OXFORD FILM FESTIVAL

by Shawn and Leslie Morton

Nobody

A Film by Alan Spearman and Lance Murphey

Have you ever encountered someone less fortunate on the street and wondered, “How did they get into such a situation?”  In the film Nobody, we see the journey of Jerry Bell, a man who walked away from his normal life in search of something simpler.  The film opens with Jerry canoeing down river on a journey to New Orleans.  Jerry explains the reasons for him shucking his old lifestyle and embracing the river as his “new bride.”  The film captivates the audience from beginning to end with its amazing cinematography and gripping story of Jerry’s life experiences and travels.  Jerry makes close friendships along the way and experiences harsh tragedy such as the death of his son.  All in all, this film not only highlights the struggles of a vagabond but also delves into why a “normal” individual would leave their life behind for such a starkly different one.  This is definitely a film not to be missed.

We had a chance to catch up with the filmmakers, Alan Spearman and Lance Murphey, after the screening of Nobody.  The filmmakers both work as photographers for the Clarion-Ledger newspaper in Memphis, TN and had originally set out to write a piece about the Mississippi river when the Memphis Coast Guard contacted them about Jerry.  The Coast Guard had promised to contact the filmmakers if anything interesting was ever spotted floating down river, and Jerry just happened to be just that!  Jerry’s inflatable canoe had gotten a tear before he came upon the Coast Guard station, and he went ashore to ask for some assistance.  The filmmakers set down to interview Jerry and found that he was a kind and friendly man who had a very interesting story to tell about his path in life.  The filmmakers decided that Jerry Bell had a moving, unique story to tell and set about documenting his life for the next five years.

Speaking with Jerry Bell, one quickly finds that he is a gentle, kind individual with an outgoing personality.  Jerry is a very humble person who was genuinely awestruck that the story of his travels on the river made it to the big screen.  Jerry explained that he indeed completed his trip down the river to New Orleans, lived near Biloxi, MS for a time, and then returned to Memphis after experiencing Hurricane Katrina.  Jerry now lives and works in Memphis, TN at a local carriage house.  He assisted in coordinating holiday meals for those less fortunate in the Memphis area.  Jerry continues to lead a humble, simple lifestyle but enjoys how the film has affected his life.  Jerry explained that he and the filmmakers have traveled to many independent film festivals to promote the film, and he also had an appearance on the Dr. Phil talk show where he was reunited with his estranged daughter.

If you get the chance to see Nobody, make sure that you do so.  The film is an excellent story about friendship, hardship, and a simplistic lifestyle that most individuals only dream about living.  In a society where we often concern ourselves with material possessions, Nobody highlights how true content can be achieved without such things. 

Check out www.nobodythefilm.com for more information about Alan Spearman, Lance Murphey, Jerry Bell, as well as upcoming screenings of the film.