A film where dreams and the internet collide
Sunday, Jan. 22, 5:30 pm
TCC Roper Performing Arts Center
A 21st century real-life fairytale, Presenting Princess Shaw follows the life and dreams of Samantha Montgomery.
During the day, Montgomery cares for the elderly in a tough neighborhood in New Orleans, but at night, she writes and sings her songs as Princess Shaw on her confessional YouTube Channel.
Zip across the ocean, 7,000 miles to an Israeli Kibbutz where Ophir Kutiel, known as Kutiman, spends his day creating video mash-ups of amateur YouTube performers. A celebrated, pioneering video artist, he scavenges the web for talent, cutting and pasting musical snippets into multimedia art. He discovers Montgomery’s raw and moving voice and includes her in his work.
Does this script sound believable? It gets even more magical. Ido Haar, an award-winning Israeli documentary filmmaker decides to follow and film the want-to-be artists Kutiman targets. Creating an extraordinary film where dreams and the Internet collide, he captures their lives, their art, and the moment of finally being discovered.
Haar says, “There are so many people with so much talent, original thinking and unique voices. Most of them weren’t born with the ‘right cards in their hands‘ and don’t really have the access or ability to break into the often exclusive realms of music, art, and culture. What are the chances that we will hear about them?”
With this film, Haar suggests that the pervasive web can be a place of deep human connection, creativity and comradery.
This event includes a live performance by Princess Shaw following the film. A reception catered by TCC Culinary Arts students will take place at 5:30 pm prior to the film.
Tickets are $15; free for students with valid ID. TCC Roper Performing Arts Center is located at 340 Granby Street in Norfolk.
This Israel Today event is presented as part of the Simon Family JCC’s 24th Annual Virginia Festival of Jewish Film in partnership with the Community Relations Council of UJFT, and community partners. For film festival tickets and information, visit SimonFamilyJCC.org/ FilmFestival or call 757-321-2338.
For information on the Israel Today series, visit JewishVa.org/IsraelToday