Summary: In the wake of NAFTA, a family of woolen mill workers in Maine salvages their livelihoods by returning the industry of yarn-making to the home.
Tennis ball fuzz. Spaghetti strings of yarn. Puffs of wool flying out of the old machinery that look like angels, snow, and poodles. Mrs. Marchelletta is a poet of the old woolen mills of Maine and Rupa Marya catches that poetry so well. As a country, we heard about NAFTA coming and about NAFTA being here, but we rarely hear about after NAFTA. This heartwrenching, heartwarming piece is about after NAFTA on a personal basis from the viewpoint of the Marchelletta family. My only question in this otherwise perfect, soundrich piece is where does the wool come from that the Marchelletta mill uses? I ask this because we have a flock of Suffolk sheep on our acreage here in southwest Oklahoma and I just wondered where the wool came from that was used for the tennis balls.
This piece seamlessly combines a political statement and a family portrait. The characters, especially the matriarch, are well-developed and engaging. Their struggle against a globalized market is not painted in maudlin tones, nor is it made to seem overly optimistic – Marya lets both their worries and their strength of spirit come through clearly. The sound is textured and small touches, like the smoking of a cigarette or a cup of coffee being poured, give vivid account of a day spent with the Marchellattas.
Patience and faith--in radio that is-- are essential in order for you to fully appreciate this piece as it betrays the conventional expectations of a hard feature. This piece is almost impressionistic as the interviewee becomes the narrator. As your guide, the matriarch Ruth Marchellatta walks you through the family business, the decay of Maine's economy AND she offers you a cup of coffee! ( What more could you want out of a radio piece?)
Listener beware: you'll have to monitor your glycemic index as this piece is full of ear candy: wonderful voices, the intoxicating sound of percolating coffee and the noirish appeal of Ruth lighting a cigarette.
When to air this? During "All Things Considered" or "Morning Edition" or wherever you can spare seven minutes and one second. Given the presidential election's nonstop discussions about jobs, the economy and NAFTA , this is a supremely relevant piece.--Chelsea Merz
Comments for A Family Yarn
Produced by Rupa Marya
Other pieces by Rupa Marya
Rating Summary
3 comments
Deborah Astley
Posted on May 16, 2005 at 12:23 PM | Permalink
Review of A Family Yarn
Tennis ball fuzz. Spaghetti strings of yarn. Puffs of wool flying out of the old machinery that look like angels, snow, and poodles. Mrs. Marchelletta is a poet of the old woolen mills of Maine and Rupa Marya catches that poetry so well. As a country, we heard about NAFTA coming and about NAFTA being here, but we rarely hear about after NAFTA. This heartwrenching, heartwarming piece is about after NAFTA on a personal basis from the viewpoint of the Marchelletta family. My only question in this otherwise perfect, soundrich piece is where does the wool come from that the Marchelletta mill uses? I ask this because we have a flock of Suffolk sheep on our acreage here in southwest Oklahoma and I just wondered where the wool came from that was used for the tennis balls.
Anna Goldman
Posted on July 01, 2004 at 08:51 AM | Permalink
Review of A Family Yarn
This piece seamlessly combines a political statement and a family portrait. The characters, especially the matriarch, are well-developed and engaging. Their struggle against a globalized market is not painted in maudlin tones, nor is it made to seem overly optimistic – Marya lets both their worries and their strength of spirit come through clearly. The sound is textured and small touches, like the smoking of a cigarette or a cup of coffee being poured, give vivid account of a day spent with the Marchellattas.
Transom Editors
Posted on March 04, 2004 at 06:06 AM | Permalink
Review of A Family Yarn
Patience and faith--in radio that is-- are essential in order for you to fully appreciate this piece as it betrays the conventional expectations of a hard feature. This piece is almost impressionistic as the interviewee becomes the narrator. As your guide, the matriarch Ruth Marchellatta walks you through the family business, the decay of Maine's economy AND she offers you a cup of coffee! ( What more could you want out of a radio piece?)
Listener beware: you'll have to monitor your glycemic index as this piece is full of ear candy: wonderful voices, the intoxicating sound of percolating coffee and the noirish appeal of Ruth lighting a cigarette.
When to air this? During "All Things Considered" or "Morning Edition" or wherever you can spare seven minutes and one second. Given the presidential election's nonstop discussions about jobs, the economy and NAFTA , this is a supremely relevant piece.--Chelsea Merz