Dear Jesse

Dear Jesse is a documentary style film directed and written by Tim Kirkman, which was released in 1997. The movie is named after a popular son by the band, The Rankin Family. The movie focuses on the life and times of Jesse Helms, a prominent North Carolina senator at the time.

Throughout the film, we witness people's perspectives on Jesse Helms and how he affected their lives as a senator. We see different social and political issues addressed throughout the movie, including the fight against HIV/AIDS and the fight for equal rights for the LGBTQ+ community. The movie also highlights a major controversy surrounding a painting funded by the National Endowment for Arts called Piss Christ, which depicted a crucifix submerged in urine.

The film features interviews with ordinary citizens of North Carolina, politicians, activists, and historians who have a connection to Jesse Helms. People who have worked alongside him, people who have protested against him, and people who have protested because of him all come together in front of the camera to share their stories about Jesse.

The movie provides an intriguing insight into North Carolina's politics in the 1980s and the 1990s. It sheds light on the various social issues the state was dealing with at the time, including homophobia and racism. We see a clear contrast in opinions of people from different backgrounds living as neighbors, and even from different political borders such as Chapel Hill, Raleigh, and New York.

Overall, Dear Jesse is an inspiring documentary that tells us about Jesse Helms and his political legacy. The documentary also informs us about the political climate of North Carolina in the late 80s and early 90s. This movie is relevant to today's political climate and a must watch for anyone wanting to learn about the challenges of social and political issues of the time.