Susan Harmon is a West Seattle psychic and spiritual healer whose ambitions have led her in many directions, including political activism and community involvement. But her psychic abilities were what led her to form a network of like minded individuals she called the Emerald Sprial that opened a physical location on California Avenue that the Herald profiled in 2010. While that storefront closed last year for a number of reasons, Harmon managed to snag the interest of documentary film maker Joe Garner.
Harmon said, "Over 3 1/2 years ago, a few months after Emerald Spiral opened in 2008, we placed an ad on Craigsist for artists. Joe Garner answered our ad as part of making his documentary, CRAIGSLIST JOE. The documentary is from Executive Producer Zach Galifianakis
"The film is an amazing project that asks the question does technology separate us or can it be a means to build community?"
Using only his laptop and Craigslist with no money to get food, shelter and transportation Garner traveled from LA to Seattle to New York and back to LA in December of 2008 stopping in San Francisco and interviewing Craig of Craigslist.
In the film Garner comes to visit Emerald Spiral and Harmon performs a ritual with him seated under a copper tube pyramid, surrounded by crystals. Garner also stayed at Harmon's home and was given rides around the area by Harmon's daughter Rachel. While in Seattle Garner also visited with children whose parents were incarcerated and had dinner with an Iraqi family and discussed their experiences have been since 9/11.
"Also, I saved his life basically," Harmon said laughing. He had answered an ad from a guy in Portland who lived in Vermont and they were going to drive back in December of 2008. "He said, 'I've got a ride all the way to New York and we're going to take Highway 2' and I said 'No you're not' he said, 'What's the worst that could happen?' so I said, 'You could die.' " This exchange is in the documentary.
On Tuesday, August 7, 2012, Craigslist Joe will be shown in Seattle at SIFF Cinema Uptown 511 Queen Anne Ave N 98109 at 7:30. There will be a Q&A afterwards with the director, Joe Garner. Tickets are available online.
Harmon said, "I hope you will treat yourself to seeing this movie that speaks of the human spirit’s eternal striving for community and compassion. Please tell others about it not just because it is truly a well done film, but because it has such a positive message."
You can also watch the film on iTunes or on demand.
You can learn more about the film and interact with the producers via the Facebook page.
