A Yom Kippur Tragedy Is Another Sad Reminder of why our Film Matters.

Dear Friends,

Yesterday's horrific attack on the Heaton Park Congregation in Manchester, England has shaken Jewish communities worldwide and serves as yet another painful example of how quickly hateful rhetoric, amplified on social media, news outlets and on the streets of our cities can turn fatal. As someone who's been immersed in Holocaust and genocide history for well over a decade, I was alarmed when I saw how quickly Hamas' brutal October 7th attacks were weaponized on social media and on college campuses to re-victimize the victims of that massacre--before Israel even retaliated. Two years later, things have hit a boiling point. It is unconscionable that there are still 48 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and that tens of thousands of innocent Gazans are being killed in a war led by a prime minister acting on the worst impulses of his extremist, right-wing, religious cabinet. I mourn for the women, children, fathers, brothers, sisters and decent human lost. But I am hardly shocked that vitriol has turned into violence.

Hate speech leads to hateful acts.

I'm also hardly surprised that the jihadist terrorist accused in the Manchester massacre was under investigation for rape. Toxic misogyny is at the core of all extremism, whether from the left or the right. As Nuremberg prosecutor Ben Ferencz says so wisely in our film: "Rape and war go hand in hand."

So how do we correct course and counter this surging tide of hate and sexual violence? I believe in the power of storytelling. If all those viral videos and slogans can polarize us, we also can use images, words and people to bring us back together. That's what I hope to do with My Underground Mother.

Storytelling is fundamental to humanity. Stories survive long after we've passed. They humanize history, allow overlooked characters to emerge from the shadows and shine, and help us to heal individually and as a society.

Today is my mother's yarzeit, or the anniversary of her death on the Hebrew calendar. She died the day after Yom Kippur. I often wonder if there was any special meaning to her passing after the close of the holiest of our holidays. Did she complete her life's mission? Did she hide her past to allow me to unravel it decades later? How can I enrich humanity by sharing her story? And what about the sacred bonds I formed with the incredible women who broke their silence to share painful truths with me?

I find myself mourning for her all over again today, but also for the loss of our humanity, our ability to see each other as humans instead of pointing fingers at each other, retreating into polarized extremes and locking up our emotions to those we don't feel worthy of empathy. That approach landed us here. We must do better. We must share our stories and listen to others.

On that note, I'm determined to use my film to unite and to engage in deep, meaningful dialogue with those who may not be sympathetic to Jews or Israel right now. I am tired of boycotts, bans and petitions that ostracize artists for the sins of their political leaders. They are most likely their targets, so why punish them twice? Why shoot the messenger? Imagine the absurdity.

I'm excited to be headed to New Mexico for our Southwestern premiere at the Santa Fe International Film Festival in less than two weeks! We have two screenings lined up, so please join us or help us spread the word to friends and family in that gorgeous state. And please reach out if you'll be there. I want to meet you.

Santa Fe International Film Festival * Southwestern premiere
Wednesday Oct. 15th (opening day) @3:45 pm &
Thursday Oct 16th @6:30pm
Sky Cinemas, 1606 Alcaldesa Street, Santa Fe, NM
Q&A with director/ producer/writer Marisa Fox following the screening
For Tickets & More

Then I'll be flying right back to New York for ...

Film Columbia * East Coast premiere
Sunday Oct 19th @12pm
Crandell Theatre (grand reopening)
2 Park Row, Chatham, NY
Q&A with Marisa Fox & producer Deborah Shaffer following the screening
Advance Member Tickets go on sale 10/4
General Public Tickets go on sale 10/11
For Tickets & More

Still can't announce those upcoming dates but if you follow us on Instagram & Facebook you'll be the first to know.

Those who read our last newsletter may remember that we're honoring the Jewish New Year, 5786, with our 5786 challenge. Yes, we still need your help to fund lingering expenses like music licensing, post-production expenses, archival fees, film festival costs, including submission fees, distribution, insurance, travel and the like. It all adds up.

For $5,786: You get your name listed in the end credits, a pair of tickets to a festival screening near you and a signed poster.
For $578.60: You get a pair of tickets to a local festival with signed poster.
For $57.86: You get a signed poster.

I can't tell you how grateful I am for those who donated, whether in those increments or not.
Major thanks to:

Gretchen Young
Deborah Strochlic
Shari Basom

We really appreciate each & every donation.

As I finish this challenging newsletter, I'm filled with hope that the hostages will be released soon and that peace is near. News outlets are reporting that Hamas has accepted the latest deal. Though it may seem audacious to hope, we must. After all, I've been honored to listen to those who faced unspeakable tragedy and faced impossible odds to survive when they were so young. They taught me to never stop believing and fighting for humanity.

Thank you for your tax-exempt gift for My Underground Mother.

With that, wishing you a great weekend, Shabbat, New Year or whatever you observe.

And please write back! I love hearing from you.

xoxo
Marisa

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