we learned campfire songs of the brother and sisterhood of mankind. As we linked arms and swayed to the song. 😊❤
I was a 9 year old girl at that time, but I had heard the song “America the Beautiful’. ….and crown thy good with BROTHERHOOD. You should’ve asked me! What the hell was wrong with these people?
David, were you responsible for EVERY cinema verite documentary from around this time?? Hah!! I feel your documentary with Johnny Cash is really well known, but now I'm finding that one French woman suntanning seems very familiar, I've seen that bit before... Your influence is too strong, even from this early on!! This film has a lot of unique stuff in it. First, in some of your other man-on-the-street stuff, people were far more ready to give out answers and sound dignified answering! I definitely noticed that with the insightful open-ended question and answers about "The Information Society". But here, many hesistate, don't want to answer, etc. even with a rather similar question! It's so interesting, I wonder why that is... But for those who did, I really appreciated hearing their insight. Still, it's surprising so many couldn't! However, now checking at the description, I can see a biiit wy it might be contentious to some people. Even so, it didn't seem politically charged or anything with the way you asked it! Speaking of that, this kind of man-on-the-street documentary is super fascinating to see so early on! Mid, arguably early-60s! Because this kind of view of people cause up in their everyday, giving their thought in their own way, is such a poignant reflection of that time! This kind of film seems more precious the further back you go, too! David, thank you for continually showing your wonderful filmmaking! It stands as such a unique perspective, where you'd come from doing mainly documentary style films like this, and it's really special how you can see the common thread even from this early stage! Heck, you showed off how you "sync'd" the mic in the same way you'd do 15 years later in the Information Society film! That's always a fun touch! 8!!! Quick note, oooh an early Nagra! They seemed to have stayed similar even when they made later ones. But for the camera to be 40lbs, wow... An Auricon, perhaps? An Arriflex 16? I thought that one was _relatively_ light! Maybe a Mitchell 16?? Regardless, thank you for spearheading filmmaking, filming ordinary people, from the start of your career to now!
Mr. Hoffman, don't you believe that if you asked those questions farther inland, that you may have had more answers to that question? New York is a very repressive place in all it's cultures......
These people had better things to do than pausing their day to answer some random stranger-with-a-camera questions. This was an era before Andy Warhol's prediction that everyone in the future would be famous for 15 minutes.
Perhaps some of you can now understand why young people in the 60s looked to musicians like Bob Dylan and the Beatles for intellectual and moral leadership and answers rather than political leaders. And also why the "generation gap" between young people and adults over 30 was such an intense dividing line in our society at that time. Had he spoken to young people he would've recieved very different and far more hopeful replies to that question.
😢 amazing how many men refuse to answer and how many of the women claim they didn't know better or they didn't understand I'm sad that minorities Denton Taylor comfortable enough to comment. But the ones that kids answer seem to do it well. Once again David, thank you so much for sharing from your personal vault. Those who forget their history are doomed to repeat it. Hope you are recovering well my friend. Have a blessed weekend
Hi David..hope you are completely healed by now ..I was3 years old at that time.. but i can remember talks in my family about those important things happening... whether living in Spain my father was part of a brook's publishin house and translator too, so we talk about many things going on in the world at those times... Your work deserves to be the memory's museum for human race best ever.. Tanks for remenber me where I come from and how lucky I was to have such a good, intelligent and cool father like mine even in the Spanish times of . Franco....Are you at home already.? Hope so.. Best wishes for you and your family.....🙏♾️💟♾️
Intriguing video. Sad some were uncomfortable to just give the definition of a simple word, shows the strength of the meaning. Do want to inquire about the injury on the interviewers nose?
I think it’s important to realize the historical context of this piece. Most of the people being questioned would have directly experienced WW2 and seen the rise of fascism and communism. All of them would have been acutely aware of McCarthyism and known that spouting opinions that could be read as pro-communist could get them fired, have their careers destroyed or get them deported. The question the interviewer was asking was vague and could easily be seen as “are you for or against communism?”. It was naive and reckless of him to ask that question given the political climate of the time. I think it reflected well on the interviewees to not take the bait, but the filmmaker chose to mock them for it by making a montage of their hesitation to respond.
They were not paranoid. They had no idea what men on the street interview stylehop could turn into a nerve then thought of television all of it all up to sign the release. It was not naïve or reckless and most people walk up the interview I was working for the national conference of Christians and Jews.
I was 8, lived in a rural NE town. i would have answered - with confidence - it meant when my 3 brothers stuck up for each other. not everyone knew the term?
@David Hoffman Filmmaker Good Evening Sir David ;-) ... Just a note to say i listened to both commercials ALL the way through in hopes it wil benefit you monitarily! I hope you feel a little better as your brain heals from that stroke! Thank You again for this video! By the way, 'Brotherhood of Man' wasn't a common phrase in 1964 - the world was still in shock over the Reported Kennedy A s s a s i n a t i o n. A song came out to teach people the phrase and meaning per se with the same name 'A Brotherhood of Man' & then others jumped on the bandwagon (i.e. Lennon: IMAGINE' ...). IMO The Majority of People KNEW their Bible & would not have had difficulty answering the question: What does it mean to trreat your neighbor as yourself? ... The Riots of in/ about 1967 & 1968 were dividing of course & yet healing came via music & Speeches & Prayer. We need more of that now too - Great song in the meantime imo is by Reba: We've got to 'GIVE IT BACK TO GOD'. DAVID, I'm going to make the effort to listen to whatever vids you put out daily & the commercials with it. God Bless You With A Restful & Healing Evening🙌🙏
"I realized quickly when I knew I should That the world was made up of this 'brotherhood of man' "For whatever that means" -Linda Perry; 4 Non-Blondes, _What's Up?_
Seems like they were afraid to say something. When you point that camera at someone with the mike being put in your face it can be very intimidating. Am sure they all had an opinion. The Kiwi Club is a brotherhood. Define the question next time.
“Brotherhood” (or “Sisterhood”) can mean so many different things - “in principle” most people probably believe in “brotherly love” - however, 60 years ago people were possibly wise to the fact that how “brotherly love” - on a day-to-day basis - translates into practical action is hugely contentious - better to say nothing !!!!
I don't understand the commentators saying that it was wonderful they were keeping their opinions to themselves. How are you supposed to connect with people if they never say what they actually think? You'd be stuck in an endless loop of pointless conversation about work, or the weather. I'd hate this kind of society
They knew what it meant in private. In their homes and families. People were smart enough not to incriminate themselves on camera, unlike the attention thirsty of this era.
This represents people being afraid to express themselves just before titanic social/cultural shifts beginning in the mid/late sixties. A more oppressed populace in general, in that respect.
I was 12 at the time and was just becoming aware of the "outside world". I was wondering if people were that different from now on a basic level...Or has media created a different kind of person. That time was a divide because media was just getting the hang of their power and influence. People's responses were their reality...and now most people seem to respond to what media tells them to think. From 1964 to 1968 was the Great Divide from my preteen point of view then. I've been doing an experiment to jump Timelines back to that time. Every Full Moon for the last year we do a Online Rave. The idea is to "remember" the vibe of that Time thru music. THE DRIVE 97.1 Classic Rock. It used to be WLS Rock then. Bob Stroud is still there.
Is what you have here actually proportionate to what you experienced when doing this? Did something like 80% of the people you interviewed actually not want to or feel that they could reply? I'm curious if the surveyor was dressed well and had a decent approach towards people. It seems odd that no one or so few could give an intelligent reply. I kind of get the idea that the surveyor may have looked intimidating.
🧐The mindset of ALL these people is understandable🙌🏼 The great JFK was taken out less than a year before, in November '63🤯... Shook every single person in their core; just like September 11 did to us...all of us walking around in some spiritual drunken stupor for years, if not decades.🧩🧩🧩🙏🏻
It was a very contentious era. A question like that brought up so many conflicting thoughts that people were afraid to speak on it.
It’s both comical and sad at the same time. Very interesting social commentary on that time, David. I love it. 😊🩵
Super interesting! The context gets me, being so far before the forms we know now as commonplace, tv shows candid camera news cycle etc. You can just see how unusual it seems to the people being asked!
@MicahScottPnD Indeed! It seemed they felt their privacy was being invaded, plus in the context of the race relations of that time.
@StephanieJeanne No doubt, and the blacklisting stuff, not exactly a "speak freely" kind of environment 😨
Was it more frustrating or saddening to realize people can be so terrified to express their own opinion to another human being? Interesting piece thank you Mr. Hoffman ✨
i think it was very good alot of people were honest with "i don't know enough to express an opinion " absolutely refreshing rather than uneducated people talking about things they don't know .... I found this empowering excellent and wish more people would say that ... I don't know enough about it to form an opinion !!!! Absolutely Brilliant
@viol8r007 I don't think there is anything wrong with not having an opinion in things you have no knowledge. The question is one it would be hard not to have an opinion about, or even definition to offer. I find it incredibly disheartening to think you believe adults in our country during that period were too ill informed on the topic of brotherhood to offer their OPINIONS, not facts, on the subject. I refuse to believe that the kids who were out testing our own in math and science hadn't been educated enough to have formed an opinion. It is a lovely segment though it isn't what it was intended to be, or is it? Hope you're blessed 🌞✨
I love these types of man on the street interviews you never know what a person might say or do when a camera is present. Enjoyed the description, David.
"The universal brotherhood of man is our most precious possession."
Mark Twain
Well said "brother man!" 😂😂😂☮✌
@@JWF99 Thanks Brother Jim 😊🧡✌
Fabulous! I was 3 then, it brings memories to me. My father was nearly 50 when I was born. If he were approached with that question. I'm sure he would have had an answer. He was a deep thinker. Thank you for the memories ❤
I’m the same age. My father, and my mother for that matter, would have definitely spoken up.
I was born in 1964. I think perhaps the fact that there wasn’t a internet/social media information available, to inform people’s opinions and beliefs back then. They really didn’t know how to answer. And it wasn’t visible within their communities.
The Civil Rights movement was in play. It was a time of big social changes which can be really challenging for some people to accept. God forbid they would say something considered offensive on camera. Fear of consequences.
Politics and religion were taboo topics in social gatherings., considered rude and prying.
Anyway, those are some rambling thoughts of mine on the topic of your film…Really interesting that you were worked in these projects and kept copies of everything! Thank you for sharing!!!
They were so afraid to offend the sensibilities defined by a racist status quo that they forgot any prior associations with the word "brotherhood"?! Sad but likely true.
You make some very good points. For me, what you're saying points out how the discussions are available for the participation now, too, that we might affect the outcome in a new way which is different from 50s 60s. Topics like brotherhood are conceivably more "officially" part of public discourse. Completely different set of consequences.
Good comment, yours👍
There were libraries and newspapers, though
Extraordinary irreplaceable footage. Without question 🙌🏼
Move on 60 years and everyone has an opinion.
Wonderful footage.. love it ❤️
David Hoffman continues to inspire us all, thank you. We each can make a difference if we want to.
Wow! The question was asking what they think of the term brotherhood. I am actually shocked! Thank you for this video and the in-depth description of what was going on in 1964 for many Americans and some of the world!
I was shocked, too! I know there was an editing process here, but still, that's a lot of interviews to base results on!
@@AhJodie People knew what brotherhood meant but didn't want to discuss it. Fear was real after JFK's murder, then MLK,Jr's and the same fate for RFK. There was a lot of questioning going on-- it was seen on tv and heard all around. There wasn't any instant replay nor did people want to say the wrong thing for fear of being implicated.
Great Footage, David. Brotherhood, loving one another. We are Great Gifts to each other... we need each other. We all are walking one another HOME 🫶🕯🫶
❤❤❤
I wasn't around in 1964. It is a deep question and could have different meaning to whom ever you asked. The equipment sounds like it was big and bulky, and may have intimated some people. I also have to wonder if people are in fear of hurting their neighbors feelings if they spoke their true feelings. It seems most didn't understand what brotherhood was at all. Amazing story behind the filming. Congratulations on the Blue Ribbon. :)
I think it just has more to do with the culture of the time. And talking on camera wasn't done by everyday people either. It was an unusual occurrence for these people.
Man, it must have been such a beautiful time in the world when people kept their opinions to them selves.
but at the same time, people were far more closed off and valued excessive conformity. as much as we hate opinions, it at least gives us the ability to exercise our own freedom of expression.
i rather live in a society were people openly expressed what they want to say rather than just keep it to themselves out of fear of repercussions.
@@user-mx3ri7lp4t I didn't get the feeling that the people there were afraid of consequences of what they said, but more just didn't know what they thought, and therefore what to say.
Everyone's terrified of answering, they all have an opinion about it, but to say "I have no opinion" as that man said just to dodge answering makes one wonder, what's going on? Is this New York or North Korea?
It was 1964 not 2025.
People didn't used to talk religion or politics in polite conversation.
These people were from an earlier era not into the habit of spouting out banal media driven "bumper sticker" replies.
I was alive in 1964. People weren’t all overly opinionated, know it all, in your face wind bags like today
People were not used to being filmed like today. The camera in your face was not common, making people nervous.
For a moment, I thought I had the wrong idea of what brotherhood meant. I looked it up in the dictionary just to be sure and confirmed my definition. Why was it so difficult for these people to answer that?! What are they afraid of?
Because in those days there were numerous "big clubs; and they weren't in them"... "brotherhood" meant Freemasons, kkk, Black Panthers, mahatma Gandhi, etc.. during the 60s, half the population in the US was under 30 and the older generations were kind of mortified at what the youth of our country was becoming; especially since most people over 40 were trying to cope with the pace of the incoming radical changes, especially the sex/drugs/rock-'n'-roll scene they walked into every single time they left their house.
…considering brotherhood is a basic Christian tenant i would’ve expected a lot more to have had an answer…
Racial tensions
the black panthers playing around until years after this film was made
Mass psychosis back in 64 wow
Not confined to the 20th century
I'm shocked at the evasive responses from the majority of people. I clicked on the vid thinking " oh it's 1964 this should be enlightening" What a surprise, now I'm trying to think of what was happening in America to make most folks so nervous. I wonder if President Kennedy being shot less than a year earlier made people 'skittish'.
It was a different era. People didn't talk about politics and religion much outside of the home and their church. It wasn't really seen as polite conversation.
I remember being questioned in my town-- actually it was the main street. I used the word " enlightning" too much. You were put on the spot and afraid of saying the wrong thing. No one wanted to talk about main issues. I was terrified of seeing the "questioner" near me. People weren't ready to answer quickly. Thank you David for your documentary as it brought back a memory I chose to forget.😊 There was no 24/7 news yet but the fear of having your interview shown on local tv stations was real.
People had too much dignity to speak as if they knew everything.
@@brad9092 Yes they did.
People minded their own business then. They weren’t used to people popping out of nowhere asking questions and over sharing.
“what we know is a drop in the ocean, what we don’t know is the rest of the ocean.” People once had enough humility to simply say “I don’t know”, we now spew absolute nonsense and then be proud of it.
Just goes to show; the more things change, the more they stay the same. Thanks David.
Those were some jaded people.
These were the days when people didn't feel qualified to opine on topics that they knew nothing about.
That's why they picked a topic like brotherhood. People should know about it. It's sad that they don't.
BS, back than US was even more christian than today,
"I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine" Matthew 25:40
brotherhood may not be a christian concept, but it definetly is a large component of jesuses teachings
these people are scared because they dont know who will see them speak
they are either racists conforming to anti racist sentiment by not revealing their opinion or non racists conforming to racist reality
ergo they may or may not be racists, but they definetly are conformists who know well what brotherhood should mean but make excuses becouse taking a stance might cost them
Watching this film, I was surprised to see so many people who seem afraid to give their opinion. What happened in 1964 that might explain this feeling? President Kennedy had just been assassinated in November 63. The Civil Rights movement was active and on the verge of exploding into murders by the KKK, riots and more assassinations. Maybe people were sensing that they needed to be careful or their words might provoke more than they intended. Great film as usual!
I was around then, and can tell you, people definitely DID have plenty to say on stuff they didn't know about, more or less like now, although of course with differences in form.
The right attitude
1964🙌🏼Absolutely phenomenal timing for making this video and capturing the thought processes and behaviors of the people during the aftermath of JFK...
🤯🧩🧩🧩
Most people don’t like speaking on camera even today. Even though most of us walk around with a relatively sophisticated movie camera and editing platform in our pocket. Back then they had to be thinking who are these guys and what are they going to do with what we say?!?
Brotherhood is at its core the same as sisterhood, it’s a bond that cannot be broken. It’s compassion at its most relevant. It’s what dreaming women are starting to manifest on earth - in larger and larger numbers. It cannot be stopped. It’s free, freeing, and freedom. Very soon that question will not stump anyone.
Another gem!
…this was great fun to watch ! What a telling, unexplainable dialogue…Fantastic editing, lol ! What was the matter with (most) people ? This must’ve been the week before The Beatles were on Sullivan, lol ! 🇨🇦 Beautiful film David and Eden…
People in the comments, asking "what were they so afraid of??" Well, as the gentleman said, "I know 'he's' watching". He's talking about 'Big Brother"(aka gov't). A lot of people instinctively KNEW that JFK's death was a hit from the inside and people became very apprehensive, scared even, while trying to understand what just happened a few months earlier.
Thanks David. Those were pre-socially-concious times for the Everyman.
Brotherhood is one fully stuffed ideology of a word. As an identity it's the most corruptive, ending in human abuses. From something that should mean love it turns life into hell
😂maybe they were scared of The Brotherhood. Maybe brotherhood meant Freemasonry and they had to be secret🤫
I think it comes down to people liking to wake up on the green side of the dirt, to have a good poo and to be treated fairly with respect. My answer may be humorous, but I think it's basically what everyone wants.
I was 10 years old. Life was simple then. We tried for love & peace ❤
Being 10 years old provides a different perspective when compared to adults. The innocence of youth is always precious.
@JB-eg1tb I know...I still believe in peace...otherwise we are only animals fighting over territory...???
Little did we know a few decades later everyone would have an opinion about everything
They seem scared. Like someone is watching them.
I lived in those times. This snippet of interviews reminds me of what present day man and woman on the street interviews evoke in Russia - mostly fear and paranoia.
Brotherhood is a strange word. It makes me think of secret societies.
Anyone notice Fred Armisen at 3:56 lol
It's interesting how people project onto a vague question like that. I wonder if people would feel more comfortable commenting if it wasn't during the civil rights movement, or if it was more just a cultural difference of people keeping to themselves. One of my favorite things growing up in NYC were the provacative conversations I'd have with complete strangers I'll never see again.
Interesting seeing people asked the question back then. It's not always easy to answer on the spot. I probably would have said brotherhood is good. Like the song say's. We'll crown your good with brotherhood.
People were private. Especially in NY.
Walk up to a New Yorker with a camera and it was time to close up shop.
This was filmed all over America.
Thanks!
Thank you
I think people were more camera shy in the days before cell phones, etc, and not inclined to be particularly spontaneous.
Most people back then did not want to force their beliefs and values on everyone else. Live and let live. Narcissism was not nurtured in people from cradle to grave like it is now.
really? is that why colored people couldn't drink from the same fountain as whites, because racist whites "did not want to force their beliefs and values on everyone else"
is that why queer people had to hide, because christians "did not want to force their beliefs and values on everyone else"
is that why there ware LYNCHINGS, because racist whites wanted to let colored people live by hanging them
is that why non racist whites ware shamed and denounced as "n-word lovers"
wow, I never thought that they just "lived and let others live", great point, bravo
People seemed afraid back then. I wonder why?
This is fantastic. Thanks for sharing. I've posted on social media asking the same question. I think most people are just as avoidant now, even without a 40 lb cam!
I'd love to see what responses you get
Thank god for the internet.
The cuts are amazing in 1960 literally laughing my ahh off at the end 😂
I have no opinion either (obviously I'm just kidding!)😂 Still trying to let the ads play all the way through David, (even those repetitive lengthy monotonous one's!) 😂👍
@JWF99... When those adverts start playing is a good time to go into the lobby get yourself a Scooby Snack 👍🥪🍕🥤🍫🍪😉
@drewpall2598 Yep, and I could sure use some more Milk Duds & Popcorn anyways! 🍿lol😅😂😂😂👌
@drewpall2598 "Ruby ruby roo!" 🐶😂😂😂✌
🎶"Let's all go to the lobby..."🎶😂😉📽🍿🥤
@@MicahScottPnD 🎶"and get ourselves some snacks!"🎶 lol😂😂😂 I can't remember if that's exactly how the rest of that lil jingle goes or not? But it sure brings back some memories! ✌
It makes me think of my grandparents, generous but not opinionated. I remember being told, "Work hard, keep your head down, and your nose clean." Some I have met answer simply "Yes sir." or "No Mahm."
If you work for the United Nations and can’t speak on brotherhood, then something is wrong with you. They all knew what it is, they just didn’t want to be filmed giving their true definitions. And we all know why.
Why do you think?
I was a teenager in the 60's. There were lots of hippies and peace freaks and love children (😊) and there was a rift between lots of adults I knew who thought young people lacked moral upbringing and that most young people were fools. Long way around to get to this perhaps their hesitation to answer was to them the best way to avoid controversy or a possible confrontation. Still I'm surprised by the number of people who avoided the question and how uneasy they seemed.
Well, you got one actual answer anyhow, in the section I saw...
VERY interesting!
I wonder if the word was associated with the clan at the time.
OMG! No wonder the hippies came on so strong. Such head in the sand attitudes. This was an eye opener for me. Kind of gutless responses. Just amazing to see!😊
So polls were just as annoying in the 1960’s as they are now! 😂
Boy have times changed !! No one has anything to say .
They all think you wanted something from them. They didn't think in abstract terms. Or it was such a deep question they got tonguetied.
Wow, how very few people could answer the concept of brotherhood, which extends to community.
Its a shame, because camaraderie and togetherness is so important.
Without brotherhood we stand alone.
David, its a good thing you developed this brotherhood of followers. You are never alone.
❤️🙏🏻❤️
Always wonder what became of these people and how their lives turned out.
I found it really interesting how hesitant everyone seemed to give their opinion, like they feared the backlash of having one. Once the film progressed to the chorus of "ums," I thought it would end up with people actually answering, but that didn't even happen.
Thats how i remember 1964 when i was 14. But i had been in scouting so we learned campfire songs of the brother and sisterhood of mankind. As we linked arms and swayed to the song. 😊❤
I was a 9 year old girl at that time, but I had heard the song “America the Beautiful’. ….and crown thy good with BROTHERHOOD. You should’ve asked me! What the hell was wrong with these people?
David, were you responsible for EVERY cinema verite documentary from around this time?? Hah!! I feel your documentary with Johnny Cash is really well known, but now I'm finding that one French woman suntanning seems very familiar, I've seen that bit before... Your influence is too strong, even from this early on!!
This film has a lot of unique stuff in it. First, in some of your other man-on-the-street stuff, people were far more ready to give out answers and sound dignified answering! I definitely noticed that with the insightful open-ended question and answers about "The Information Society". But here, many hesistate, don't want to answer, etc. even with a rather similar question! It's so interesting, I wonder why that is... But for those who did, I really appreciated hearing their insight. Still, it's surprising so many couldn't!
However, now checking at the description, I can see a biiit wy it might be contentious to some people. Even so, it didn't seem politically charged or anything with the way you asked it!
Speaking of that, this kind of man-on-the-street documentary is super fascinating to see so early on! Mid, arguably early-60s! Because this kind of view of people cause up in their everyday, giving their thought in their own way, is such a poignant reflection of that time! This kind of film seems more precious the further back you go, too!
David, thank you for continually showing your wonderful filmmaking! It stands as such a unique perspective, where you'd come from doing mainly documentary style films like this, and it's really special how you can see the common thread even from this early stage! Heck, you showed off how you "sync'd" the mic in the same way you'd do 15 years later in the Information Society film! That's always a fun touch! 8!!!
Quick note, oooh an early Nagra! They seemed to have stayed similar even when they made later ones. But for the camera to be 40lbs, wow... An Auricon, perhaps? An Arriflex 16? I thought that one was _relatively_ light! Maybe a Mitchell 16??
Regardless, thank you for spearheading filmmaking, filming ordinary people, from the start of your career to now!
Mr. Hoffman, don't you believe that if you asked those questions farther inland, that you may have had more answers to that question? New York is a very repressive place in all it's cultures......
1:10 is the cameraman some kind of wise guy? he said get outta here
These people had better things to do than pausing their day to answer some random stranger-with-a-camera questions. This was an era before Andy Warhol's prediction that everyone in the future would be famous for 15 minutes.
Perhaps some of you can now understand why young people in the 60s looked to musicians like Bob Dylan and the Beatles for intellectual and moral leadership and answers rather than political leaders. And also why the "generation gap" between young people and adults over 30 was such an intense dividing line in our society at that time. Had he spoken to young people he would've recieved very different and far more hopeful replies to that question.
😢 amazing how many men refuse to answer and how many of the women claim they didn't know better or they didn't understand I'm sad that minorities Denton Taylor comfortable enough to comment. But the ones that kids answer seem to do it well. Once again David, thank you so much for sharing from your personal vault. Those who forget their history are doomed to repeat it. Hope you are recovering well my friend. Have a blessed weekend
First thing that comes to mind is community
Looks like one of the interviews took place at Green Acres Mall in Valley Stream, Long Island.
You are correct
At last, proof that time travel exists, at 2:26 Will Smith has aged🕵🏿
I think, ahhh, da, ahhh, I don't know. Thanks, America.
Hi David..hope you are completely healed by now ..I was3 years old at that time.. but i can remember talks in my family about those important things happening... whether living in Spain my father was part of a brook's publishin house and translator too, so we talk about many things going on in the world at those times... Your work deserves to be the memory's museum for human race best ever.. Tanks for remenber me where I come from and how lucky I was to have such a good, intelligent and cool father like mine even in the Spanish times of . Franco....Are you at home already.? Hope so..
Best wishes for you and your family.....🙏♾️💟♾️
Yes I am home thank you
Intriguing video. Sad some were uncomfortable to just give the definition of a simple word, shows the strength of the meaning. Do want to inquire about the injury on the interviewers nose?
It's the Tom Gray show😅
I think it’s important to realize the historical context of this piece. Most of the people being questioned would have directly experienced WW2 and seen the rise of fascism and communism. All of them would have been acutely aware of McCarthyism and known that spouting opinions that could be read as pro-communist could get them fired, have their careers destroyed or get them deported.
The question the interviewer was asking was vague and could easily be seen as “are you for or against communism?”. It was naive and reckless of him to ask that question given the political climate of the time. I think it reflected well on the interviewees to not take the bait, but the filmmaker chose to mock them for it by making a montage of their hesitation to respond.
They were not paranoid. They had no idea what men on the street interview stylehop could turn into a nerve then thought of television all of it all up to sign the release. It was not naïve or reckless and most people walk up the interview I was working for the national conference of Christians and Jews.
I was 8, lived in a rural NE town. i would have answered - with confidence - it meant when my 3 brothers stuck up for each other. not everyone knew the term?
😢
Love the lady sun baking
Alanis morissette in her song says that brotherhood of Man for whatever that means so she didn't even know
Sounds like a way of saying everybody
@David Hoffman Filmmaker Good Evening Sir David ;-) ... Just a note to say i listened to both commercials ALL the way through in hopes it wil benefit you monitarily! I hope you feel a little better as your brain heals from that stroke! Thank You again for this video!
By the way, 'Brotherhood of Man' wasn't a common phrase in 1964 - the world was still in shock over the Reported Kennedy A s s a s i n a t i o n. A song came out to teach people the phrase and meaning per se with the same name 'A Brotherhood of Man' & then others jumped on the bandwagon (i.e. Lennon: IMAGINE' ...). IMO The Majority of People KNEW their Bible & would not have had difficulty answering the question: What does it mean to trreat your neighbor as yourself? ... The Riots of in/ about 1967 & 1968 were dividing of course & yet healing came via music & Speeches & Prayer. We need more of that now too - Great song in the meantime imo is by Reba: We've got to 'GIVE IT BACK TO GOD'. DAVID, I'm going to make the effort to listen to whatever vids you put out daily & the commercials with it. God Bless You With A Restful & Healing Evening🙌🙏
Dumbing down of America started much earlier than I originally thought🤪
"I realized quickly when I knew I should
That the world was made up of this
'brotherhood of man'
"For whatever that means"
-Linda Perry; 4 Non-Blondes, _What's Up?_
Seems like they were afraid to say something. When you point that camera at someone with the mike being put in your face it can be very intimidating. Am sure they all had an opinion. The Kiwi Club is a brotherhood. Define the question next time.
read the description
“Brotherhood” (or “Sisterhood”) can mean so many different things - “in principle” most people probably believe in “brotherly love” - however, 60 years ago people were possibly wise to the fact that how “brotherly love” - on a day-to-day basis - translates into practical action is hugely contentious - better to say nothing !!!!
I don't understand the commentators saying that it was wonderful they were keeping their opinions to themselves. How are you supposed to connect with people if they never say what they actually think? You'd be stuck in an endless loop of pointless conversation about work, or the weather. I'd hate this kind of society
They knew what it meant in private. In their homes and families. People were smart enough not to incriminate themselves on camera, unlike the attention thirsty of this era.
Just to let you know your reasoning is not correct. People are excited to be on camera and decided to give their opinion. Just like that subject.
This represents people being afraid to express themselves just before titanic social/cultural shifts beginning in the mid/late sixties. A more oppressed populace in general, in that respect.
Divide by 0 seems easier to answer.
3:50 isn’t that that lady from the Apprentice?
Hey, you snuck Bascom Lamar Lunsford in from another documentary. Lol, it cut well.
I guess being someone's brother back then was very risque. 😮
No. People just kept to themselves back then. They had more class.
And crown thy good with....? United by a belief or a set of principles? I mean, is it that hard?
Paranoid people ….. I guess nothings changed
Where was this filmed ?
All over America really
Satan causes fear God comforts all who have faith in his son's gift. Its that simple know peace truly! Seek him!
wow
I was 12 at the time and was just becoming aware of the "outside world". I was wondering if people were that different from now on a basic level...Or has media created a different kind of person. That time was a divide because media was just getting the hang of their power and influence. People's responses were their reality...and now most people seem to respond to what media tells them to think. From 1964 to 1968 was the Great Divide from my preteen point of view then.
I've been doing an experiment to jump Timelines back to that time. Every Full Moon for the last year we do a Online Rave. The idea is to "remember" the vibe of that Time thru music.
THE DRIVE 97.1 Classic Rock. It used to be WLS Rock then. Bob Stroud is still there.
Challenge to the CHAT- what do you have to say about "Brotherhood" ?
What was the question?
Is what you have here actually proportionate to what you experienced when doing this? Did something like 80% of the people you interviewed actually not want to or feel that they could reply? I'm curious if the surveyor was dressed well and had a decent approach towards people. It seems odd that no one or so few could give an intelligent reply. I kind of get the idea that the surveyor may have looked intimidating.
🧐The mindset of ALL these people is understandable🙌🏼 The great JFK was taken out less than a year before, in November '63🤯... Shook every single person in their core; just like September 11 did to us...all of us walking around in some spiritual drunken stupor for years, if not decades.🧩🧩🧩🙏🏻