Exclusive: Ben Berkowitz and Max Berkowitz and their company Not A Billionaire (Nab) has optioned the book rights to the storied life of Danish renaissance man Peter Freuchen. Nab will co-produce a limited series based on the life of Freuchen with the legend’s grandson Peter Ittinuar Freuchen. The Berkowitz Brothers will serve as executive producers and the project is supported by The Redford Center and the Jewish Film Institute.
Freuchen was a peg-legged 6’7” Danish Jewish man who explored the Arctic, battled the Nazis, won a game show, starred in the Oscar-winning 1933 film Eskimo — and that was just a handful of his accomplishments. The Berkowitz Brothers and Freuchen’s grandson have done extensive research and secured the rights to several of Freuchen’s autobiographies detailing the story of a man who many said was ahead of his time.
More from DeadlineUFC Postpones Its Next Three Events After Being A Sports...
Freuchen was a peg-legged 6’7” Danish Jewish man who explored the Arctic, battled the Nazis, won a game show, starred in the Oscar-winning 1933 film Eskimo — and that was just a handful of his accomplishments. The Berkowitz Brothers and Freuchen’s grandson have done extensive research and secured the rights to several of Freuchen’s autobiographies detailing the story of a man who many said was ahead of his time.
More from DeadlineUFC Postpones Its Next Three Events After Being A Sports...
- 3/16/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Polish Bar
Directed by Ben Berkowitz
Written by Ben Berkowitz and Ben Redgrave
USA, 2010
For those who aren’t in the know, there is an amazing phenomenon in the music community known as Matisyahu. With an eclectic style ranging from hip-hop, rock, and reggae fusion, Matisyahu is known as “the most intriguing reggae artist in the world” and was named the Top Reggae Artist by Billboard in 2006.
It just so happens that he’s a Hassidic Jew.
Matisyahu (real name Matthew Paul Miller) is a positive example of an individual embracing two seemingly conflicting cultures to, by synthesizing his diverse influences, create wondrous pieces of music.
Ben Berkowitz’ drama film, Polish Bar, tries to modernize this example by telling the story of a young Jewish DJ, but the result is a narrative with a drastically conflicting identity, let alone its characters’.
Vincent Piazza (from Boardwalk Empire) is Reuben, an aspiring...
Directed by Ben Berkowitz
Written by Ben Berkowitz and Ben Redgrave
USA, 2010
For those who aren’t in the know, there is an amazing phenomenon in the music community known as Matisyahu. With an eclectic style ranging from hip-hop, rock, and reggae fusion, Matisyahu is known as “the most intriguing reggae artist in the world” and was named the Top Reggae Artist by Billboard in 2006.
It just so happens that he’s a Hassidic Jew.
Matisyahu (real name Matthew Paul Miller) is a positive example of an individual embracing two seemingly conflicting cultures to, by synthesizing his diverse influences, create wondrous pieces of music.
Ben Berkowitz’ drama film, Polish Bar, tries to modernize this example by telling the story of a young Jewish DJ, but the result is a narrative with a drastically conflicting identity, let alone its characters’.
Vincent Piazza (from Boardwalk Empire) is Reuben, an aspiring...
- 5/12/2012
- by Justin Li
- SoundOnSight
A new application for Facebook and iPhones lets residents of small cities submit quality-of-life complaints without picking up the phone or waiting to see someone at City Hall. It's like a cross between 311 and FarmVille--and it works.
Facebook is already good for reconnecting with old friends, making party plans, and building virtual farms. However, a new plug-in allows citizens of small municipalities to report potholes, noise complaints, graffiti, and more via Mark Zuckerberg's social network or by smartphone. The new software has already been adopted by municipalities nationwide, and helps cash-strapped city governments save money in the process.
CivicPlus's Facebook and iPhone application, Citizen Request Tracker, allows users to report non-emergency issues to local governments. Residents fill out a form that consists of a combination of pull-down menus and text boxes and then submit the information to their municipality. Separate back-end software then allows city bureaucrats to respond to queries,...
Facebook is already good for reconnecting with old friends, making party plans, and building virtual farms. However, a new plug-in allows citizens of small municipalities to report potholes, noise complaints, graffiti, and more via Mark Zuckerberg's social network or by smartphone. The new software has already been adopted by municipalities nationwide, and helps cash-strapped city governments save money in the process.
CivicPlus's Facebook and iPhone application, Citizen Request Tracker, allows users to report non-emergency issues to local governments. Residents fill out a form that consists of a combination of pull-down menus and text boxes and then submit the information to their municipality. Separate back-end software then allows city bureaucrats to respond to queries,...
- 7/22/2011
- by Neal Ungerleider
- Fast Company
Click The First Letter Of The State to browse 51 -- yes, we included the District of Columbia! -- bold ideas and brilliant urbanites who are helping to build the cities of America's future.
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- 5/16/2011
- by FAST COMPANY STAFF
- Fast Company
SeeClickFix is a sort of FarmVille for community problems.
Call it the FarmVille effect. Activists and entrepreneurs, astounded by the amount of time people spend tending to non-existent farms, are deciding that they need to have a presence on Facebook. This was the justification for the Facebook-based human rights game "America 2049" that launched yesterday, and the same logic underpins today's launch of SeeClickFix on the site.
"Report non-emergency news, receive alerts in your neighbordhood," sums up the site. A SeeClickFix user reports an issue--a pothole, say--and uploads the information to the site. SeeClickFix then feeds the information to utilities, the government, and the community; the issue is (ideally) fixed; and that information is in turn relayed back to the community. You can create geography-based "watch areas" of interest to you, and receive alerts about your neighborhood. "We provide the technology," in the words of the site, "but engaged communities do the hard work.
Call it the FarmVille effect. Activists and entrepreneurs, astounded by the amount of time people spend tending to non-existent farms, are deciding that they need to have a presence on Facebook. This was the justification for the Facebook-based human rights game "America 2049" that launched yesterday, and the same logic underpins today's launch of SeeClickFix on the site.
"Report non-emergency news, receive alerts in your neighbordhood," sums up the site. A SeeClickFix user reports an issue--a pothole, say--and uploads the information to the site. SeeClickFix then feeds the information to utilities, the government, and the community; the issue is (ideally) fixed; and that information is in turn relayed back to the community. You can create geography-based "watch areas" of interest to you, and receive alerts about your neighborhood. "We provide the technology," in the words of the site, "but engaged communities do the hard work.
- 4/6/2011
- by David Zax
- Fast Company
Map the Future: "We don't want bright young technologists just criticizing government," says Jennifer Pahlka, founder of Code for America. "We want them to become interested in making it better." | Photograph by Kurt Iswarienko
Still waiting for a full reboot in Washington, D.C., an army of citizen techies is redefining civic engagement on a hyperlocal level.
Government Reboot: Dustin Haisler has transformed Manor, Texas, into a nationwide example of gov 2.0 technologies in action. | Photograph by Jeff Wilson
Ben Berkowitz had a problem. His block of State Street, an expanse of charming storefronts and wood-frame houses that stretches from the border of Yale's campus into New Haven's grittier East Rock neighborhood, kept getting hit with graffiti. The 31-year-old did everything a good citizen was supposed to do: He called the city. He left multiple voice mails. He urged his neighbor to speak up. Eventually, he founded the Upper State Street Association to foster neighborhood pride.
Still waiting for a full reboot in Washington, D.C., an army of citizen techies is redefining civic engagement on a hyperlocal level.
Government Reboot: Dustin Haisler has transformed Manor, Texas, into a nationwide example of gov 2.0 technologies in action. | Photograph by Jeff Wilson
Ben Berkowitz had a problem. His block of State Street, an expanse of charming storefronts and wood-frame houses that stretches from the border of Yale's campus into New Haven's grittier East Rock neighborhood, kept getting hit with graffiti. The 31-year-old did everything a good citizen was supposed to do: He called the city. He left multiple voice mails. He urged his neighbor to speak up. Eventually, he founded the Upper State Street Association to foster neighborhood pride.
- 11/29/2010
- by Anya Kamenetz
- Fast Company
The 46th Chicago International Film Festival is coming, and The Scorecard Review will be there will exclusive interviews, movie reviews and red carpet events beginning October 7, 2010.
Here’s the first 20 films announced for the festival. Below is the news release.
October 7 – 21, 2010
Chicago, August 25, 2010 – Cinema/Chicago is proud to announce the first 20 new films that will appear at this year’s Chicago International Film Festival. Among them are some of the most anticipated domestic and foreign films featuring well-respected talent and directors as well as the work of exceptional newcomers. From Slumdog Millionaire and Resevoir Dogs to Martin Scorsese and Werner Herzog, The Chicago International Film Festival has consistently brought the brightest and boldest new films and filmmakers to Chicago first. Audiences will be delighted to find that this year’s Festival will be no different. Below is just a taste of the more than 150 films that will be shown at...
Here’s the first 20 films announced for the festival. Below is the news release.
October 7 – 21, 2010
Chicago, August 25, 2010 – Cinema/Chicago is proud to announce the first 20 new films that will appear at this year’s Chicago International Film Festival. Among them are some of the most anticipated domestic and foreign films featuring well-respected talent and directors as well as the work of exceptional newcomers. From Slumdog Millionaire and Resevoir Dogs to Martin Scorsese and Werner Herzog, The Chicago International Film Festival has consistently brought the brightest and boldest new films and filmmakers to Chicago first. Audiences will be delighted to find that this year’s Festival will be no different. Below is just a taste of the more than 150 films that will be shown at...
- 9/10/2010
- by Jeff Bayer
- The Scorecard Review
Chicago – Cinema/Chicago is proud to announce the first 20 new films scheduled to appear at the 2010 Chicago International Film Festival, October 7th – 21st. The Chicago festival continues to combine the films of established directors/talent with promising newcomers. Expect some foreign and domestic film surprises.
Screenings will take place at the AMC River East Theater in downtown Chicago during the October festival run. Festival passes are on sale now and individual tickets go on sale September 24th.
Gemma Arterton in ‘Tamara Drewe’
Photo Credit: Sony Pictures Classic
Here are the first 20 films slated for the Chicago International Film Festival in the announcement made on August 25th.
UK – ‘Tamara Drewe’
Director: Stephen Frears
When former ugly duckling Tamara Drewe sashays back into her hometown, life for her neighbors is thrown upside down. Now a devastating beauty, Tamara sets a contemporary comedy of manners into play using the oldest magic in the book: sex appeal.
Screenings will take place at the AMC River East Theater in downtown Chicago during the October festival run. Festival passes are on sale now and individual tickets go on sale September 24th.
Gemma Arterton in ‘Tamara Drewe’
Photo Credit: Sony Pictures Classic
Here are the first 20 films slated for the Chicago International Film Festival in the announcement made on August 25th.
UK – ‘Tamara Drewe’
Director: Stephen Frears
When former ugly duckling Tamara Drewe sashays back into her hometown, life for her neighbors is thrown upside down. Now a devastating beauty, Tamara sets a contemporary comedy of manners into play using the oldest magic in the book: sex appeal.
- 8/25/2010
- by PatrickMcD
- HollywoodChicago.com
Sundance Film Festival
PARK CITY -- Sundance has been criticized in recent years for surrendering to Hollywood. Indeed, many of the movies in this year's dramatic competition have well-known actors in the cast, which is probably how they got made. But the festival still offers a showcase to truly independent filmmakers and highlights daring work that would otherwise never get any notice at all.
Half-Life, showing in the New Frontiers section, reminds us why Sundance was launched and why it continues to have value, despite all the swag and corporate sponsors. First-time writer-director Jennifer Phang demonstrates an original talent, and though the film has imperfections and sometimes shows the strains of its low budget, it is an imaginative and deeply affecting effort. Its boxoffice prospects are limited, but it will find appreciative audiences over time.
The film is set in the not-too-distant future, when TV newscasts inform us that global warming has begun to have drastic effects all over the world. But in a suburban neighborhood of northern California, an Asian-American family is undergoing a lot of the same stresses that have always plagued families. Saura (Julia Nickson) is a single mother raising daughter Pam (Sanoe Lake) and younger son Timothy (Alexander Agate). Her new live-in lover, the much younger Wendell (Ben Redgrave), is taking a distinctly unfatherly interest in Pam. For her part, Pam is fixated on a neighbor, Scott (Leonardo Nam), the adopted son of a fundamentalist couple. Scott, however, has recently discovered his homosexuality and is having an affair with a black teacher (Lee Marks).
All of the turmoil in these two households is piercingly caught by Phang. There are plenty of moments of dark humor in the interactions of the characters, but there is also real pain and anguish. Performances vary in quality. Nickson and Lake contribute astute portrayals, but some of the supporting actors are less effective. Redgrave is too callow to capture Wendell's tortured personality, and his psychotic behavior in the final reel is not fully convincing.
But the film rests on the performance of young Agate, and here Phang has scored a triumph. Much of the film is seen through his eyes, and he conveys a wisdom well beyond his years, along with the wounds of a sensitive boy ignored or abused by the people who should be looking after him. Although the film has harsh comments to make about America's contributions to an environmental crisis, its most passionate concern is with this young boy. If we can't pay attention to our children, Phang seems to say, the earth is hardly worth saving.
Despite all that he suffers, Timothy has the resilience of many withdrawn children. He even begins to develop some supernatural powers. Phang and her expert crew execute some wonderful special effects to convey Timothy's paranormal vision. There are even a few brilliant animated sequences to suggest the boy's fears and imaginative powers. The picture is exceptionally well photographed by Aasulv Wolf Austad, and the music by Michael S. Patterson is haunting. Half-Life marks the debut of a promising, truly independent film artist.
HALF-LIFE
Fade to Blue Prods. in association with Mark E. Lee Prods. and Lane Street Pictures
Credits:
Screenwriter-director: Jennifer Phang
Producers: Reuben Lim, Alan T. Chan, Robert Zimmer Jr.
Executive producers: Dylan Shields, Mark E. Lee
Director of photography: Aasulv Wolf Austad
Production designer: Aiyana Trotter
Music: Michael S. Patterson
Co-producers: Ben Berkowitz, Anthony Begonia, Robert M. Chang, Kristian Hansen
Co-executive producers: Wendy Jean Bennett, Richard Hall
Editor: Harry Yoon
Supervising editor: Gloria Vela
Cast:
Pam Wu: Sanoe Lake
Timothy Wu: Alexander Agate
Saura Wu: Julia Nickson
Wendell Olson: Ben Redgrave
Scott Parker: Leonardo Nam
Jonah Robertson: Lee Marks
Richard Parker: James Eckhouse
Lorraine Parker: Susan Ruttan
Running time -- 107 minutes
No MPAA rating...
PARK CITY -- Sundance has been criticized in recent years for surrendering to Hollywood. Indeed, many of the movies in this year's dramatic competition have well-known actors in the cast, which is probably how they got made. But the festival still offers a showcase to truly independent filmmakers and highlights daring work that would otherwise never get any notice at all.
Half-Life, showing in the New Frontiers section, reminds us why Sundance was launched and why it continues to have value, despite all the swag and corporate sponsors. First-time writer-director Jennifer Phang demonstrates an original talent, and though the film has imperfections and sometimes shows the strains of its low budget, it is an imaginative and deeply affecting effort. Its boxoffice prospects are limited, but it will find appreciative audiences over time.
The film is set in the not-too-distant future, when TV newscasts inform us that global warming has begun to have drastic effects all over the world. But in a suburban neighborhood of northern California, an Asian-American family is undergoing a lot of the same stresses that have always plagued families. Saura (Julia Nickson) is a single mother raising daughter Pam (Sanoe Lake) and younger son Timothy (Alexander Agate). Her new live-in lover, the much younger Wendell (Ben Redgrave), is taking a distinctly unfatherly interest in Pam. For her part, Pam is fixated on a neighbor, Scott (Leonardo Nam), the adopted son of a fundamentalist couple. Scott, however, has recently discovered his homosexuality and is having an affair with a black teacher (Lee Marks).
All of the turmoil in these two households is piercingly caught by Phang. There are plenty of moments of dark humor in the interactions of the characters, but there is also real pain and anguish. Performances vary in quality. Nickson and Lake contribute astute portrayals, but some of the supporting actors are less effective. Redgrave is too callow to capture Wendell's tortured personality, and his psychotic behavior in the final reel is not fully convincing.
But the film rests on the performance of young Agate, and here Phang has scored a triumph. Much of the film is seen through his eyes, and he conveys a wisdom well beyond his years, along with the wounds of a sensitive boy ignored or abused by the people who should be looking after him. Although the film has harsh comments to make about America's contributions to an environmental crisis, its most passionate concern is with this young boy. If we can't pay attention to our children, Phang seems to say, the earth is hardly worth saving.
Despite all that he suffers, Timothy has the resilience of many withdrawn children. He even begins to develop some supernatural powers. Phang and her expert crew execute some wonderful special effects to convey Timothy's paranormal vision. There are even a few brilliant animated sequences to suggest the boy's fears and imaginative powers. The picture is exceptionally well photographed by Aasulv Wolf Austad, and the music by Michael S. Patterson is haunting. Half-Life marks the debut of a promising, truly independent film artist.
HALF-LIFE
Fade to Blue Prods. in association with Mark E. Lee Prods. and Lane Street Pictures
Credits:
Screenwriter-director: Jennifer Phang
Producers: Reuben Lim, Alan T. Chan, Robert Zimmer Jr.
Executive producers: Dylan Shields, Mark E. Lee
Director of photography: Aasulv Wolf Austad
Production designer: Aiyana Trotter
Music: Michael S. Patterson
Co-producers: Ben Berkowitz, Anthony Begonia, Robert M. Chang, Kristian Hansen
Co-executive producers: Wendy Jean Bennett, Richard Hall
Editor: Harry Yoon
Supervising editor: Gloria Vela
Cast:
Pam Wu: Sanoe Lake
Timothy Wu: Alexander Agate
Saura Wu: Julia Nickson
Wendell Olson: Ben Redgrave
Scott Parker: Leonardo Nam
Jonah Robertson: Lee Marks
Richard Parker: James Eckhouse
Lorraine Parker: Susan Ruttan
Running time -- 107 minutes
No MPAA rating...
- 1/24/2008
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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