RE: Fwd: Yiddish short story for klezmer film sought

[Ari Davidow <ari...>]

>Dear friends,
>Regarding my email asking people to help with info regarding a short story
>for a fiction film about  a klezmer musician.
>I am sorry for raising unnecessary anger among some of you.
>I have received a few hostile emails - I prefer to answer them with warmth.
>I hope to clear some things and still hope to get your assistance.
>I still ask your asistance.
>You are right - Many Israeli's do not know enough about the beautiful and
>old Jewish culture.
>That is why I have decided to start investigating.
>
>I have been a documentary filmmaker from a young age and have worked in this
>field for over ten years. Films I have worked on have been screened around
>the world. I have won awards in the US, Europe and even in Asian countries
>among them Shanghai-China and in Taiwan. Perhaps some of you have seen a
>film I produced and directed called - "Out for love...be back shortly" It
>was bought in the US by HBO. It has played in over 100 International film
>festivals worldwide and screened in many TV stations around the globe.
>(Too bad I wasn't as good a business man as a filmmaker - and so I actually
>managed to lose money on this huge success. Yet I have realized that also in
>the future I care more about telling stories I feel passionetly about rather
>than about becoming a businessman  )
>My film is considered one of the most important films about the Rabin era in
>Israel and is taught today in many high schools and universities. You can
>also visit the website of the film www.katzirdan.com to read what many
>viewers from around the world have thought about this film.
>
>I was lucky to meet simon who opened my eyes and heart to klezmer music.
>I have experience making films, and reaching a large audience. It would be
>an honor for me to make a film that deals with klezmer if I find the right
>story. I find it not only interesting but also important.
>Like in documentary films - this is now the stage of doing research and I
>would need your help.
>
>I have fallen in love with Klezmer music- yet know very little about it.
>That is why I have asked all your assistance.
>Althought my family originally is from eastern Europe -Growing up in
>Israel - I do not know that much about that culture.
>
>If the short fiction film I am making will succeed - perhaps I will manage
>to find the funding to make a feature lengh film.
>
>A good fiction film- will do so much more to  raise the awarness of the
>general audience to Klezmer music .
>Please understand- It would have been much easier to make a short about so
>many other subjects that are much more trendy and cool- yet I chose to make
>it about a klezmer musician- because I want to try to bring our cultural
>heritage to a larger audience - Jews and non Jews.
>
>The short I am making will be shot on 35m"m - which will allow it to be
>shown in cinemas.
>Even if you don't know people in Los Angeles who might help me- if you know
>people anywhere in the US who might be able to assist in any way - please
>let me know.
>I travel often to screenings of my film around the states - so I could meet
>with people not just in LA.
>
>I love Bernarnd Melamuds way of telling stories - and would like to find a
>story that would have the same tone.
>These are not stories about Titanics and Star Wars but rather about ordinary
>people with tiny but very realistic human dramas.
>I want to try to find a short story that will manage to have the same magic
>that klezmer has- the ability to laugh and cry at the same time, combined
>with the warmth and love of humanity. For me- klezmer is a celebration of
>life.
>I think that a good short film is like a short anecadote - it usually tells
>about a short meeting that transforms someone's life in some way. It doesn't
>have to be a huge life or death situation - it could be somthing small yet
>very emotional.
>It can happen in the street , at home, in a wedding, at a Bar Mitzvah.
>If any of you know short stories about this - or if any of you know short
>anacadotes from the life of Klezmer musicians, please help .
>
>My original idea, was to find a story about an old klezmer musician who is
>looking for a last recognition at the end of his career. He finds it in his
>last performance in a Bar Mitzvah.
>that was just a general idea, yet it can be any other idea - or if any of
>you know someone, who has been in a situation like the one I described.
>If any of you remember or know true life stories that happened to you or to
>others - that would also be wonderful.
>
>
>Thank you in advance.
>Dan Katzir
>love (at) katzirdan(dot)com
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: owner-jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org
>[mailto:owner-jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org]On Behalf Of Robert Cohen
>Sent: Tuesday, October 17, 2000 2:45 PM
>To: World music from a Jewish slant
>Subject: Re: Fwd: Yiddish short story for klezmer film sought
>
>
>It's good, of course, that we try to be there for each other on this list w/
>respect to music/information/etc. searches, but this guy just seems to want
>everybody to do his work for him.
>
>Unless this has been unintentionally garbled in transition, it's an inane
>request.  He's looking for "a" short story to make a film of?  Good grief!!
>Read some short stories, man, and then more, and then more, until you find
>one you want to dramatize.
>
>Unless, again, this is a garbled transition, this fellow is not a serious
>artist by definition.
>
>
>>From: Ari Davidow <ari (at) ivritype(dot)com>
>>Reply-To: jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org
>>To: World music from a Jewish slant <jewish-music (at) shamash(dot)org>
>>Subject: Fwd: Yiddish short story for klezmer film sought
>>Date: Sat, 14 Oct 2000 09:47:48 -0400
>>
>>Perhaps someone from jewish-music could help this person.
>>--ari
>>
>> >From: "Dan Katzir" <love (at) katzirdan(dot)com>
>> >Date: Fri, 13 Oct 2000 02:57:09 -0700
>> >
>> >My name is Dan Katzir and I am an Israeli filmmaker.
>> >I am currently living in Los Angeles.
>> >Last year I heard for the first time Klezmer music and fell in love with
>>it.
>> >I am looking for a short story I could develop into a fiction film, and
>> >would like to know if you could assist me in some way- either if you know
>> >some, or if you know who could help me.
>> >I would also be grateful if you could refer me to people in Los Angeles
>>who
>> >could assist me in this project
>> >Thank you in advance
>> >Dan Katzir
katzir1 (at) post(dot)tau(dot)ac(dot)il>

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