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Writer and editor Home > Blogs > Brain Droppings > Archives > 2008 > April > 14 > Entry
Dayton Jewish Film Festival … hoorah!
Alas, I was only able to get to one event for the 8th Dayton Jewish Film Festival, but I really enjoyed it.
It was Sunday’s afternoon panel discussion at the Neon Movies, at which filmmakers discussed works in progress … the local artist in question was none other than Aileen LeBlanc, who many of us remember as the host of “Sounds Local” and other news programs a few years back on WYSO-FM.
These days, she has turned her talents and attentions to filmmaking, and with the support of the Levin Foundation, is working on a documentary called “Take Us Home.” it tells the story of the Ethiopian Jews who are gradually being relocated to Israel, where they can live better lives economically and also practice their faith without the discrimination they experience in their homeland, where many had to become Christians against their will.
The Israeli government is letting them in a few families at a time in an effort that has lasted for several years, settling them in Tel Aviv … where, once they start new lives, these people find that there are things they lose as well — old culture, family ways and familiarity with a way of life that falls quickly away as modern trappings come their way.
It’s a compelling human tale that LeBlanc is telling magnificently, judging from the 15-minute work in progress excerpt she showed at the Neon. We can’t wait to see more as it happens. Stay tuned.
And hoorah, meanwhile, for the organizers of the Dayton Jewish Film Festival, which runs for two weeks and is an excellent, unique event.
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By Eve
April 15, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this
I guess Leon went to a different theater than you did.By Leon Harrison
April 14, 2008 6:55 PM | Link to this
Leon Harrison West Carrollton, Ohio Monday, April 14, 2008 To: The Editor Subject: Hollywood hypocrisy regarding carbon footprints “How big is Hollywood’s carbon footprint?” I just got back from (driving to and from) seeing “Street Kings”, today’s violent action-packed cop-thriller-killer matinee movie. Now, I wonder about how big Hollywood’s carbon footprint is. The Screenvision “Go Green” preshow will continue until April 24, host Bradford Howe, activist actress [aren’t they all?] Aisha Tyler, and The Alliance for Climate Protection pestering the rest of us to do likewise, with fifteen minutes of nagging-nanny agenda-driven environmentalist propaganda. Tommy Lee Jones narrates a gloomy black-balloon energy-usage piece, followed by Dave Schlafman’s “Sky is Falling” cartoon. I have to laugh when Ms. Tyler reminds us that we can use video/audio conferencing instead of flying. Has she informed these Gore Whores, Jimmy Carter, and three presidential candidates? She also tells us that we can find out how big our carbon footprints are by getting online. During the first Go Green preshow that I had to sit through (now a half-dozen or so ago), this hypocritical Hollywood nagging had me angry and gagging. Especially while I am watching previews of spectacular action-packed movies, seeing aircraft and racing roaring vehicles with squealing tires, fires, explosions and gunfire. How big is the carbon footprint of a typical movie crew, with all of those SUVs, trucks and trailers? Finally, I could not resist yelling at Bradford and Aisha, while they smiled and babbled at me from that big movie screen: “WE COULD QUIT DRIVING TO THE MOVIES!” Other audience members seemed to agree with me. Ah, who can stay home and away from Indiana Jones? PLEASE, LEAVE US ALONE! Leon Harrison West Carrollton, Ohio