The award-winning Port Jefferson Documentary Spring Film Series opened on Monday, April 5, and runs through May 24.
This season’s exciting lineup will explore topics such as the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline, Parkinson’s disease, seeking asylum, friendships, jazz, helicopter parenting, and self-imposed quarantine. Moderated by Tom Needham, host of The Sounds of Film at WUSB radio, each documentary is supplemented by a prerecorded Q&A with a guest speaker which can be accessed at home on YouTube.
A special screening of “Howie Mandel: But Enough About Me” was held at Harborfront Park. An intimate and provocative documentary, the film explores the life and career of Howie Mandel, a veteran comedian, actor, and producer, arguably most known for his battle with OCD and for being a judge on America’s Got Talent rather than for his considerable comedic genius.
The last four documentaries will each be screened at Harborfront Park at sundown. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 online or in person. Rain date is the next day.
Truman and Tennessee: An Intimate Conversation
Tuesday, May 4 at Harborfront Park
The documentary is a story of two of the greatest writers of the past century examined in a dialogue that stretches from their early days of friendship to their final, unsparing critiques of each other. Truman Capote and Tennessee Williams lived parallel lives and struggled with a lifelong pursuit of creativity, self-doubt, addiction, and success. Giving life to the dialogue and physicality to their relationship, Jim Parsons is the voice of Capote and Zachary Quinto is the voice of Williams. The guest speaker is Lisa Immordino Vreeland, director.
Ronnie’s
Monday, May 10 at Harborfront Park
Ronnie’s is a chronicle of the life of saxophonist Ronnie Scott, from a poor, Jewish kid growing up in 1940s East End, London to the owner of the legendary nightclub, Ronnie’s. Glorious clips from performances by jazz greats spanning decades — Dizzy Gillespie, Sarah Vaughn, Ella Fitzgerald, Jimi Hendrix, Nina Simone, Van Morrison, Chet Baker, and more — bring to life this story of a charming, talented man who secretly wrestled with his own inner demons. The guest speaker is Oliver Murray, director.
Chasing Childhood
Monday, May 17 at Harborfront Park
Overprotected and over directed, American children are wilting under the weight of well-meaning parents. This thoughtful film follows education professionals and reformed helicopter parents who seek and offer solutions for developing more confident, independent young people while restoring some joy and freedom to childhood. The guest speaker will be co-director Eden Wurmfeld.
Red Heaven
Monday, May 24 at Harborfront Park
A very timely film, Red Heaven explores what humans need to be happy, healthy, and sane. A crew of six non-astronauts from all over the world, chosen for their ability to survive isolation, embark on a one year mission in the Mars simulation station in a 1000 square foot dome on the red, rocky slope of a Hawaiian volcano in order to provide much-needed research for the future of space exploration. How do their mood and mental health change over time in this prescient exploration of self-imposed quarantine? Guest speakers will be Lauren DeFilippo & Katherine Gorringe, co-directors.
Purchase a $50 Spring series pass good for seven films. For more information, visit portjeffdocumentaryseries.com or call 631-473-5220.
-Port Jefferson Documentary Spring Film Series
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