[Archived from September 11, 2009]
Did you know that the Barbie doll was created by a Jewish woman?
For filmmaker Tiffany Shlain, that fact was the launching pad for an 18-minute short film, “The Tribe,” that weaves together archival footage, graphics, animation, Barbie dioramas, and slam poetry to take audiences on an electric ride through the complex history of both the Barbie doll and the Jewish people- from Biblical times to present day.
By tracing Barbie’s history, the film sheds light on the questions: What does it mean to be an American Jew today? What does it mean to be a member of any tribe in the 21st Century?
In fact, Shlain sees her film as “an appetizer for discussion and discussion is the main course.”
The women of the community will have an opportunity to enjoy the “appetizer” – a showing of “The Tribe” – and the “main course” – a discussion with the filmmaker – as the Jewish Community of Louisville invites them to “Breakfast with Tiffany” on Thursday, September 24, at 6:45 p.m. They’ll also have the opportunity to indulge in breakfast for dinner at Wild Eggs, 1311 Herr Ln.
The cost, $30 per person, includes a breakfast buffet, cocktails and a donation to Nechama – the Jewish Response to Disaster. Nechama has been in Louisville for the last month helping homeowners deal with the aftermath of the August floods.
“We’re really excited to be bringing Tiffany to Louisville,” said Event Chair Julie Strull. “It’s a great opportunity for all the women of the community to come together for a fun night out. We’ll be able to see a cool short film, hear from its producer, hang out with our girlfriends and learn about the Jewish Community of Louisville. I’m looking forward to seeing my friends and hoping to see some new faces as well.”
Shlain is a veteran filmmaker, whose movies have been selected to be shown at over 80 film festivals around the world, including Sundance, Tribeca and Rotterdam.
For “The Tribe,” Shlain co-wrote the film with her husband, Ken Goldberg, an acclaimed artist and professor of robotics at the University of California, Berkeley, and her long-time collaborator, art director Gil Gershoni of Gershoni Design. The film also showcases celebrated spoken word artist Vanessa Hidary, who has appeared on HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, special animations by Stefan Nadelman and a score by composer Paul Godwin.
Shlain lectures worldwide and has served as the on-air Internet expert for “Good Morning America.” Currently, she is the director of The Moxie Institute, an oranization that creates media and experiences around social issues using emerging technologies.
Please reserve your place by September 15 by contacting Amy at 618-5310 or amyl@jcfl.com or online at www.jewishlouisville.org.
The fair market value of this event is $22 and is not tax deductible. Kosher meals available upon request.
Members of the Event Committee are Chair Julie Strull, Caren Bailen,Bari Calderon, Orit Goldstein, Joy Kaplan, Joanie Lustig, Hope Patterson, Shannon Rothschild, YAD Co-Chair Jennifer Tuvlin and Melanie Wachsman.