I love watching documentaries. Especially, about interesting people. The other night I watched
The Parking Lot Movie and I really enjoyed it. The group of guys the film focuses on is a unique one. Just because they work at a parking lot doesn't mean they aren't creative or smart, or even a contributing part of society, which they are. Each one has a voice and they surely use it on a daily basis. Dealing with people as they enter and leave the lot can be stressful and downright annoying after awhile. I give them a lot of credit.
The Corner Parking Lot is where the film takes place. It's located in Charlottesville, Virginia close to the University of Virginia. So you can imagine the type of people they deal with on a daily basis. College towns are not my cup of tea and I can imagine the kids that come out at night don't make the attendants job any easier. From yelling and being rowdy to breaking the wood gates, you can see why nighttime would make anyone want to pull their hair out.
"I am not a violent man but I did once swing a leadpipe at someone."
~ Tyler Magill
Attendant Patrick Baran
The main message of the film is the interaction between the attendants and society as well as with each other. It seems as if they are a brotherhood of know it alls who really know it all. In a world of rude and disrespectful people, often the lot's customers, the attendants try to find some freedom in what has become the American culture. They speak of truth and express their opinions with full honesty and bring forth a discussion of what society has turned into. What is the fine line between status and class?
Owner Chris Farina
"In the parking lot we were dynamos. Whirlwinds. We were rulers. We had complete autonomy. We had it all in a world that had nothing to offer us."
~ Scott Meiggs
Attendant Tyler Magill
The car issue comes up as well, as you would expect. One attendant talks about the change people undergo when they are in their cars. For example, you don't go walking around flipping people off but when you are in your car you do. There is a sense of rage that comes alongside being a driver, as well as a passenger. What have cars done to us? Then you have the people who drive huge SUVs and ridiculously large vehicles who think they own the road. Most often you will find a woman behind the wheel who doesn't even know how to drive the damn thing.
It's incredible the way people treat the attendants. Not that they get treated like shit everyday but there are those moments when people fight about the fees or even try to drive right past them without paying. The funny thing is, they don't know what they are in for. The guys who are on shift will do what they have to do to get paid and bring justice to the lot. If that means chasing the car down, getting in the customers face or recording the license plate for future torture, than so be it. I have to say, it is one really awesome group of guys.
"Basically when people would drive out without paying, the switch would flip in my head then it was just total bloodlust. There was no rational thought anymore. The next thing you know I would end up hanging onto some guy's shirt. And that was when I realized I had a problem with anger."
~ John Lindaman
Attendant Nate Millington
I highly recommend this film to anyone interested in social interaction. At the end of the film, even I wanted to work at the friggin parking lot. I was unexpectedly mesmerized by the guys that worked there and would love to hang with them. Within the group are artists, anthropologists, philosophers, musicians and even professors. And yes, some middle aged slackers. But all in all, an interesting bunch to say the least. Plus, the soundtrack is awesome as well.
Although they are all really cool, my favorite attendants are:
Gray Morris
John Lindaman
Mark Schottinger
Tyler Magill
Corey Gross
