printable versionjuly 2011

IT IS THE HARTLEY FILM FOUNDATION’S MISSION TO PRODUCE, CULTIVATE, SUPPORT AND DISTRIBUTE THE VERY BEST DOCUMENTARIES

ON WORLD RELIGIONS AND SPIRITUALITY.

hartley film foundation news

on shiftinG GroundAward-winning co-directors of Hiding and Seeking Menachem Daum and Oren Rudavsky team up for a sequel en-titled On Shifting Ground. The new film in production follows Daum, an Orthodox Jewish grandfather from Brooklyn, as he sets out to restore an overgrown Muslim cemetery in the ruins of the Arab village of Lifta. Daum’s uncle was a member of the Stern Gang militia that entered Lifta’s coffeehouse in late 1947, killed six innocent patrons, and terrorized more than 2,500 villagers into becoming refugees.

Daum initially seeks the blessings of the elders of the Lifta refugee community to restore the cemetery, only to discover that they are not interested in the symbolism of caring for their ancestral burial ground. They want Lifta itself. Filming of On Shifting Ground focuses on the filmmakers’ continuing efforts to ensure that Lifta’s haunting beauty is preserved as a place of memory, reflection, respect and, hopefully, reconciliation. Go to http://hartleyfoundation.org/en/common-ground for details.

the truth will set you freeAt pivotal moments in history the fate of millions rests on the shoulders of a few. Reveal Productions is in the final stage of editing The Truth Will Set You Free (working title), the moving story of Bishop Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop of Christendom, and selected other individuals caught up in the church/state battles for LGBT equality. Bishop

menachem daum oren rudavsky

on shiftinG Ground

the truth will set you free

my reincarnation

between two worlds

the psalm of howard thurman

one without a second

outside the box

Gethsemane film project

one in a billion

stories of reliGion and justiceClick on images to go directly to films

Robinson’s historic elevation by the Episcopal Church in America seven years ago caused a seismic rift within the international Anglican Communion and his influence is felt in daily ways both locally and globally. The Truth Will Set You Free follows Bishop Robinson from meetings with his New Hampshire constituents to the Lincoln Memorial at Barack Obama’s inauguration, in the face of frequent death threats to himself and

his family. Film director Macky Alston, a member of Hartley’s Board of Directors, and Producer Sandra Itkoff have received support for The Truth Will Set You Free from the Ford Foundation, ITVS and the Fledgling Fund for both production and a com-munity engagement campaign. They have also developed a web-based application in collaboration with and through the support of the Bay Area Video Coalition. This Website will be released in concert with the film’s release and is designed to help LGBT individuals in their relationships with their conflicted loved ones. The filmmakers are aiming for film completion by November 2011. For more information, go to http://hartleyfoundation.org/en/truth-will-set-you-free.

my reincarnationFilmmaker Jennifer Fox just landed back in the states following a 9-month international tour for her documentary My Reincarnation. Next on Jennifer’s agenda: a US theatrical campaign. My Reincarna-tion centers on an epic father and son story about the importance of Tibetan spiritual heritage. Jennifer shadowed the high Tibetan master Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche and his Italian-born son Yeshi for 20 years as the film’s narrative unfolded. My Reincarnation tells the inside story of one of the last reincarnate teachers to be trained in Tibet and of the Rinpoche’s son’s stubborn reluctance to accept the destiny he was assigned at birth. Yeshi dreamed of a normal life away from the hordes of

devotees that always surrounded his father. As the story progresses, we see Yeshi mature from 18 to 38 years of age and Rinpoche pass from his 50-year-old prime to a 70-year-old in poor health. Their evolving lives give My Reincarnation the scope and depth of great drama. For more, see http://hartleyfoundation.org/en/learning-to-swim.

between two worldsBetween Two Worlds is a personal essay film involving five stories that reveal the passionate debates over identity and generational change inside today’s American Jewish com-munity. Alan Snitow and Deborah Kaufman shot footage for three years throughout the US and Israel to ex-plore divisions within the Jewish com-munity that are redefining American

Jewish identify and politics. Through the lens of their own families, they reveal what can happen when tribal loyalties are pushed to the breaking point. You will also delight in meeting dueling rabbis and a new generation of dynamic Jewish leaders. Frank, funny and in-sightful, Between Two Worlds just arrived in theaters! Go to http://hartleyfoundation.org/en/discontinuity.

jennifer fox

namkhai norbu rinpoche (left) and his son yeshi (right)

alan snitow and deborah kaufman

macky alston sandra itkoff

the psalm of howard thurmanThe Psalm of Howard Thurman is the first feature-length documentary produced on the life and wisdom of one of the nation’s greatest spiritual treasures, Howard Thurman (1899-1981). Thurman established the nation’s first interra-cial, intercultural and interfaith congregation, and advocated tirelessly for community among disparate races and faiths. He collaborated with religious leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, and played an inspirational and pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement. Director Arleigh Prelow is targeting completion of the documentary for September. Her cap-turing of Thurman’s life, like a psalm, aspires to be a lyrical work. For more, see: http://hartleyfoundation.org/en/howard-thurman.

one without a secondEvery individual confronts fundamental questions about the nature of reality, self-identity and the pursuit of elusive happiness, yet few make these their life’s goal. One With-out a Second is a journey into the lives of a small group of students who travel to an ashram in a remote area of southern India to study under Swami Dayananda Saras-wati, who has captivated seekers from India to Pennsyl-vania to Oman. Dayananda deftly weaves sophisticated philosophical concepts and methods for discovering emo-tional maturity with storytelling, humor, and insights into

pop culture. One Without a Second captures Dayananda as he unfolds the teachings of Advaita Vedanta, the Indian philosophical tradition of non-duality. Filmmakers Jillian Eliza-beth and Neil Dalal also follow Dayananda’s students as they navigate the austere intensity of monastic life and discover the core wisdom of his teachings. One Without a Second is currently in post-production and seasoned editor Mary Lampson is closely working with Elizabeth and Dalal to craft the rough cut of the film. The story at: http://hartleyfoundation.org/en/one-without-second.

outside the boxDirector Lacey Schwartz was born to two white Jewish parents, or thought she was until the age of 18. She dis- covered that her biological father was not the white Jewish man who raised her, but a black man with whom her mother had had an affair. Lacey lived the next ten years of her life trying to come to terms with her identity as a black Jew, without openly discussing her new lineage with any family member. In Outside the Box Lacey tells her story, a story about the power of secrets, denial, and redemption. The documentary is currently in screenings along with a multimedia project consisting of a moving art installation, educational discussion groups, and an interactive website geared towards inspiring dialogue about identity and race in 21st-century America. Next, Schwartz intends to interview cultural icons such as Maya Rudolph and Malcolm Gladwell about how their identities formed and remain “outside the box.” Go to http://hartleyfoundation.org/en/outside-box for more.

jillian elizabeth and neil dalal

lacey schwartz

arleigh prelow

Gethsemane film projectIsaac Solotaroff recently com-pleted shooting for the Geth-semane Film Project (working title), about an unlikely Pres-byterian church in Brooklyn; a church run by and for prisoners and ex-prisoners and indi-viduals who choose to be in a faith community with them. This is not about soup kitchens in the basement, but about prisoners and ex-prisoners who often serve as elders actively shaping the life of the church. Viewers will meet several church members including Anthony, who walked out of prison after 22 years of incarceration. Pro-ducer Margaret Eaton and director Solotaroff hope that Gethsemane’s story will inspire other churches to go beyond charity and find ways to include more poor and marginalized people in their pews. For further details: http://hartleyfoundation.org/en/gethsemane-film-project.

one in a billionSister and brother team Ravi and Geeta Patel, directors of One in a Billion, are closing in on a rough cut of their comedic documentary about arranged marriages in the Hindu community in the U.S.A. Geeta follows Ravi as he wrestles with his American upbringing, his dawning desire to seek an arranged marriage, and his parents’ efforts to send him around the country to meet potential Hindu wives. One in a Billion was previewed in NY for a diversity program

sponsored by the Tribeca Film Festival and Goldman Sachs. Geeta and Ravi just completed an edit with 2011 Sundance Editing Award winner Matthew Hamachek. They garnered financing and support from Impact Partners, who will be coming on for their theatrical ver-sion, and are also working with Rick Rosenthal and his company Whitewater Films, who donated an editing room, a grant, and tons of support. They hope to complete One in a Billion by year’s end. See http://hartleyfoundation.org/en/one-in-a-billion.

isaac solotaroff margaret eaton

geeta patel

ravi patel

casablanca callinG

God and darinG: the life of saint josemaria ascriva

the new black 30 mosques/ 30 days

deli man shamans: healinG the world

SIX FILMS IN DEVELOPMENT ADDED TO HARTLEY’S ROSTERClick on images to go directly to films

casablanca callinGIn Morocco, a quiet social revolution is underway. Women are working as official Muslim leaders for the first time. Attached to mosques and neighborhoods throughout the country, this new generation of spiritual guides, known as the Morchidat, are opening up the teachings of Islam to women, and working to change the conditions and attitudes that can foster extremism. In the mosques, the Morchidat teach the Koran and ad-vise women who come to see them about everything from relationships with their husbands to bringing up children, work, money and neighbor-hood disputes. They mentor teenagers in schools and orphanages and they go into prisons. Their role is as a spiritual guide, leader, counselor and friend. Casablanca Calling is an observational film directed and produced by Rosa Rogers, Hilary Durman and Merieme Addou that will focus on three Morchidat as they teach an Islam based on peace, tolerance and understanding. Look for updates at: http://hartleyfounda-tion.org/en/casablanca-calling.

God and darinG: the life of saint josemaria escrivaThe Catholic religious organization Opus Dei has long been a subject of public fascination. Its supporters say that it has reinvigorated Catholicism, by showing ordinary men and women how they can achieve holi-ness in their everyday lives. In 2002, Pope John Paul II declared the group’s founder, the Spanish priest Josemaria Escriva, to be a saint. But Opus Dei has also been a lightning rod for controversy. It has been accused of being ultra-secretive, highly influential, and overly regimented and overzealous in its recruiting practices. Perhaps most controversial has been the fact that Opus Dei requires its celibate members to practice corporeal mor-tification. For the first time, Opus Dei has agreed to cooperate with director Kenneth Mandel in a biographical film of Opus Dei’s founder, who lived from 1902 to 1975. His life, like the message he preached, straddled the spiritual and secular worlds. There are many still alive who knew the future saint

during the course of his long career. Furthermore, Escriva was one of the first Catholic saints whose personality and teachings were captured on sound film. The film will draw extensively on color footage of his appearances during the 1970s before enthusiastic crowds in Europe and Latin America that reveal his message and charisma. To learn more, go to: http://hartleyfoundation.org/en/god-and-daring-life-of-josemaria-escriva.

the new blackThe New Black (working title) uncovers the complicated histori-cal relationship between the African American church and the LGBT Civil Rights Movement. Director Yoruba Richen travels across the country with a gay gospel singer and the head of the National Black Justice Coalition, among others, who come together to challenge the existence of homophobia in the black church and confront traditionally white gay organizations around the issue of race. The film is in production at a crucial moment as the black church community engages in a wrenching conversation about gay rights, and the LGBT community re-examines its strategy around interaction with African-American churches. Further information at http://hartleyfoundation.org/en/new-black.

hilary durman rosa rogers merieme addou

kenneth mandel

saint josemaria escriva (top center)

yoruba richen

30 mosques/30 days30 Mosques/30 Days involves a quirky cross-country road trip by two Muslim-American twen-ty-somethings over the course of Ramadan 2011. They plan to visit a different mosque in a different state every night for 30 days. Fellow travelers Bas-sam Tariq and Aman Ali were thrust into the role of spokes-

people for America’s Muslims following their first two Ramadan road trips. Their funny, heartfelt and insightful reflections on these journeys have drawn widespread attention: CNN named them two of the Top Newsmak-ers for 2010 and NPR called them “Cultural Ambassadors to the World.” Tariq and Ali seek the freedom of the open road, but they journey into a divided America. Co-directors Musa Syeed (A Son’s Sacrifice) and Omar Mullick climb into the back seat for this part road trip movie and part new media experiment. 30 Mosques/30 Days will challenge the young heroes and audiences with a journey along the boundaries of pluralism to the heart of America. Further information at: http://hartleyfoundation.org/en/thirty-mosques-thirty-days.

deli manWhat makes a Jew? In the oft-quoted rabbinic source “Ethics of the Fathers,” the three pillars of Judaism are earmarked as prayer, study, and gemilut hasidim, or acts of loving kindness. But there’s a fourth pillar – food. A ten-der cut of corned beef steeped in its juices. A full-bodied garlic pickle. Spicy brown mustard with grain. A blintz that melts in your mouth like a creamsicle on a summer’s day. Recipes and culinary garnishes from Hungary, Poland, Russia, and Romania that soon became part of an Ameri-can culinary and cultural vernacular – Deli. Deli Man is the third work in a trilogy about Jewish religion and culture, produced and directed by Erik Greenberg An-jou. The effusive and charming Ziggy Gruber is at the center of the story. He’s a third-generation delicatessen owner and maven, as well as a Yiddish-speaking French-trained chef, who currently operates one of the country’s most popular, and delicious delis, Kenney and Ziggy’s in Houston. “Texas?” you ask. Shalom, y’all. Documentary details at: http://hartleyfoundation.org/en/deli-man.

shamans: healinG the worldIn ancient cultures throughout the world, Shamans have traditionally been guardians of family values and the environment. In Shamans: Healing Our World, director Marianna Yarovskaya tells their stories, and records their wisdom, teachings and insights as she journeys to some of the few remaining ecologically pure places on the globe: The Altai region of Russia, Yunnan province of China, jungles of Peru, and remote areas of Indonesia. See http://hartleyfoundation.org/en/shamans-healing-our-world for more on this film in production.

erik greenberg anjou

aman ali (left) and bassam tariq (right)

ziggy gruber (left) and gene gruber ( patriarch, right)

musa syeed omar mullick

marianna yarovskaya

also in the news

full frame inspiration award sponsored by hartleyThe Hartley Film Foundation sponsors the Full Frame Inspiration Award, given annu-ally at the Full Frame Film Festival in Durham, NC. The 2011 Full Frame Inspiration Award went this past April to We Still Live Here by director Anne Makepeace. She tells the story of a community determined to rekindle an aspect of life that is fundamental to culture

and to identity. We Still Live Here chronicles the revival of the lost language of the five tribes of the Wampanoag nation. The documentary will be broadcast on PBS’s Independent Lens on November 17th of this year. Check your local listings for times and go to http://www.make-peaceproductions.com/wampfilm.html for details.

hartley board member robina niaZ honoredRobina Niaz, born and raised in Pakistan, is Executive Director of Turning Point for Women and Families, a community-based, non-profit organization in the US addressing the needs of Muslim women and children, especially in the area of domestic violence. Hartley Film Foun-dation applauds Robina on a number of recent acknowledgments. In March of this year, she was one of 31 women honored by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg in commemora-tion of Women’s History Month, and in May, Robina was tapped as one of the 21 Leaders of the 21st Century by Women’s eNews. Robina was formerly featured as one of the 500 Most Influential Muslims by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center at Georgetown University and named a CNN Hero, CORO Immigrant Leadership Fellow and an Open Society Institute/RCLA Social Justice Fellow. Congratulations, Robina!

Please visit our Facebook and Twitter feeds for timely updates on the status of films in development that are supported by Hartley.

To purchase our outstanding video and film documentaries and audio meditations on world religions and spirituality, please visit our Web site at www.hartleyfounda-tion.org or call us at (800) 937-1819.

The Hartley Film Foundation board and staff wish you a peaceful summer.

IF YOU WISH TO CONTACT OUR EDITOR OR TO UNSUBSCRIBE TO THE HARTLEY FILM FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER, PLEASE E-MAIL: INFO@HARTLEYFOUNDATION.ORG.

allie humenuk and anne makepeace