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Alfred

2010
58m

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Alfred Levitt was perhaps the ultimate raconteur. He was a gifted storyteller, renowned artist, humanist, anarchist, sportsmen and spelunker. Born in Russia in 1894, he lived most of his life in the United States, where he died in May of 2000, at the age of 105.
The documentary is a "Rashomon" style look at his life and career from several points of view. The documentary begins with the standard premise that the filmmakers, having found a colorful character, need to build a cinematic pedestal to highlight and amplify the subjectÂ’s life affirming qualities. Time and reflection, however, cast their own baleful eye on these efforts, intruding with a simple question: Is this man really as great as he appears to be? Alfred is about ego, self-reflection, self-importance; and, ultimately, how one is perceived by others, and by history.
The filmmakers stumbled on Levitt, in 1995, while doing research for a documentary on Jack London. London had passed away in 1916, so the odds of finding anyone with first-hand knowledge were slim at best Â– until Levitt came along. He had attended lectures given by the famous author.
The filmmakers were friends of Levitt and filmed him during the last five years of his life. Divided into three parts; the first act, "The Wise Old Man," follows a standard documentary format, establishing our character as a charming charismatic character. The second act take a different POV; "Deconstructing Alfred," begins to probe into his personal life, his ego, strained relations with his wife and his philandering, all from the POV of people who knew him well. The last act, "Reconstructing Alfred," is redemption of a sort, as we follow him during the last months of his life.

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BiographyDocumentary

ALFRED is a one-hour documentary that explores the life and career of the renowned artist, humanist, sportsman and raconteur. Born in Russia in 1894, he lived most of his life in New York Ci... Read allALFRED is a one-hour documentary that explores the life and career of the renowned artist, humanist, sportsman and raconteur. Born in Russia in 1894, he lived most of his life in New York City, where he died in May of 2000, at the age of 105. The filmmakers met Levitt when he was... Read allALFRED is a one-hour documentary that explores the life and career of the renowned artist, humanist, sportsman and raconteur. Born in Russia in 1894, he lived most of his life in New York City, where he died in May of 2000, at the age of 105. The filmmakers met Levitt when he was already 100 years old. Their friendship blossomed into Pacific Street Films' latest produ... Read all