Direct link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kyM-pJfJXY
Hi all,
My friend, Kevin Healey, at recoverynetworktoronto.wordpress.com just randomly stumbled on this spendid and gentle parody of our blog. These students (at Regent’s College in London, UK) are a dangerously clever bunch.
I wonder whether this might the first time that any blog has been riffed, ripped and remixed into video. (Does anyone know more?)
ps
Homeless Man Speaks 
February 16, 2012 at 4:16 pm
not sure what to make of the video.
found it partly affecting and partly offensive somehow.
I wasn’t sure in what spirit the video was made.
February 17, 2012 at 1:52 am
Not like Tony Clemens at all
February 17, 2012 at 9:49 am
Hi Sharon and all,
Hmmmm. Here’s what I think. We shd start by recognising this film is the product of a school project. Indeed, the assignment could well have been to riff, rip and remix a blog for video. And the video itself wasn’t meant for those who knew Tony — Kevin only discovered it when searching for another homelessness-related video. These students never met Tony. So they’ve only had a selected set of blog snippets to work with.
In this light, I think they’ve done an excellent job, but I agree with everyone that the real Tony was a different, sharper, darker and more complex human than portrayed.
In this case, that’s totally OK with me. As Gandhi pointed out: “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” And I speak as the plastic cup (!) in the film. 🙂
Not unimportantly, I think that Tony would enjoy this bit of gentle satire. He wouldn’t see the film as cruel (I think) and nor do I.
ps
ps: Also, as far as I can determine, the film is a world first in that a video has been used to “respond” to a blog. All very 21st century to me. [Tony had an impact!]
ps
February 19, 2012 at 6:16 am
Dear Phil,
I’m Constantin Brandenburg and was involved in the making of this film.
Could you either send (co.brandenburg@gmail.com) or post your e-mail address as a reply to this so I can write you an e-mail?
We didn’t want to offend anyone and if you want the film to disappear I will be willing to do so, but more of that in the e-mail.
Thank you!
February 17, 2012 at 5:00 pm
Wow, I sure wish Tony could have seen this! I think he would have been amused, and amazed that his blog had such an impact……………..still thinking of Tony every time I walked down Roncesvalles.
February 20, 2012 at 2:55 pm
Video no longer available–wish I could’ve seen this.