Parent Exploratory Group...

Parent Exploratory Group Meeting
November 13, 2003

United Artists Capital City Mall 6 Theater, Camp Hill

Introduction --
Well, this was certainly a change of plans. Rather than holding our November meeting of the Parent Exploratory Group (PEG) as scheduled in the DCTS auditorium we received an enthusiastic request from Larry Evans to hold the PEG meeting around the last time showing in Pennsylvania of the film, "The Legend of Johnny Lingo." So saying a number of parents and friends of DCTS assembled at the United Artists Capital City Mall 6 Theater to talk together and view the film. Our thanks to Matt Koons for making the information on this showing available to us so that we could attend. Thanks also to all of you who braved the cold and extremely high winds to be together with us.

Who is Johnny Lingo? --
I don’t think there are any of us from the DCTS Parent Seminar who don’t know who and what Johnny Lingo is, but for those of you who have not been so blessed perhaps a small orientation is in order.

The movie "Johnny Lingo" is a 25-minute educational film that was produced by Brigham Young University in 1969 as an adaptation of the short story by Patricia McGerr, "Johnny Lingo's Eight-Cow Wife." The story itself is based on a Polynesian folktale that seems to have a significant basis in fact.

"Johnny Lingo" has been making the rounds in churches and educational circles ever since its release and has achieved a surprisingly large and loyal following around its positive messages of love, honor and respect.

Larry Evans has used "Johnny Lingo" in the Parent Seminar for a number of years. The purpose for this is to illustrate the ways in which we all too easily can choose to disrespect ourselves by allowing what we see and hear from others to become part of our self-talk. But also the movie demonstrates very well, in the person of Johnny Lingo, how each of us can be an influence to others to help them in bringing out the truly beautiful persons hidden inside.

But rather than me trying to give you the details of the movie, let me direct you to the article, "I am Moki" (http://www.affectiveskill.com/WordsF/v03_n03.htm - I am Moki) in the May/June 2002 issue of Words of Caring. This piece gives a reasonably good description of the film, and a little more.

The Legend of Johnny Lingo --
But what then is "The Legend of Johnny Lingo"? We were armed with Larry Evans' e-mail message regarding the film, but it really evoked for me more questions than answers. Even Larry, who had seen the film, wasn't fully sure of its background. And so I have done a little Internet digging to gain some further information.

"The Legend of Johnny Lingo" is a 91-minute feature length movie released in August 2003. Produced by John Garbett and Academy Award-winning producer Jerry Molen ("Hook", "Jurassic Park" and "Jurassic Park II", "Schindler's List," "Rain Man," "Twister," and, most recently, "Minority Report"), the film was shot on a $2.5 million dollar budget (a low budget production in today's world) over five weeks in Auckland, New Zealand and the Cook Islands.

Molen said he was fed up with the stress that accompanies producing the typical $100 million "studio" film. He wanted to simplify his life and make a film he could take his grandchildren to without hesitation (the movie is rated G).

There are several interesting background points to this movie. Molen considered shooting it in the Hawaiian Islands, which he loves, but chose the Cook Islands instead to remain true to the story. "The Legend of Johnny Lingo" features a number of relatively unknown actors (some of whom have appeared in films such as "Star Wars" and "Attack of the Clones"), but who are also authentic Polynesians. One of the film's main characters is the distinguished New Zealand actor George Hanare and one of Polynesia's most accomplished screenwriters, Riwia Brown ("Once Were Warriors"), wrote the screenplay.

The setting for the fictional Malio Island (a central location in the story) is New Zealand's dramatic west coast on the rugged cliffs of Phia Beach. Johnny Lingo's trading vessel – in reality the Te-Au-0-Tonga – is one of only a handful of authentic double-hulled canoes in the world. It was supplied courtesy of the Cook Islands Voyaging Society, which uses it to teach ancient sailing skills.

In the words of Jerry Molen the movie is all about the story, "No matter how successful it is," says Molen, "John and I know we've contributed something to the entertainment world that has value."

I offer my thanks to the Honolulu Star-Bulletin ("‘Lingo’ gives producer different challenges," by Tim Ryan, Starbulletin.com, September 26, 2003) for providing me with these details.

"The Legend of Johnny Lingo" was backed by Tahitian Noni International (parent company Morinda, Inc.) a company that is the developer and marketer of a product called Tahitian Noni® Juice. Made from the fruit of the Morinda Citrifolia plant, which grows, among other places, on the islands of French Polynesia, Tahitian Noni® Juice is claimed to improve body health in a number of ways. It apparently was Tahitian Noni International who purchased theater space and brought "The Legend of Johnny Lingo" for limited engagements to select theaters around the United States.

The film has recently won the Film Advisory Board’s Award of Excellence and the Parents Television Council’s Seal of Approval. Also, MGM Home Entertainment has acquired the worldwide rights to distribute "The Legend of Johnny Lingo" on TV, DVD and home video.

As the end of the credits states, "The Legend of Johnny Lingo" is dedicated to all the Johnny Lingos in the world.

The Story --
Without giving too much away, let me say that "The Legend of Johnny Lingo" is very true to the original short film, but also rather different and intriguing in its own right.

Set in the 18th century, the movie is told as a flashback story related by Johnny Lingo to a western writer. It tells in detail far beyond the original film how Johnny Lingo and the events of the short film came to be.

The story begins on Malio Island when an ornate canoe washes up on the beach containing a small baby boy. The meaning of this perplexes the local villagers. The Malio chief, however, takes the baby as his own, considering him to be a gift from the gods, names him Tama and declares that he will raise him to be the next chief of Malio Island over his own son Pua.

The chief's wife, extremely jealous for her husband's decision, spreads vicious rumors about Tama making him the blame for a variety of misfortunes that befall the islanders. The tribe is swayed by her accusations and even the chief finally renounces Tama casting him from his care.

Tama is passed to differing families but, though he learns much along the way, no one is willing to keep Tama as their son. In the end Tama becomes the ward of the village drunk and his daughter Mahana.

Mahana's father (not named Moki in this film) badly mistreats and belittles both Tama and Mahana. Tama vows to escape the island and begins secretly to build a small surf canoe. During this time Tama and Mahana develop an intimate relationship growing up together in poverty amid the taunts and abuses of Mahana's father and the entire village. Mahana, considered ugly and of no account by the others, comes to see Tama as the only person who accepts and respects her. Mahana, in like fashion, protects and defends Tama.

Tama finally leaves Malio Island in his canoe, but promises one day to return for Mahana and take care of her. Mahana, in turn, promises to keep watch for Tama every day.

Tama comes with great difficulty to a strange island and is taken in by the legendary island trader Johnny Lingo (George Hanare). Johnny – a man of considerable, but simple wisdom – shows Tama kindness and fosters in him the meaning of honor and respect. Over a period of eight years Tama learns well from his mentor and encounters a number of adventures trading with Johnny Lingo between the islands.

It is when Johnny Lingo is nearing his death that he relates to Tama a secret. It turns out that Johnny Lingo is not simply the man who is now Tama's guardian. Rather, Johnny Lingo is the name of Johnny's own former teacher who took in the now Johnny Lingo as a boy, taught him the ways of life and passed the name Johnny Lingo down to him upon his death. Johnny also now passes the name Johnny Lingo to Tama.

Though there is much more than I have related and much more to tell, I must stop here unless I let out too much and spoil the movie for those of you who will see it. But still there is more to say.

The Meaning of Johnny Lingo --
The movie goes on to relate the events contained within the original film, but in a different, and I believe, much more complete, real and sensitive way. It is not necessary here to tell of these events, but I believe it is necessary to speak more of Johnny Lingo.

I have struggled much with this summary wondering what I should say to you who were not there about this PEG meeting and about this film. The following, I believe, are some points of value for you – even those of you who did attend – to take away from this movie.

"The Legend of Johnny Lingo" was very much done on a small budget and, as with most small budget movies, there are a variety of gaps, inconsistencies and rough spots within the production. I have poured over many, many web sites in review of the film while working to prepare this summary. Many critics have gone to great lengths to point out their opinion of the campy qualities of The Legend and even its original precursor.

Some simply did not like the movie. Many others, while disturbed by its seemingly low technical quality, could not find it in themselves to play down the film. This is rather unusual among movie critiques.

Of course, many critics and fans have pointed (some with real fervor) to the message of The Legend. This has been done with the usual words relating to goodness, honor, love and respect.

In all honesty, these profiles have left me hollow and lacking with regard to this movie. The words spoken even by the myriad followers and supporters are not expressing what I got from this movie or its parent film. But I also could not figure out exactly what it was that was missing, in short, what it was that I got. Then it hit me.

There is a quote in "The Legend of Johnny Lingo." I believe it is spoken first by Johnny Lingo and is later taken up by Tama. My memory is poor as to the exact wording and the lines appear nowhere on the official movie site or in the many reviews I have read. I am, therefore, paraphrasing, but I think I am very close. Johnny first says to Tama,

"The thing for which you pay the highest price is that which has the greatest value. The question is, are you willing to pay the price?"

This simple set of two sentences is, to me, the entire core of this, so called, campy movie as well as the campy short film from which it came; and regardless of anything else, it is gold.

Why, you might ask, are two little lines so important? Let me explain.

The Highest Price, The Greatest Value --
First, let me say that George Hanare gives an absolutely wonderful performance as Johnny Lingo, and this is because he so well personifies to Tama and to the audience these two simple, but profound sentences.

When Tama washes up on the island, Johnny Lingo takes him in and provides him with care and a home. In a film such as The Legend, this is rather predictable and expected. But it is what comes slowly and oh so subtly after this that is not so expected.

Not only does Johnny Lingo take in and provide for a hapless runaway, but he does so with a quiet kindness and simple grace.

Now, even this behavior is expected in a movie of this type, but somehow George Hanare carries this in a way that is understated and impressive. Johnny Lingo is very real, but he also becomes slowly and truly larger than life in a way that, even for savvy moviegoers, is almost impossible to fathom.

Johnny Lingo is a wealthy man with an island, a large sailing canoe and a storeroom filled to overflowing with treasures amassed over many years of trading. And yet this is not his wealth. Johnny is a presence, an awe-inspiring person, and he is beloved and trusted by everyone who knows him.

His physical wealth is of no regard or impediment to this condition either by him towards others or towards him by them. This is because of Johnny's heart.

Tama, in the beginning, is fearful and distrusting towards all following his treatment on Malio Island. He lies to, abuses and even is caught stealing from Johnny Lingo in an attempt to escape from this man and this place that is suspiciously too good to be true.

Johnny, however, takes all of this from his young charge with remarkable patience, good humor and understanding.

When, at a difficult juncture, Tama asks Johnny Lingo why do you do all this for me, Johnny replies rather emotionally, "Because I believe in you, Tama."

Johnny teaches Tama not only to trade, but also, by his lessons and personal example, that all people are to be valued and respected. He shows Tama repeatedly that his vast goods, and indeed all material wealth, is intended to be used solely to the benefit of others.

And he illustrates to Tama strength comparing Tama's surf canoe, which can only take Tama where the wind wills to carry him, with Johnny's large trading canoe with which Johnny commands the wind to carry him where he needs to go. Yet, in Johnny, this power to control the winds to his needs is tempered and balanced by a deep and sincere, acquired understanding of what the true needs are.

Johnny Lingo is a man, a most skillful trader, a name, a title; and Johnny Lingo is also a spirit of being.

"The thing for which you pay the highest price is that which has the greatest value. The question is, are you willing to pay the price?"

Johnny lives by this creed in the spirit of Johnny Lingo. He has seen the great value existing in Tama, he has assessed the price for acquiring that value, and Johnny is willingly paying the price.

Johnny indeed pays the price for acquiring the value of Tama by patiently, in loving self-sacrifice, helping him to believe in and bring to fullness Tama's own unique and valuable qualities hidden within himself.

It is from these qualities, in the light of his teacher, that Tama himself becomes Johnny Lingo and, in payment of his promise, goes back to Malio Island to help in revealing to her and instilling the value of Mahana's own qualities within her.

A Life Lesson --
This saying:

"The thing for which you pay the highest price is that which has the greatest value. The question is, are you willing to pay the price?"

It is more than just the moral to a story. It is a life lesson.

I have remembered this saying in the intervening days since seeing The Legend and have mulled it in my mind and heart, applying it to the circumstances in my life.

I have discovered that it is truly foundational, for it is much more than just a simple saying. These words, indeed, are a sensitive barometer on the quality of my actions, on the quality of me.

Take on this saying seriously for yourself and see.

Simply look at any situation, and more particularly at a relationship within the situation with a person you are involved with. Then ask yourself, what is it with this person that is of the greatest value to me?

Though it may, and should, take some careful searching, it is surprisingly easy to find this greatest value.

This is so because the greatest value to you lies in what you want for this other person the very most; in what you can envision for this person as being the best. It is in the potential quality of him or her for which the highest price is being demanded of you to acquire it.

And in making this assessment of value you have also, simultaneously, come to understand the nature of the price being asked of you, what you truly must do to best serve in helping to bring this dear person to the desired condition.

Now ask yourself seriously, with all awareness and honesty; am I willing to pay this price?

Your answer, without doubt, constitutes the pivot on which the quality of your life is founded. Who you truly are, to all others and to yourself, is defined by the answer you provide to this question; by the price you are willing to pay and how you pay it, or not, to acquire this greatest of all values.

It is the quality of your answer to this question everyday, in every place and with every person that determines whether you become or not Johnny Lingo.

Conclusion --
The movie ended all too soon and we each made our way out of the theater. Some of us lingered for a bit before re-entering the cold air and some moved on more quickly to other places and appointments.

On the way home with Joshua in the back seat I could not help but think of Johnny Lingo and ask myself, what is the value to me of, and in, my son?

Next PEG Meeting --
Though there was no opportunity to talk about it in this setting, the next meeting of the Parent Exploratory Group will likely be scheduled for some time in or after January 2004. Please watch for announcements in Words of Caring and on the Affective Skills Web Site. You may also feel free to e-mail AffectiveSkill@aol.com and suggest possible meeting dates.

-- John Borland --

Affective Skills Web Site

Last Modified: October 09, 2004

Parent Exploratory Group...

Parent Exploratory Group Meeting November 13, 2003

United Artists Capital City Mall 6 Theater, Camp Hill

Parent Exploratory Group Meeting
November 13, 2003