A Screening "Down Under"
Post date: May 30, 2013 5:36:05 PM
On Thursday, May 30th, Misa's Fugue screened before monthly Film Club of the Jewish Holocaust Centre in Victoria, Australia. The film club meets to view films related to the Holocaust and related issues. Earlier this spring, the moderator of the Film Club, Dr. Adam Brown, connected with the MIsa's Fugue team to set up this screening and also to organize a Q & A session following the film.
The wonders of modern technology and sponsorship of the Adobe Connect software by Albright College's Holocaust Library & Resource Center made the post-screening Q & A possible. The Producers had to wake up extra early to facilitate the screening due to the 14 hour time difference that exists between the Eastern United States and the Melbourne region of Australia. Although a little tired, both Sean and Jennifer looked forward to the opportunity to discuss the film with its first Australian audience.
After overcoming some small technical difficulties, the Q & A moved forward smoothly. Audience members inquired about the genesis of the film, its reception by both educational and general public audiences, the process of working with the students and future plans for the film. Dr. Brown shared the audience's sentiments that one of the finest qualities of the film is its ability to leave the viewer with a feeling of hope and not to linger on the outright despair that is portrayed in some Holocaust films.
Copies of Misa's Fugue were on hand for participants to purchase via donation. Additional copies are also available in the bookstore of the JHC. Jennifer shares that the opportunity was special because "if someone had told me a little over a year ago that Sean and I would be speaking with an Australian audience about Misa's Fugue, I would have found it hard to believe. This is just another example of the tremendous power this film has had on audiences and its ability to spread Frank's story worldwide. We look forward to many more exciting opportunities for the film in the months to come."
