MovieChat Forums > The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill (2005) Discussion > Congratulations Mark

Congratulations Mark

posted 18 years ago by peter-1700
6 replies | jump to latest

I see that you sometimes pop in here so I hope you read my comments.

Congratulations on a truly brilliant, intelligent & insightful film that also happened to be enormously entertaining.

This was a rare film that skillfully entwined three really interesting stories - the story of Mark, the story of the birds and the story of the area.

It is a rare film that has me on the emotional rev limiter the whole way through – can’t remember the last time I saw anything that affected me in quite the same way.

You’ve got a converted salesman down here in Brisbane, Australia who drives those he knows and those he meets mad insisting they buy the DVD!

More power to you and thankyou for a rare cinematic experience that is even more satisfying because it’s non-fiction, written by the man himself and not played by actors!

Are you planning on coming to Australia at any stage?

[–] markbittner 18 years ago

The distributor for Australia and New Zealand is based in Brisbane, and, in fact, he brought me to Australia last year. I spend a day walking around Brisbane and sailing up and down the river. It was the only free day I had during the two weeks I was in Australia. A rainy day, but I had a good time. I went swimming briefly in Byron Bay, which was fantastic. Thank you for your enthusiasm and appreciation for the film. It was an authentic example of a "labor of love." It started from nothing and just grew.

Mark

[–] tody711 18 years ago

Mark.... You should consider yourself to be incredibly lucky to live the life you have lived. Most of us work drudge jobs for "the man" and have no contact with such incredible things as those parrots. Plus you found a loving mate yourself even if Conner didn't. I hope you thank someone for your good luck. I wish I had done something like that instead of keeping my nose to the grindstone for a measly paycheck....

[–] Kinematico 16 years ago

Are you really Mark Bittner or some impersonator?
I don't want to be rude but you know, this is internet and everybody can be whoever they wants to be. Anyway if you are indeed Mark Bitnner let me congratule you and Judy for your wonderful documentary.

Thanx a lot, and visit "Mingus" more often, otherwise he might forget how to dance! That lil' parrot got the blues!

greetings from México!

[–] markbittner 16 years ago

Yes, I am really me and not some impersonator. I'm glad you liked the film. There's a book, too, you know...I wrote it. It's not the same as the film. It tells the whole story, which is much longer than the events depicted in the film.

By the way, they sing for Mingus at the Oasis. And he dances when they do. He hasn't forgotten at all.

Say hello to Mexico for me. I was there recently, and I hope to return soon.

Mark

[–] george_isreallyscary 15 years ago

Thanks Mark for sharing your lovely story. I also look forward to reading your book.
A big thanks for sharing the Buddhist image of the river in Yosemite as well.

[–] peter-hoare-668-172834 10 years ago

Gidday mate! How are you? I felt like *beep* the last few days and have been watching too many depressing films (Leaving Las Vegas is not a good film to watch when you are drinking and virtually suicidal...). So I thought I'd cheer myself up and hire your film which I haven't seen for a few years.

Much more effective than 10 trips to a head shrinker!

I have a fleet of about six Butcher Birds that will just fly into my lounge room out of nowhere and sing madly and jump around and carry on. I don't even have to feed them. It's quite bizarre.

Ex-girlfriend told me just yesterday one of the funniest things she ever saw was me naked in the backyard at about 0300 with a huge Tawny Frog Mouth perched on my shoulder (it flew to me) whilst I bargained and pleaded with it to shut the f##k up and stop hooting continually so we could try to get some sleep after night after night of it for hours and hours.

It didn't work. I can't speak bird apparently. Gorgeous bird though. Big. Frigging sharp claws.

How are the parrots going?