2011, 70 minutes

Who speaks for a divided community at the crossroads? “Between Two Worlds” is a groundbreaking personal exploration of the community and family divisions that are redefining American Jewish identity and politics. The filmmakers’ own families are battlegrounds over loyalty to Israel, interpretations of the Holocaust, intermarriage, and a secret communist past. Filmed in the U.S. and Israel, this first person documentary begins with a near riot at a Jewish Film Festival in San Francisco, reveals the agonizing battle over divestment from Israel on a university campus, and shows the crackdown on dissent in Israel itself. “Between Two Worlds” has the exhilarating energy and fierce commitment of Jewish conversation itself.

Cine Golden Eagle Award
World Premiere: Toronto Jewish Film Festival, 2011
U.S. Premiere: IFC Theater, New York, 2011
In Competition: Jerusalem International Film Festival, 2011
Broadcast – Free Speech TV, 2012
On the web at Docuseek: http://www.docuseek2.com/bf-btwo

“One of the best films I’ve ever seen about the contradictions of American Jewish life.”
—Peter Beinart

“Fascinating…provocative…candid…involving.”
—Critic’s Choice, Kenneth Turan, Los Angeles Times

To preview or purchase the film: www.bullfrogfilms.com
Institutional, community group, and home video rates available

2004, 62 minutes 

Global corporations are rapidly buying up local water supplies. Communities suddenly lose control of their most precious resource. “Thirst”, a character-driven documentary with no narration, reveals how water is the catalyst for explosive community resistance to globalization. A piercing look at the conflict between public stewardship and private profit. Shot in Bolivia, India, Japan and the USA. Spanish, French, and Portuguese subtitles.

Cine Golden Eagle Award
The Chris Award, Columbus International Film Festival
First Place, EarthVision Environmental Film Festival
World Premiere: Full Frame Film Festival, Durham
Hot Docs Film Festival, Toronto
Margaret Mead Film Festival, New York
World Social Forum, Porto Allegre

“A provocative look at the current and upcoming water wars. After seeing ‘Thirst’, it will be hard to ever take water for granted.” – San Francisco Chronicle

“See this film and be inspired to act.” Peter Gleick, Pacific Institute

PBS “P.O.V.”, 2004
www.pbs.org/pov/thirst

On the web at Docuseek: http://www.docuseek2.com/bf-thirst

To preview or purchase the film – www.bullfrogfilms.com/catalog/thirst.html
Institutional, community group, and home video rates available. With companion study guide.

A Book By Alan Snitow & Deborah Kaufman, with Michael Fox. Jossey-Bass, an imprint of Wiley & Sons, 2007, Cloth, 275 pages

Beginning where the documentary film leaves off, Thirst investigates eight recent high-profile controversies over the corporate takeover of water in the United States and illuminates how and why ordinary people are fighting back both here and abroad. Engrossing and alarming, these character-based stories focus on citizen battles to maintain public control of local water systems and on struggles to challenge the bottled water industry.

2008 Nautilus Book Awards Gold Winner – Conscious Media/Journalism

“A riveting and engaging account.”
Carl Pope, Sierra Club

“Passionate…every American should read it.” Maude Barlow, United Nations Senior Advisor on Water

C-Span book talk at Barnes and Noble, Stockton, CA:
http://www.c-span.org/video/?198437-1/book-discussion-thirst-fighting-corporate-theft-water

To purchase the book visit – www.amazon.com or
www.powells.com

2001, 60 minutes

A one hour documentary film revealing the hidden downsides of the Internet revolution. “Secrets” is also a funny and moving meditation on America’s love affair with technology. Told without narration, the film chronicles a tumultuous year in the lives of two young activists, Magda Escobar and Raj Jayadev, grappling with temporary work, the digital divide, toxic waste, and the growing gap between the haves and the have nots in the New Economy.

“Secrets of Silicon Valley’ is a hit.”
– The New York Times

“A great documentary. This could be the new Harvest of Shame.” Alex Bennett, C-Net Radio

“Secrets of Silicon Valley will make you think, reflect, discuss, argue. You won’t be seeing this on the network news.” Jan Wahl, KCBS Radio

“A pungent if sympathetic look at the undersung, underpaid hordes of blue-collar workers who do technology’s dirty work.” Variety

New York Times feature story:
http://www.nytimes.com/2001/05/07/us/san-jose-journal-filming-another-side-of-silicon-valley.html

PBS “Independent Lens”, 2001
On the web at Fandor

To preview or purchase the film – www.bullfrogfilms.com/catalog/ssv
Institutional, community group, and home video rates available.

With companion study guide:
http://www.bullfrogfilms.com/guides/ssvguide.pdf

1997, 85 minutes, Co-Produced with Bari Scott

An 85 minute feature length documentary film – made collaboratively by Jewish and Black filmmakers – examining key contemporary conflicts between the Black and Jewish communities. An invaluable tool for increasing mutual understanding and building coalitions for social justice, not just between Blacks and Jews, but among all groups.

“Provocative and absorbing…’Blacks and Jews’ will undermine stereotypes, inspire discussion and help repair a wrongly damaged relationship.” Roger Ebert

“This 85 minute film will ignite you!” Mandy Patinkin

New York Times feature story: http://www.nytimes.com/1997/07/20/arts/two-tales-of-once-great-expectations.html

Sundance Film Festival, 1997
PBS “P.O.V”, 1997
On the web at Fandor: https://fandor.com/films/blacks_and_jews

To preview or purchase the film – www.newsreel.org/films/blacks.htm
Institutional, community group, and home video rates available. With companion study guide:

http://newsreel.org/guides/blacksan.htm

1994, Four 1 hour shows
Co-Produced with Bari Scott and KPFA/Pacifica Radio

A four hour radio series looking at ethnic identity, stereotypes, racism and anti-Semitism, the Civil Rights Movement, and the potential future cooperation and conflict between the two ethnic groups. A cultural journey through music, storytelling, poetry and interviews throughout the U.S. With Cornel West, Michael Lerner, Henry Louis Gates, Letty Cottin Pogrebin, Anna Deavere Smith, Steven Spielberg, and Patricia Williams.

Available from Pacifica Program Service – 800-735-0230