Today I had the pleasure of interviewing an award-winning Canadian documentary director named John Zaritsky. I am writing an article about John's latest documentary, Leave Them Laughing, for the Ubyssey, the official campus newspaper. Leave Them Laughing, a documentary that looks at the lighter side of death, is going to be given a test screening by the UBC Film Society one week from now on November 23rd.
Leave Them Laughing is a "musical comedy about dying", documenting the story of Carla Zilbersmith, a Californian-Canadian singer and comedienne who was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease, or ALS, and given a year to live. I was fortunate enough to get a copy of the film from the director himself before doing the interview, and I found that the documentary he has created is a hilarious, deeply moving and thought-provoking film about a woman coming to terms with her own mortality. The film is based on a blog that Carla has been writing for some time (carlamuses.blogspot.com), and features Carla narrating her jokes and insights on life and death.
Leave Them Laughing is a "musical comedy about dying", documenting the story of Carla Zilbersmith, a Californian-Canadian singer and comedienne who was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease, or ALS, and given a year to live. I was fortunate enough to get a copy of the film from the director himself before doing the interview, and I found that the documentary he has created is a hilarious, deeply moving and thought-provoking film about a woman coming to terms with her own mortality. The film is based on a blog that Carla has been writing for some time (carlamuses.blogspot.com), and features Carla narrating her jokes and insights on life and death.
This film depicts Carla's feisty personality and humour, but is also very real in showing the serious effects this disease has on her life and on her family - specifically her son Maclen and father Jack. Overall, it is a postive film about an amazing woman and her determination to leave this world laughing.
When I met with director John Zaritsky today we talked about the bond he forged with Carla, and the reality that this movie depicts: that any adversity can be overcome with a little humour and a positive attitude.
Here is the trailer for the film:
Also, here is an interview John Zaritsky did with George Strouboulopoulos on CBC's The Hour, talking about his previous documentary The Suicide Tourist: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeZvM34H5so
I'll be sure to post my article when I'm finished writing it!
