From the darkness of Hitler’s Europe to the lush mountains of New York’s Catskills, Four Seasons Lodge documents a community of survivors who come together each summer at their beloved bungalow colony to dance, cook, fight, flirt and celebrate their survival.
Beautifully photographed by a team of cinematographers incl. Albert Maysles
(Gimme Shelter, Grey Gardens) and Justin Schein (No Impact Man) this unexpectedly
funny film confronts sobering topics like aging, loss and the legacy of
the Holocaust, capturing the Lodgers’ intoxicating passion for life as
the fate of their colony hangs in the balance.
In an inspiring and startling story, a remarkable tribe whose members
are fast disappearing come together for one last summer in the Catskill
Mountains - they’re Holocaust Survivors with a captivating joie de vivre
and a bracing sense of humor.
Four Seasons Lodge is a counterintuitive film
tied to the Holocaust, one that captures the Lodgers' intoxicating passion
for living, in bracing contrast to lives harrowed by loss. The documentary
is about tightly bonded friendships and the quest for peace in spite of
haunting memories, as experienced through compelling people and the richness
of their intensely close lives.
This vivid, inspiring, and unexpectedly funny portrait reveals the indomitable spirit of a singular community.
“This is our revenge,” one camper explains. “To live this long, this well, is a victory.”
Learn more about The Lodgers
Download the Full Story as a PDF
"Gorgeously
photographed...the awesome spectacle of life triumphing over annihilation"
DVD Release with Special Bonus Features due out August, 2010. Join our list on the left, for updates, and to be one of the first to get the DVD. 03.09.09 FOUR SEASONS LODGE HAS BEEN PICKED UP BY TOP DISTRIBUTOR FIRST RUN FEATURES!
02.01.09 FOUR SEASONS wins the Audience Award at the Miami Jewish Film Festival - Closing out a run of festivals in Miami, Atlanta, Palm Beach, Poland, New Jersey, London, the Hamptons and the Bay Area, we're thrilled by audience response, and honored to take the award. Consistently, audience seems to be reacting to the film as a return to classic documentary and by literally (all clichés aside) laughing and crying.
Another bit of good news: Last month, FOUR SEASONS LODGE was honored
by a generous gift from the Righteous Persons Foundation, which will help
fund the education and outreach component of the film. To help support
efforts to create educational materials for students, click here. 07.05.08 INCREDIBLE MEDIA RESPONSE TO FOUR
SEASONS LODGE Premier at SILVERDOCS: From the Washington Times
to Fox News, Indiewire to Variety to The
Jewish Press, press is beginning to discover the film. The DC Fox
News affiliate took a special look at the film, running a segment the
night of our first premiere featuring one of the film's stars, Helga Grunberg
(who joined us for the premiere screening panel) and Andrew Jacobs. They
even did a "red carpet." Click
here to watch this excellent 2-minute segment. 04.17.07
Some of the Lodgers convene to talk about the upcoming summer. Their gathering
is filmed by Avi, with assistance by new intern-volunteer Dan Fridman. 04.15.07
Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day: Charles and Pola Swietarsky, from
the Lodge, Andrew Jacobs, and some of the crew, go out to Temple Beth
Shalom in Park Ridge, NJ, to talk about the project. The congregation
asks some amazingly inciteful and tough questions, Charles and Pola are
very moving. We're all grateful that outreach coordinator Amy Fiedel has
put this together. 03.18.07
We've been joined by more volunteers, helping us to log, transcribe and
make notes on our more than 200 hours of footage. 02.28.07
It's on! The Lodgers have been granted a reprieve, and will be returning
for one final summer, 2007! 02.12.07
The outreach efforts, especially thanks to our point person Amy Fiedel,
are going swimmingly well. Many orgs have forwarded info about the in-process
film, and three or four have invited us to come and show excerpts, bring
the Lodgers, and talk about the project. People seem to really want this
to happen, which is thrilling. We're talking with the Museum of Jewish
Heritage about doing an event, and local JCCs and Congregations have invited
the director to visit. It's an auspicious rolling-out of the project.
(THE NEW YORK TIMES)
"The funniest Holocaust-themed doc yet made, entertaining, beautiful, the ultimate revenge on Hitler"
(TIME OUT NY)
"Resonates powerfully... Surprisingly upbeat docu debut" (VARIETY)
"Surprising, joyous... inspirational in unexpected ways" (LOS ANGELES TIMES)
"MUST SEE" (Newsday)
"Surprising, graceful" (VILLAGE VOICE)
READ MORE REVIEWS
Jan. 5, 2010: Now playing at the Kew Gardens Cinema in NY, and at the Kimball Theatre in Williamsburg, VA -- And screenings begin this weekend at Symphony Space, New York; Miami, Lake Worth and Palm Beach, FL; and Teaneck, NJ. For more information, click here.
Amazing review in the L.A. Times.
12.07.09 After an extremely amazing 23-day
run in NYC, the film has finally closed there, to move on to other cities
and venues. It was great meeting so many folks, who asked great questions,
and shared their personal experiences. Now the film is moving on to L.A.
(the Laemmle Music
Hall in Beverly Hills and the Laemmle
Town Center in Encino) and Boston (the Coolidge
Corner) -- The film opens in both cities, all three theaters, on Dec.
11. Dir. Andrew Jacobs will be at select screenings in L.A. opening weekend,
and prod. Matt Lavine will be at select screenings in Boston the same
time. Check local listings for more info. We don't know how long the theaters
will hold the film fo so we urge you to go soon, and help us make sure
your friends, family and colleagues know about it before it's gone.
NYC RUN EXTENDED at
THE QUAD CINEMA, 34 W. 13 St. bet. 5th & 6th Ave., booked through Dec. 3rd
Outstandingly well-reviewed by the New York Times, the Village Voice, Time Out, Variety, and many more (click here for links to reviews).
Please help us get the word out about the film, and come to the theater this weekend to meet the filmmakers: six shows daily. Please repost this flier (select all + copy + paste) wherever you're able.
Launching in NYC on November 11! Full theater list here!,
The New York Times has posted the film's new trailer. Check it out.
09.20.09 FOUR
SEASONS LODGE set to begin its theatrical run with premiere at the
IFC CENTER in NYC, Nov. 11! Look for updates on special events at the
theater that whole week: meet the filmmakers, meet the lodgers, celebrate
with all of us at premier events. Please sign up on the mailing
list for updates. We're also looking for community organizations to
help get the word out. For more information on how groups can be involved,
click here. After
a stellar run in NYC, the film will go national! So help us bring these
positive, fully-realized people, this new spin on survival, out to the
rest of the country, to have a giant-sized impact.
08.02.09 Special screening and reception this week, Tuesday Aug. 4th,
in Washington, DC. For details go to the DCJCC
here, and keep track of our screenings
here, or via the link on the left.
07.03.09 So far, the film has been made entirely through incredibly generous
support from hundreds of individuals, and a dozen foundations. We're so
close to having what we need to complete the film, we need to do one more
set of layoffs, we're in the thick of negotiating music rights, and we
really want to hire an editor that can jump into cutting more of the 240
hours of footage not in the documentary, into bites for classroom use.
Then we'll have to work on outreach, to see the project fulfills its impact
potential. To complete the project, we need about 30k. To move forward
with DVD 'extra' that make the film useable for classrooms, and to do
outreach and so on, we need about an additional 40k. Every piece right
now counts tremendously. We've done the whole work through a 501(c)(3)
non-profit, the Four Seasons Project. Donations to support the project
can be given online (see the Make it Possible link), or by check.
07.01.09 Just did a successful screening at the Martha's Vineyard Hebrew
Center - between 60 and 100 people were expected, but the hall was packed
with 186 people. Strong Q&A.
06.22.09 We screened at the Provincetown Int'l Film Festival over this
past week - Both screenings went well - sold-out (the first screening
oversold, people standing at the back). It's a great festival. Matt went
to present the film, had a great time, saw many great films. NO
IMPACT MAN, by one of our filmmakers, cinematographer Justin
Schein, also screened in Ptown - the film is on the fest circuit and coming
soon to a theater near you.
05.15.09 We're on the lookout for fundraising potential. We're so close
to finishing the film, but definitely need some donations that will allow
us to do another set of layoffs, get out of debt, and jump into making
the DVD extras. We've got this far on donations and grants to the 501(c)(3)
Four Seasons Project non-profit, but we just need that extra push that
will let us launch the film into the world. Andrew and Matt will have
to do months of promotion and outreach - we need funding for phone calls.
And we feel strongly about making classroom-length-appropriate DVD 'extras.'
But to do that, to really share the rest of the campers' stories, we need
to hire an editor... So close, yet it feels like a big hurdle. Please
give by clicking on the "Make it Possible" link, or send a donation
to the office. Thanks.
Independent-film distributor First Run Features announced their acquisition of North-American rights to FOUR SEASONS LODGE. Soon we'll be able to announce the theatrical opening date and plans for the film to screen across the country!
Marc Mauceri, V.P. of First Run Features says, "FOUR SEASONS LODGE
is unique in that while it confronts weighty issues like aging and the legacy
of the Holocaust, it also is both life-affirming and uplifting. It's a
film we strongly believe in..”
You can read the
full press release here. The news has been picked up by news media,
including Reuters, The Hollywood
Reporter, MSNBC, Indiewire,
Newsday,
and more each day.
01.15.09 FOUR SEASONS is currently making plans to screen in more fests and special one-off screenings in the spring, including a screening at U.C. Santa Barbara on April 19, the Detroit Jewish Film Festival (May 4-7), and a special Yom Hashoah screening in Portland, Maine.
12.15.08 Producer Matt Lavine has returned from screening the film at the WATCHDOCS: Human Rights in Film Festival in Warsaw, Poland, and at the Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival. Audience attendance was really strong: in Warsaw the film nearly sold-out a 600-seat theater, and almost the whole audience stayed for a 40-min translated Q and A.
Matt was stunned by the power of the film on people - especially young people - for whom the War is still impactful. He'd also never quite realized how valuable the translation work was on the film. (The festival had created and inserted Polish titles for the English, Hebrew, Yiddish and German portions.) In Palm Beach, Matt was joined by some of the Lodgers - including Genya, the Cantor, and Ester Geizhals, for a moving discussion.
10.20.08 Hamptons Festival a Smashing Success
Rave Reviews. Sold-Out Screenings. Audience Ovations!
They laughed, they wept, they left the theater with an extra bounce in their step. FOUR SEASONS LODGE was an undisputed hit last weekend in the Hamptons, where the film quickly sold out two scheduled screenings and landed a third -- one of only a handful of 120 films to do so. Audiences stood up and cheered as the credits rolled -- even more so after our Saturday screening, when several of the film's subjects showed up to take a bow.
And it wasn't just audiences that loved FOUR SEASONS LODGE.
Newsday described it as a "must-see" film and the Hamptons media roundly praised the film. but here's a taste from the Independent, which said ...
"...the shiniest gem of the bunch may well be a little known documentary called Four Seasons Lodge... an uplifting, life-affirming piece that is thoroughly absorbing. There is an intricate drama built into the unscripted story that provides a bittersweet tension throughout ... The film is a subtle exploration of aging and death but also a celebration of life. Like many great films, the storyline twists and turns and comes to a surprising end. Make a point of seeing this film, it is a remarkable one."
Although we had some serious Hollywood competition, FOUR SEASONS LODGE generated unrivaled buzz among filmmakers and movie-goers alike.
Our splash at the Hamptons Film Festival followed an equally successful debut on the West Coast, where the previous week, we played to sold-out crowds at the Mill Valley Film Festival just across the bay from San Francisco.
One thing we've learned from all these screenings is that the film's appeal is unmistakably broad: audiences both Jewish and Gentile, young and old are falling in love with the Lodgers.
In the coming weeks, the roll-out continues, with screenings in London,
Palm Beach, Warsaw, Miami, Atlanta, New Brunswick and Boston. CLICK
HERE FOR A FESTIVAL SCHEDULE.
FOUR SEASONS LODGE MAKES NEW YORK DEBUT at HAMPTONS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
We're on' a roll! In the coming months FOUR SEASONS LODGE will premiere at a dozen festivals around the country, and the world. For those of you in the New York area, we'd love to see you in East Hampton, where the film will be featured at one of the country's most important showcases for independent and documentary movies. The film will screen at the United Artists Theater in East Hampton on Friday, Oct. 17 at 12 pm, and Saturday, Oct. 18 at 11 am. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO AND TO BUY TICKETS
Come meet the filmmakers and the remarkable subjects of the film. After Saturday's screening, join us for a post-screening bagels and lox reception, where we will celebrate the film's success and honor the Lodgers. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO AND TO BUY
TICKETS
09.19.08 FOUR SEASONS Makes Bay Area Debut
in October! The moving and unexpectedly joyous documentary will have its
West Coast premiere next month at the Mill Valley Film Festival, one of
the nation's preeminent showcases for independent and documentary movies.
The film will be screened on Oct. 11 and 12 in the rustic, redwood-shaded
town of Mill Valley, just minutes from the Golden Gate Bridge. [CLICK
HERE FOR MORE INFO AND TO BUY TICKETS]
These are exciting times for the film, which had a hugely successful
world premiere this summer in Washington D.C., where FOUR SEASONS LODGE
played to sold out audiences at the Silverdocs Festival. The press raved
(CLICK
HERE FOR FOX NEWS CLIP). The coming months will be just as thrilling,
with screenings at festivals around the country, and the world. Among the
stops are the London, Boston, New Jersey, Palm Beach and Miami. And more
dates will be announced soon! To make sure there's not an empty seat in
the house, please tell your friends, relatives and fellow congregants about
the film -- And be sure to meet the director after the screenings. CLICK
HERE FOR TICKETS.
Here are some other outstanding highlights:
“…packs more wisdom than the best therapy
session” Washington Times’ Christian Toto, wrote for
the Times and two affiliated blogs: "Four Seasons Lodge"
has its share of horrifying stories, but Jacobs honored the survivors
by focusing on their enthusiasm, not their tragic pasts.... most of the
lodge guests refuse to act their age.... living well remains their preferred
revenge.... These seniors are worth getting to know. They're lively, comical
and rarely do they share a cross word with one another…Let's hope the
movie finds a distributor soon. The documentary subjects deserve as big
an audience as possible.
“lands in a class of its own”
—Indiewire’s Eric Kohn, in his dispatch from Silverdocs wrote:
by emphasizing the ability of elderly folks to retain their vitality with
a strange sort of cosmically inspiring appreciation for shared experiences.
(When the camera happens upon a resident whose concentration camp life
included serving as a guinea pig for the experiments of the notorious
Nazi doctor Josef Mengele, he recalls with a shrug, "He liked me.")
“an essential document…”—SPOUT’s
Karina Longworth: thoroughly engaging both a tribute to the pain of
bearing witness and an embodiment of it. It's impossible to watch it and
not be acutely aware that there are only so many years left to get first-hand
accounts of Holocaust horrors on film.
“...wildly enthusiastic reception
at SILVERDOCS...”—Fest 21: a crowd-pleasing look…
These remarkable people, a collection of real "characters" are in their
final years and it is clear that once they pass, a vital link to the history
of what they witnessed threatens to be lost. The film's wildly enthusiastic
reception at SILVERDOCS promises an equally strong reaction from potential
distributors in the weeks ahead.
Erin Torneo at Variety even highlighted “Four Seasons Lodge”
as one of five films at Silverdocs “to revive ones faith in cinematic
storytelling.”
06.23.08 SILVERDOCS was a tremendous success
- two sold-out screenings - including one in the incredible 400-seat AFI
Silver Theatre 1, a magnificent venue. Really strong press support, including
pieces by the Washington Times and a segment on the DC Fox-affiliate!
Will post the press links shortly.
05.22.08 At long last Four Seasons Lodge is going to have its
WORLD
PREMIERE at the SILVERDOCS:
AFI/DISCOVERY CHANNEL DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL in the Washington,
DC, area. Screenings are on Tuesday,
June 17, at 6:15, and Sunday, June 22, at 5:30.
Silverdocs is a prestigious festival hosted by the American Film Institute,
and we couldn't be more proud. Click here
for more information, or to buy tickets. Please come and join us,
for a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see the world premiere and meet the
filmmakers and explore the subject.
On the night of the 17th, the film will be immediately followed by a panel
discussion in the theatre, with the director, a couple of the Lodgers,
and more special guests. On the 22nd, the filmmakers will be on hand for
a post-screening Q&A. If you have friends in the vicinity, please
let them know. If you can suggest any organizations in the greater
D.C. or Baltimore area that you think we might invite, please let
us know. Thanks!
05.12.08 FSL has been invited by the Boston
Jewish FIlm Festival to do their Work-In-Progress Screening on the
evening of June 11th. As it's a prestigious festival, we feel honored.
For more information, and to inquire about tickets, click
here.
04.16.08 Kelly Sheehan, Executive Producer, shared the roughcut of the
film to Andrew Levy's class at CUNY Queensboro College, who, according
the professor, have rarely if ever been so enthusiastic about a film.
The universiality of the film's themes - tackling the very American experience
of creating your own family, and how meaningful it is to have community,
seem to, at long last, be leaping off the screen. The young people (most
of whom are about 20-years-old) really loved the music and the party scenes,
and anumber expressed their desire to have that kind of life when they're
older. It was very exciting, and was quite helpful in terms of the edit
process, to know which elements are clicking and which need some honing.
02.15.08 Amazing news: In an act of incredible generosity and faith, the
Rosenthal Charitable Trust, on behalf of Monica and Philip Rosethal, has
made a contribution to the film which vastly narrows our need for completion
funding. We're almost there! It's difficult to find the words to properly
express our gratitude, and our appreciation for so much faith shown by
so many people, in the project.
01.11.08 As the film is in solid rough-cut work-in-progress stage, we've
begun submitting to festivals, and sharing with a close circle of friends,
to garner feedback; which, so far, is incredible.
10.9.07 Four Seasons Project is thrilled to have been recognized as one
of the 50 most innovative Jewish nonprofits in North America, in the just-published
Slingshot 07.08. (more
below...)
Slingshot is a guidebook
and catalyst for next-generation funding, published by 21/64,
a nonprofit consulting division of The Andrea and Charles Bronfman Philanthropies.
Each year, 50 of the most innovative organizations from the U.S. and Canada
make the cut after an extensive evaluation process overseen by 25 foundation
professionals. Four Seasons is honored to be selected by such an inspired
project.
10.4.07 Plans for our Oct. 28 screening of selects from the rough cut
in Forest Hills have solidified. There's a great group out there, many
of whom were Catskills vacationers themselves, and many of whom are survivors.
It should be a really intense experience.
07.26.07 We've tripled our efforts to finely detail, log and transcribe,
to completion, every potentially essential bit of the 225 tapes. Some
segments are going to out-of -house transcribers, which pushes our budget
line a bit, but more support continues to come in, and most of the work
is done in-house, with our incredibly overly-qualified post-production
assistant volunteers, with whom we've mapped out some new strategies.
07.24.07 We held an internal screening of about four hours of roughly
assembled material, and broke out into a serious writing conversation.
The themes of the work emerge stronger and stronger, and we can see all
the pieces coming together.
07.20.07 We will be working with some friends at another non-profit, to
oversee the development and publishing of the curricular materials that
will accompany the film. A good number of educators from around the country
have offered their experience and wisdom, and we will be reaching out
to them to coordinate efforts, beginning in a few weeks.
07.12.07 Amazing news: The Foundation for Jewish Culture's Fund for Jewish
Documentary Filmmaking has just announced that we are receiving one of
their completion grants this year - a whole $25,000 - which means that,
as it comes in, we've broken the halfway mark on funding to complete the
film! Thanks so much to all your support and belief - people have really
entrusted us, and believe in the potential of the film.
07.2.07 As the Lodge has a bit of an undetermined future, the Lodgers
have returned for one last final summer, this past weekend... And director
Andrew, with Avi on camera, and post-production assistants Dan and Stephanie
on second camera, sound, and general support, also went up. We're doing
quick pick-up shoots, now that we have the opportunity to think about
the edit, and what elements we need to fill in. Avi, Andrew, Dan and Alana
will go up for one Saturday (and one party), this coming weekend.
06.23.07 Major funding continues to come in, making the film work possible.
Though the budget has crept up slightly, recent funding from the Hartley
Film Foundation, the Lily Auchincloss Foundation, Kathi and Peter Arnow,
and Ralph Marash, is allowing us to move forward, full-steam ahead. You
can see a full list of our major funders by
clicking here.
06.15.07 We've brought in some help to translate the Polish and Yiddish
conversation in the raw material, provided by some great folks, for a
token remuneration.
05.25.07 Our May 22nd fundraiser was a huge success - thanks to all of
you, and to our incredible and intrepid interns and volunteers, who went
above and beyond to make the evening a success. We raised $7,851 from
the event, and $17,851, if you count the grant from the Auchincloss discretionary
fund that was inspired by the night, and a matching grant from the Rosenwald
Foundation.
Join Us for a cocktail reception to benefit
"Four Seasons Lodge"
A documentary in post-production
Tuesday May 22, 2007
6:30 - 8:30 PM
Sara Meltzer Gallery
525-531 W 26th Street NYC
Selections from the film will be shown.
All contributions will be acknowledged in the credits of the film:
Special Thanks: $25+
Friends of the film: $100+
Funders: $1,000+
Major Funders: $10,000+
RSVP to: 646.723.4559 or StephanieH@fourseasonsmovie.org
Musical performance by composer Eric Lewis.
Drinks courtesy of 44 North, Shango Rum, and XS Energy Drink.
Hors D'Oeuvre by Chef Rich Sullivan of Louie's Westside Cafe.
01.26.07
We've got a rough-cut of the six-minute trailer. It looks beautiful. Rainlake
is taking it to Realscreen to show it around.
01.7.07
Interviews with editors continue.
12.20.06 Donations continue to trickle in, which keeps our forward motion
going. We're putting out the word that we're looking for an editor, and
placing notices with colleges that we're looking for interns. One piece
of our editing strategy is to break all the pieces of tape down into logged
segments - which creates opportunity for interns to learn editing, and
creates a need for interns. We're also trying to transcribe many of our
200+ hours. We've more formalized our relationship with Kelly Sheehan,
who's on board as an Executive Producer to help us fundraise. Kelly's
expertise includes reaching out to grantors and foundations. At her suggestion,
we've posted a listing for an Outreach Intern.
12.8.06
We've begun editing our trailer! This is very exciting - not only will
it be a pivotal tool for fundraising and getting word out about the film,
it's also the first chance for us to delve more deeply into what the film
is about.
12.3.06
We've brought Associate Producer Elyssa Hess into the fold, full-time.
Elyssa brings a lot of experience studying and working in post in college,
and were happy she can apply that knowledge to our 200+ hours of tapes.
We've expanded our volunteer/intern pool to include Martin Rajec and Boon
Fox. And we're looking to see if we can have another fundraiser. We've
been getting advice from funders and fundraisers. Meanwhile, as we parse
the footage we're also conceiving an Education Plan. We know this doc
will be great for students, and want to be sure we have the right materials,
and the right partners to develop those materials.
11.30.06
We re-cut our Selects from the Work-in-Progress, and it looks beautiful.
Additionally, we've just held a fundraiser (thank Steven Rubenstein for
lending us his home). We got to unveil the piece of work we've done, and
response was really satisfying. Even with this one fragment, people seem
to get into it. Very inspiring. Additionally, Hymie Abromowitz (a prominent
lodger, and piece of the doc) came to the screening, and everyone was
excited to meet him. Even Albert Maysles came to the event - So that was
a success. We really have to thank Karen Ching for volunteering to put
the whole thing together. She has an amazing skill at handling events.
10.2.06
Our Work-In-Progress Selects Preview is finally ready to go public (after
two intense weeks of writing and cutting with new Assistant Editor Vicky).
Check out the link.
10.1.06
Tony Kushner officially endorses the project by joining our Advisory
Board!
09.8.06
The Times-Record Herald publishes
great articles on both the Lodgers and the film.
09.6.06
We move in with Rainlake
Films, as they take on some responsibilities for producing the film
in association with us. Rainlake is an incredible crew. The production
office is now located at 106 Franklin St., 3rd floor, NYC, 10013. We unpack
all our footage, and begin to digitize and make dubs. This project is
going to be so incredible and intense. We have over 200 hours of material
to work from. We're attempting to put together a trailer and rough clips
sequence in the next few weeks.
09.23.06
The last day at the Lodge - it's really strange. Tearful goodbyes.
09.22.06
The last party at the Four Seasons Lodge is emotional - Will this be their
last party together? Deli meats are served, arranged beautifully on the
platters (the Lodgers prepare the meals and the hall together). The performer
is very lounge, he has an incredible voice. Just about everyone dances,
including Hymie. Hymie also reads a poem, in Yiddish, summoning up all
their years together. We've brought up two cameramen, to capture as much
as we can. It's incredibly cold out - it rains all weekend again. Nature
seems to agree that this is a sad occasion, and summer is ending all too
abruptly.
Earlier on Saturday, Justin and Matt sit in on the Shabbat service in
the Shul. We find ourselves wondering about faith, religion and community.
Both make some efforts to follow the prayers - though they're read at
a rapid clip. At the Saturday lunch, Hymie passes out a poem for the new
year.
08.28 - 29.06
Albert Maysles returns to shoot at Four Seasons, has an incredible time.
The crew is moved by his amazing stories.
09.27.06
With the Lodgers support - Avi, under the direction of Jacobs, films a
sequence of them playing cards, focusing on their tattoos. We're grateful
to be working with people who so readily open up their lives to us.
08.17.06
Two new filmmakers have joined the Advisory
Board - and are offering their support and advice. Donations continue
to trickle in. We begin asking people to help us put together a fundraising
committee.
Aug. '06:
NEXTBOOK READER ("A Gateway to Jewish Literature, Culture & Ideas") has
written us up on their site.
07.31 - 08.06.06
Avi Kostoriano is filming at the Lodge, the first four days by himself.
Avi is from Israel, and the Lodgers really take to him. He's invited in
for soup, lunches and dinners. One thing we don't have to worry about
much on location is food.
07.16.06
Everyone who's gone up to meet the folks at the Lodge (including back-up
sound guy Dan Izens) have been incredibly moved. There's something about
their perspective - it's inexplicable. It's a profoundly warm-hearted,
but sharp, pragmatic optimism. It's a good thing we're making a documentary,
and can show them, because it's incredibly hard to relate in text.
July:
Filmmaker Magazine has written up the project in their Summer issue. It's
gratifying to see this kind of support and attention. We're beginning
to feel that people in the film world realize this is a story that hasn't
been told before. We're also talking with Rainlake Films about forming
some kind of partnership to share the production. They're very strong
in post-production, and have done some solid films. We've begun looking
at the first of the footage, now transfered to VHS, and we begin to see
themes.
07.1 - 07.4.06
Our first full season shoot begins, with Maestro Albert Maysles, returning
from a visit to Haiti just the previous day. Al is in fine form along
with the rest of the crew... Highlights of the weekend include Saturday
night at the Casino, in which folks get dressed up, dine, and then dance
to live entertainment from a band and Russian torch singer Irina Fogelson.
The men break briefly to attend Schul. The crew also captures the town
of Ellenville's 4th of July festivities aided by Four Seasons Lodger Sam;
nightly card games, and colorful conversations unfolding on the balmy
lawns of the Four Seasons.
06.17.06
Andrew J and cameraman Avi Kastoriano film Helga Grunberg and her daughter(s)
in Queens and then head up to the Lodge for a day of reminiscence about
the place over the years. Helga is grief-stricken that the Lodge has been
sold and decided to rent her place out this last summer.
04.06 - 06.06
Justin S., Andrew F., Avi, Todd and Christian shoot numerous preliminary
background interviews of Four Seasons Lodgers, including Joe Fox, Esther
Geizhals and companion Sydney, Charles and Pola Swietarski, and Victor
and Regina Lewis. The interviews are shot in peoples' year-round homes
around the NY metro area. They provide an insightful and fascinating look
at the survivors' stories and post-war lives, in contrast to footage being
shot over the summer, which will be more aimed at capturing the day in
and day out events, and the summer rhythm, of life at the Four Seasons
Lodge.
05.9.06
Hymie and Carl open up the Lodge: dealing with plumbing, electricity,
leaks. The filmmakers can feel its history, and realize that the place
itself has an amazing character.
03.23 - 03.24.06
Andrew J. and Justin S. spend two days down in Miami recording the stories
of two Four Seasons longtimers, Anita Skorecky and Helga Gruenberg, in
and around their homes.
03.9.06
Flights are being booked, arrangements made for Andrew J. and Justin .
03.1.06
Funding requests have begun to go out. For more information,
click here
01.06.06
Albert Maysles comes on board as Director of Photography: On January 2nd,
coproducer Matthew Pond and director Andrew Jacobs met with Mr. Maysles
to discuss his involvement. The award-winning cinematographer is really
excited about the project, and meeting the folks at the Four Seasons Lodge.
To learn more,
click here