03.12.10
Off to Paris to shoot!
I want more footage as I move forward with the film.
It has been a difficult time.
But I am moving forward and will complete the Debussy and Tokyo films.
I never met my father.
Easter Day 2008 a woman contacted me about him, and I decided to try to find him. We spoke for the first time the day I learned the friend in this video was killed in a car accident.
Tony Hilfer
After this I had a few phone calls and some letters and gifts from my father. July 2008 I drove to the remote area in the Catskills to meet him, but I could not find him.
We were never in the same room, face to face. We never touched or saw each other’s expression.
I had not heard from him in about 3 months and we had not spoken in about 6.
I never learned much about him and had many questions.
I still do. I learned yesterday he died sometime in the last 2 weeks.
1/12/10
He lived in a very remote area, in a 12 by 5 foot trailer with no electricity, a battery powered radio, and a propane heater. He was last seen Dec 22, and had probably been dead since around Christmas. I am waiting for the coroner’s report, a few of my father’s things, and his ashes.
I am used to the idea, though sad, and full of questions. He obviously chose to be alone. He was free, and lived out the consequences of his actions.
1/20/10 a box with some of his belongings arrived. The smell was horrible.
I have salvaged a few documents and a xylophone. It is strange to see the remnants of a life.
1/25/10 His ashes and a letter from Veterans Affairs offering burial stones and services arrived today. I am relieved to have them and hope to spread some of them in Kamakura. He was stationed for a time in Yokohama.
2/1///10 The coroner put the wrong date of death so I will not be able to collect any of the insurance he took out for me.
I made this video about the opening of the box:
