the thirties grind

Let’s hear it for the boys!! Modern dads are kicking serious parenting ass: new documentary film takes us into the lives of 7 contemporary fathers.

First off I’m going to start by saying that my husband is likely the best dad on the face of the planet.  Really and truly, he is a hands-on, present, and nurturing father.  Okay…I’m obviously biased, and I’m certain there are more dads like him out there.  The Sound Films (in association with Tabula Dada) was pretty certain of this, too.  Their documentary film, DADS explores the role of the modern father.  In the words of director/producer/editor, Dave Rees, “…contemporary men simply have different priorities.”

With Father’s Day coming up this weekend, I thought it would be appropriate to tell you about this film, which my family is proud to be a part of.  Last spring, my husband (David Quinlan) was one of many men who submitted their story about what being a father meant to them. He was selected as one of the seven dads the film is based around (2 dads in London, 2 in NYC and 3 in Vancouver).  In the months that followed, we opened up our lives via a video diary kept by David.  The other dads did the same.  The film that resulted is, in my humble opinion, both important and touching.  To me it was revolutionary to see dads being so open, so honest and so committed to their truth in terms of what being a father truly is.  Dave Rees told me why he felt the video diary format was so powerful:

The honesty and raw emotion in the footage I received was extremely moving, I don’t think if we would have sent along a film crew out with these guys that we would get the same raw emotion.  We have done a few private screenings of the film in London, New York and Vancouver and the response is nothing short of amazing, this film is so relatable to so many people and seems to have a very profound effect on the audiences who have seen it.

There is definitely a shift happening in our culture where dads are taking on a greater role in the rearing of their children.  Rees explains this by noting that today

…Dads and Moms are truly equal – social economic changes have flattened parenthood….(modern Men) understand the breadth and depth of what being a father truly entails.  They know that it is as much about being emotionally present as it is about being fiscally responsible.  They choose to father differently than previous generations… and don’t feel that they deserve any special attention for it either, (it’s) just a part of being a parent.

I agree.  In our house we are both “in charge” of our kids.  We make decisions together.  There’s none of this archaic “I’m putting my feet up, you deal with the kids.”  I don’t think that this is just because women expect fathers to be involved (…don’t get me wrong – we do!).  However, I also think it is because fathers today want to be involved.  Rarely, will you hear a dad refuse to change a diaper, help make dinner, discipline an unruly toddler or soothe a colicky baby.  Those that detach themselves from the actual “parenting” part of being a parent are now the minority.

Next up for the film?  Rees says the goal is to release it internationally and enter it into film festivals.   He feels “…it is important for us have DADS seen by as many people as possible.”

I couldn’t agree more.

Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there!

A preview of DADS can be seen here:

http://player.vimeo.com/video/43935263?color=ff9933