New York Film Academy students, faculty, and administration recently welcomed producer Susan Margolin to a screening of A Tree Of Life on the New York City campus. The heart-wrenching documentary about the 2018 shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue was directed by Trish Adlesic. The film features interviews with survivors, their families, and friends in creating a portrait of the Pittsburgh community’s response to the tragic hate crime that took eleven lives. The screening and subsequent Q&A was organized by the NYFA DEI Programming Committee to commemorate Jewish American Heritage Month.
“Screening A Tree Of Life gave NYFA students an insightful perspective on what it takes to craft a powerful documentary that deals with a heart-wrenching tragedy,” said Neal Weisman, NYFA New York Producing Chair. “Producer Susan Margolin provided invaluable tips on how to navigate filming characters that have suffered immeasurable loss. The screening also offered NYFA students, faculty, and staff an opportunity to discuss the threat of anti-semitism and its prevalence in contemporary society. The screening was an important step in creating community through conversation.”
The broad-ranging post-screening conversation touched on several topics including the role of fiscal sponsors in the financing of documentary films, as well as the impetus brought to the project by executive producers (and Pittsburgh natives) Michael Keaton, Mark Cuban, and Billy Porter. Students and faculty alike were eager to discuss the trauma-informed filmmaking protocols used by the production when crafting a project that deals with such sensitive material. Producer Susan Margolin also addressed the impact campaign surrounding the film and its role in addressing antisemitism in the U.S. and beyond.
“It was very inspiring to hear Producer Susan Margolin speak of the power and acceptance that the film had in the Pittsburgh community. It was a true demonstration of how movies have the potential to serve as a platform for bringing attention to important topics in the world and to bring people together during a time of grief,” said One Year Producing student Caio Jordao. “This film effectively gave voice to both the survivors and victims of the tragedy that occurred at the Tree of Life Synagogue and posed relevant and valuable takeaways for the audience to leave with thinking towards the future in memory of the past.”
The New York Film Academy is very grateful for the opportunity to screen the film and speak with Susan Margolin. A Tree of Life: The Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting is currently available on HBO/MAX.