This film by Patrice O’Neill revolves around the theme of peace, conflict and resolution of conflicts. The film presents the story of Flathead Valley in Montana, and it follows a deeply divided population of Montana citizens who are faced with a myriad of conflicts. Flathead Valley’s people have lived in peace for many years. However, this peace is disturbed abruptly when the people find out about the uncovering of a terror plot to kill local leaders. The community is torn, not only by this plot, but by many factors. Many residents have lost their jobs in mining and timber, and they put their blame on environmentalists. This is aggravated by a radio host who claims that environmentalists are “an enemy who should be annihilated”. The film therefore follows a stormy 2-year period examining the cause of the conflict and efforts to resolve the conflicts.
There are number of things that emerge from this film regarding peace and conflict. First, there is a thin line between peace and conflict. Borrowing the words of a participant in the film from watching the film’s trailer, “we used to be neighbors who would agree to disagree, and still live together, but not anymore” (O’Neill 1). It can be baffling how people who have coexisted peacefully for many years can turn up against one another in times of conflict. While peace brings harmony and togetherness in a community, conflict divides people. It is hate and hatred that causes conflict. When people feel hate towards other people, they are likely to engage in conflicts. As such, hate divides.
Second, talk radio has the power to make and break peace. This is because radio is a form of mass media meaning that it is capable of spreading message and reaching masses of people at any one time. Also, listeners tend to develop a cult following of radio personalities. As such, incitement through radio is a powerful weapon during conflicts. For example, in this film, the radio talk show host fans the fire when he declares that environmentalists are “an enemy who should be annihilated” (O’Neill 1). During the Rwandan Genocide in 1994, radio was used as a weapon of spreading hate messages that led to the killing many people. Third, peace is not only threatened by terror attacks or weapons of mass destruction. Peace is disturbed by issues such as land use, global-driven economic change, environmental conflict, racial discords, and anti-government extremism. For example, in Flathead Valley Montana, wealthy celebrities and retirees have arrived, and this has driven up the values of land, new economic infrastructures and housing subdivisions are taking up recreational spaces, the old industrial establishment of smelting, millwork and logging is eroding, and new laws on environment conflict with the recreational and working habits of longtime residents of the Valley. Therefore, the locals feel threatened, and it is these factors that lead to the conflict. However, every conflict has a peaceful solution or resolution.
In order to quell the rising tensions, ex-cop Brenda Kitterman invites The Working Groups so that it can bring its anti-hate program known as Not in Our Town to the Valley. The message is clear; “hate kills, and it’s time to stop it” (O’Neill 1). The campaign is a grassroots program that helps the Valley deal with violence and intolerance by holding community discussions and film screenings. However, peace does not come easy or fast. The Working Group stays for about two years. Therefore, this film adequately demonstrates how peace is shattered by various factors and how a community can be able to deal with conflicts to regain peace.
Works Cited
O’Neill, Patrice. The Fire Next Time. POV, 2005. Web. 06 May 2013. http://www.pbs.org/pov/thefirenexttime/#.UYdirsoTBih
