Two Brooklyn-focused events - Dec. 3rd, documentaries screening "Brooklyn Roots; Past and Present" and Dec 10th, "Brooklyn in Literature"

“Brooklyn in Literature, 1855 - 2010” program at St. Francis College, December 10th, 2010.

December 10th, 2010 - “Brooklyn in Literature, 1855 – 2010” Brooklyn literature program
Authors Tim McLoughlin, Ian Maloney, Tao Lin, Ian Maloney, Nelson George and publisher Johnny Temple will address the theme of “The experience of Brooklyn life and representation of Brooklyn in writing.”

Time: 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm. This program is FREE & Open to the Public.

St. Francis College, Maroni Theater, 180 Remsen Street, Brooklyn Heights, NY 11201

Event information please call (718) 522-2300


Walt Whitman

“Brooklyn in Literature, 1855 - 2010” program at St. Francis College, December 10th, 2010 at 6:30 pm. Located at 180 Remsen Street, Brooklyn Heights, NY 11201. FREE & Open to the Public


The “Brooklyn in Literature, 1855 - 2010” program will address the theme of “The experience of Brooklyn life in writing.” Five authors will explore how a Brooklyn-centric perspective has been reflected in their work as well as the early Brooklyn literatur of Walt Whitman, H.P. Lovecraft and others.. The author’s will explore the notion of a distinctly Brooklyn-centric outlook in period and contemporary literature, as well as literary characters that have a uniquely Brooklyn-inspired context.

Tim McLoughlin, author of “Heart of the Old Country” and editor of the “Brooklyn Noir” series will discuss and read excerpts from - H.P Lovecraft's 'Horror at Red Hook ' , Thomas Wolfe's 'Only the Dead know Brooklyn' and Irwin Shaw's 'Borough of Cemeteries.' This important early literature is of critical historical importance for Brooklynites and some of those early literary strands will connect well with discussions of contemporary Brooklyn literature.

Dr. Ian Maloney is Associate Professor at St. Francis College and his first book, “Melville’s Monumental Imagination” came out in 2006. New York writing is his passion and particularly the writings of Herman Melville and Walt Whitman. Dr. Maloney has been selected for the Speakers in the Humanities Program (2003-2005) by the New York Council for the Humanities and is currently the Managing Editor of the Arthur Miller Journal, which is published at St. Francis College.

Tao Lin author of Shoplifting from American Apparel, published September 15, 2009; a novel, Eeeee Eee Eeee, and a short story collection, Bed, published simultaneously May 2007; two poetry collections, you are a little bit happier than i am, which won Action Books' December Prize in 2005 and was published November 2006, and cognitive-behavioral therapy, published May 2008. Tao Lin, a Brooklyn resident embodies a pioneering iconoclastic literary voice that embodies a cutting edge contemporary outlook that bridges the gap between blog-lit and performance art.

Nelson George is an author, producer, filmmaker and critic. Raised in Brooklyn, he has often drawn inspiration from Brooklyn-living for his writing including his memoir, 'City Kid.’ This autobiographical work looks at the connections between childhood in Brooklyn and his adult career in Manhattan, Los Angeles and Detroit.

Johnny Temple is the publisher and editor-in-chief of Akashic Books, an award-winning Brooklyn-based independent company dedicated to publishing urban literary fiction and political nonfiction. Temple won the American Association of Publishers’ 2005 Miriam Bass Award for Creativity in Independent Publishing. He is one of the founding members of the Brooklyn Book Festival and chairman of the Brooklyn Literary Council.

The Brooklyn Film & Arts Festival presents Brooklyn-focused public programs which are dedicated to illuminating the rich cultural history and character of the people and communities of Brooklyn.

This program has been made possible with support from the New York Council for the Humanities and St. Francis College.

Special thanks to the Joyva Corporation.





December 3rd, 2010 Brooklyn Film & Arts Festival screening at the Brooklyn Historical Society. Photo: Brooklyn Historical Society


The Brooklyn Film & Arts Festival is presenting two Brooklyn-focused programs in December, 2010. On December 3rd, 2010 in partnership with the Brooklyn Historical Society we will present three Brooklyn focused documentaries spanning 1964 to 2010 in a program titled, "Brooklyn Roots, Past and Present."

The Brooklyn Film & Arts Festival’s “Brooklyn Roots; Past & Present” documentaries screening will take place at the Brooklyn Historical Society on Friday, December 3rd, 2010 at 6:30pm at the Brooklyn Historical Society located at 128 Pierrepont Street (at Clinton Street) Brooklyn, NY 11201.

For information please call 718-222-4111. Admission is Free. Open to the general public.

On December 10th, 2010 in partnership with St. Francis College, there will be a literary event titled "Brooklyn in Literature, 1855 - 2010” program at St. Francis College with authors Tim McLoughlin, Ian Maloney, Tao Lin, Nelson George and publisher Johnny Temple.


Brooklyn-focused documentaries screening of “Brooklyn Roots; Past & Present.”December 3rd, 2010.


Filmmaker Reaghan Tarbell

The Brooklyn Film & Arts Festival’s “Brooklyn Roots; Past & Present” documentaries screening will take place at the Brooklyn Historical Society on Friday, December 3rd, 2010 at 6:30pm at the Brooklyn Historical Society located at 128 Pierrepont Street (at Clinton Street) Brooklyn, NY 11201. For information please call 718-222-4111.

The documentaries screening at the December 3rd, 2010 Brooklyn Film & Arts Festival in partnership with the Brooklyn Historical Society will address the theme of “Brooklyn Roots; Past & Present.” The featured films of the Festival’s fourth year take us on deeply personal journeys of communities and people, whose souls are strongly rooted in the Brooklyn of yesterday and today.


Mohawk Steelworker, New York City.

“To Brooklyn and Back: A Mohawk Journey” (2009) is the personal story of Mohawk filmmaker Reaghan Tarbell as she explores her Brooklyn roots. The film tells the story of the legendary Mohawk steelworkers and their families who travelled to North Gowanus in Brooklyn from the Kahnawake reserve in Canada to build the skyscrapers of New York City. Reaghan Tarbell interweaves family interviews, and archival footage to convey the long-standing roots of the Mohawk people in Brooklyn.



Pegi Gorelick


“Incident on Wilson Street” (1964) A special education teacher, Pegi Gorelick, at P.S. 16 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and her fifth-grade students face a crisis when one of the students, a girl, assaults another teacher. The film examines the complex social fabric and pressures that these Brooklyn children have to navigate as part of everyday life. The story involves parents, teachers, and students as they gain an understanding of the causes of the crisis, and work to improve the situation. Written and directed by William Jersey. (Shown in excerpted form).



The Renovation (Jim in his childhood home in Brooklyn)
Photo: Lea Mathiesen

“The Renovation” (2010) Lea Mathiesen’s film introduces us to Jim, a longtime Brooklyn resident and Vietnam War veteran who undertakes the renovation of the Williamsburg house which is also his birthplace. Jim’s internal struggle with the spirits and memories of the departed inhabiting the house and his mind are illuminated in this compelling film.

Other Brooklyn short documentaries will also be presented. Filmmakers will be present for post-screening discussion.

The Brooklyn Film & Arts Festival presents Brooklyn-focused public programs which are dedicated to illuminating the rich cultural history and character of the people and communities of Brooklyn.

Website: www.FilmBrooklyn.org

Brooklyn Film and Arts Festival Intro Trailer

Brooklyn Film and Arts Festival Intro Trailer

Brooklyn Film and Arts Festival Screening Friday, December 4th, 2009

Brooklyn Film & Arts Festival December 4th, 2009 Screening of Brooklyn-focused Films at the Brooklyn Historical Society. Audience discussion after screening.




"The Boys of Second "Street Park"


The Brooklyn Film & Arts Festival Screening at the Brooklyn Historical Society will be presented on Friday, December 4th, 2009.

Screening time: 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm.

The documentaries screening at the Brooklyn Film & Arts Festival will address the theme “Brooklyn; Back in The Day.” The main films selected for the festival’s third year will reflect on the transformations, challenges and turmoil faced by Brooklyn in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s.

This screening has been curated by Aziz Rahman, director of the Brooklyn Film & Arts Festival and is presented in partnership with the Brooklyn Historical Society.

“The Boys of 2nd Street Park” directed by Dan Klores, and Ron Berger, (2003). This moving documentary tells the story of five young men from Brighton Beach growing up in Brooklyn during the hippie-era 1960’s reflecting on the many exhilarating and challenging turns in their lives.

“The Cities; Dilemma in Black and White” produced for CBS News by John Sharnik, Bernard Birnbaum, and Paul Greenberg (1968). Journalistic exploration of the social crisis in Bedford-Stuyvesant and the intervention efforts of local community groups, activists and politicians including Robert Kennedy, Jr.

"The Romeows” – Directed by Robert Sarnoff (2009). Explores the relationships among a group of Brooklyn College friends who have been together for 50 years.
Other Brooklyn short documentaries will also be presented.


The Romeows – Directed by Robert Sarnoff (2009).

Brooklyn Public Library Brooklyn Docs Screening Wednesday, June 24th, 2009 -

The Brooklyn Film & Arts Festival in partnership with the Brooklyn Public Library’s Brooklyn Collection Department will present a series of Brooklyn documentaries for a program titled “Brooklyn Docs at the Brooklyn Public Library.

These remarkably compelling films are drawn from the BPL’s own Brooklyn Collection. The Brooklyn documentaries being screened vividly convey Brooklyn’s uniquely complex and vibrant cultural heritage through several decades, ranging from the 1960’s to 1980’s.

Screening Date & Time: Wednesday, June 24th, 2009, at 7:00pm – 8:45 pm.

The program lineup includes the following Brooklyn films:



Trinidad in Brooklyn - (1985)

Experimental film shot by Sol Rubin in a hypnotic style documents the fervor of the Caribbean Day Parade in Crown Heights interspersing joyous celebrants, enthralled observers, local Hasidim and intermingled communities taking in the festivities.


Who Grows in Brooklyn - (1969) Follows a bookmobile and the dedicated librarians who bring books to the inner city. Shows people of all ages using the bookmobile and becoming knowledgeable about the Brooklyn Public Library system.


Incident on Wilson Street - (1964) A special education teacher, Pegi Gorelick at P.S. 16 in Brooklyn and her fifth-grade students face a crisis when one of the students, a girl, assaults another teacher. The girl, who has a cleft palate, is often hurt by cruel remarks by other children. The story involves parents, teachers, and students as they gain an understanding of the causes of the crisis, and work to improve the situation.






I Remember Barbara - (1981)

Director Kevin Burns connects with Brooklynites of all stripes as they weigh-in on the legendary Barbra Streisand they once knew. Opinionated hairdressers, former schoolmates, music aficionados, beachgoers, cops, look-alikes, and others analyze and speculate about Barbra, and the influence of her Brooklyn roots on her persona.


Time: 7:00 pm to 8:45 pm.

Place: Dweck Center for Contemporary Culture at the main branch of the Brooklyn Public Library at Grand Army Plaza. (Flatbush Avenue & Eastern Parkway).

For information please call the Brooklyn Collections at (718) 230-2778.

Email : Brooklynfa@yahoo.com Website: www.FilmBrooklyn.org

“The Streets of Brooklyn in Film” Conference May 30th, 2009

“The Streets of Brooklyn in Film” Conference May 30th, 2009 at Long Island University - Brooklyn Campus.



“The Streets of Brooklyn in Film” - Press coverage



"Little Odessa"



"Last Exit to Brooklyn"



"The Lords of Flatbush"


"On the Waterfront"

The Brooklyn Film & Arts Festival in partnership with Long Island University’s Media Arts Department will present a conference titled, “The Streets of Brooklyn in Film” on Saturday, May 30th, 2009.

Time: 12:00pm -5:00 pm.

Location: Long Island University’s Spike Lee Screening Room. Humanities Building, Room 106. (Located at Flatbush & Dekalb Avenues. Enter on DeKalb Avenue.)

“The Streets of Brooklyn in Film” conference will illuminate the depiction of Brooklyn street-culture, Brooklyn movie archetypes, and the representation of Brooklyn “street reality” in Hollywood films.

Speakers will include Prof. Larry Banks, Prof. Joe Dorinson, Prof. Dennis Broe, Prof. Michael Hittman, & Prof. Ed Guerrero.

Special guest speaker – Mr. Sol Yurick, author of the novel, “The Warriors.”

Program includes screening of excerpts from more than twenty Brooklyn “street” films.

Admission is Free. Open to the general public.

By subway IRT 4 or 5 train, or 2 or 3 train to Nevins Street Station.
BMT: B, M, Q, or R train to Dekalb Avenue Station.

For Information call – L.I.U Media Arts Dept (718) 488-1052.

Email: Brooklynfa@yahoo.com

This program was made possible by a grant from the New York Council for the Humanities.

Brooklyn Film and Arts Festival Screening December 4th and December 5th, 2008

Stefanie Joshua and J L Aronson discussing their documentaries during the Brooklyn Film & Arts Festival 2008 screening at the Brooklyn Historical Society.

Photo: Ted Fisher




"A Hole in a Fence" by D.W. Young

“Observing Brooklyn; Encountering Change”
The Brooklyn Film & Arts Festival in partnership with the Brooklyn Historical Society will present a Brooklyn-focused documentary series on December 4th & 5th, 2008, that illustrates the social and cultural changes in Brooklyn, both past and present.

The "Observing Brooklyn; Encountering Change" documentaries series will illuminate a broad range of Brooklyn life including exploring a recently rediscovered century old tunnel beneath Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn stickball players sporting reunion, 1969 family outing in Coney Island, period Brooklyn footage, Brooklyn senior citizens doing some combative reminiscing and several other short Brooklyn films.

The screenings will be held at the Brooklyn Historical Society, 128 Pierrepont Street, in Brooklyn Heights.

Programs begin at 6:00 pm and admission is $5.00. Please call 718-222-4111 for information.

This program is the second Brooklyn Film & Arts Festival screening of Brooklyn documentaries in partnership with the Brooklyn Historical Society.


Program List of Documentaries for December 4th & December 5th, 2008 Screenings



December 4th, 2008 Program-----------------------------------------------------


A Hole in a Fence by D.W. Young (46 mins)

This documentary takes the viewer into a microcosm of a community of Brooklyn urban homesteaders who have carved out an alternative existence in a pocket of Red Hook. Through the exploration of this chance discovery of these relatively hidden lives the filmmaker takes us on a tour of the shifting social landscape of Red Hook’s waterfront neighborhood and its people on the brink of large-scale change.




Once Upon a Time in Brooklyn by Neil Ira Needleman (7 mins)

Neil Ira Needleman starts a conversation with his feisty aunts in Brooklyn who hold forth on family history with differing and at times combative perspectives. The filmmaker celebrates the spirit of dissent by presenting debate as a life affirming exercise.



Brooklyn is Everything – by Derek Garcia (5:00 mins)

A young Brooklyn filmmaker takes the audience on a lyrical tour of his cherished Brooklyn world. Through the pensively wrought sights we are witness to the soulful richness of Brooklyn’s landscape.



Atlantic Avenue 1972 – by Aldo Tambellini (3:35 mins)

Avant-garde artist Aldo Tambellini, a pioneer of video art from the very early days of portable video-camera technology was witness to the grim street realities of Atlantic Avenue at the junction of Flatbush Avenue in 1972. Aldo’s documentary footage of the gritty atmosphere and street denizens of Atlantic Avenue of the 1970’s recalls downtown Brooklyn long before the advent of gentrification, boutiques and urban renewal.




The Tunnel Man – by Katya Soldak (3:21 mins)

Katya Soldak introduces us to Bob Diamond, a pioneering Brooklynite who rediscovered the Atlantic Avenue tunnel that was built in 1844 and abandoned for more than 150 years. Soldak’s camera takes us on a whimsical subterranean tour of the cavernous tunnel which is worlds apart from the frenetic streets of Brooklyn just above.



Stricken – by Don Cameron (6:00 mins)

A young actor from Guyana finds himself trying to fathom the complexities of different cultures and trying to adapt to life in East Flatbush. This autobiographical documentary by a teenage filmmaker introduces the viewer to the perspectives, struggles and determined aspirations of a Brooklynite striving for a better life.


‘I Remember Barbara’ - by Kevin Burns – 1981 (22 mins)

Brooklynites of all stripes weigh-in on the legendary Barbra Streisand they once knew. Opinionated hairdressers, former schoolmates, music aficionados, beachgoers, cops, look-alikes, and others analyze and speculate about Barbra, and the influence of her Brooklyn roots on her persona.


December 5th, 2008 Program-----------------------------------------------------



Family Outing to Coney Island - by Don Brunjes (3:30 mins)

A virtual visual time-capsule captures the Brunjes family strolling through lively Coney Island in 1969. The film record of period details brings home the timeless attraction for Brooklyn pleasure seekers of all ages.




J.L. Aronson’s insightful documentary, ‘Last Summer at Coney Island’(shown in excerpted form) gives voice to longtime Coney Island residents and Astroland workers concerns and perspectives about the closing of Astroland and the implications of this development on Coney Island for the future.



Up On the Roof by J L Aronson (40 mins)

Raising pigeons in handmade rooftop coops along the East River in Williamsburg, a group of die-hard Brooklyn pigeon lovers face down the inevitable demise of their passionate vocation. J L Aronson takes us into the lives of these wizened Brooklyn locals who hark back to the era of working class Brooklyn waterfront culture personified by Marlon Brando in “On The Waterfront.”



12th & 3rd in Brooklyn – by Ted Fisher, Iris Lee and Maya Mumma (5.53 mins)

A gathering of stickball players young and old in Park Slope on a summer day brings back the once familiar resonating sounds of a traditional Brooklyn street game. The players both seasoned veteran players and the ingénue convey the hearty pleasure of a low-tech pastime that brings a Brooklyn block to life through sport.



Dispatch – by Robert Sarnoff (5:30 mins)

On the hardscrabble seaside stretch of sand of Rockaway a chain-smoking car service dispatcher and his nighttime drivers reflect philosophically about their passengers, precarious existence and occupational circumstances.


Bushwick Homecomings by Stefanie Joshua (37 mins)

Bushwick native filmmaker returns to her old neighborhood to examine the changes underway in Bushwick and to convey the experiences of those residents who survived the crime waves and community erosion of the 1980s’ and 90’s. This documentary examines the roots of the drastic changes in Bushwick and the lessons learned by community members who survived the most turbulent era of Bushwick.



Trinidad in Brooklyn - by Sol Rubin (10.00 mins)

Experimental film shot in a hypnotic style documents the fervor of the 1985 Caribbean Day Parade in Crown Heights interspersing joyous celebrants, enthralled observers, local Hasidim and intermingled communities taking in the festivities.

Brooklyn Film and Arts Festival Call for Brooklyn Documentaries

From the documentary “Vodou Brooklyn” by Stephanie Keith

Brooklyn Film & Arts Festival - Call for Brooklyn Documentaries

The Brooklyn Film & Arts Festival is currently accepting submissions of Brooklyn-focused documentaries for the December, 2008 screening at the Brooklyn Historical Society. The Brooklyn Film & Arts Festival documentaries screening program invites filmmakers to submit short documentaries about Brooklyn, Brooklyn history, changing-Brooklyn, Brooklynites, Brooklyn communities, diverse Brooklyn neighborhoods and Brooklyn’s people. Please visit www.FilmBrooklyn.org for more information about the Brooklyn Film & Arts Festival.

Deadline: November 5th, 2008