From the darkness of Europe's death camps
to the lush mountains of New York's Catskills, Four Seasons Lodge
captures the final season for a community of Holocaust survivors who come
together each summer to celebrate their lives. Directed by New York
Times journalist Andrew Jacobs, beautifully photographed by a team
of filmmakers led by Albert Maysles (Salesman,Gimme Shelter,
Grey Gardens), Four Seasons Lodge is a counterintuitive
film about the Holocaust, one that captures the Lodgers' intoxicating
passion for living, which stands in bracing contrast to lives harrowed
by loss. The documentary is about tightly bonded friendships and the quest
for inner peace in spite of haunting memories, as experienced through
irresistibly compelling people and the richness of their intensely close
and communal lives. As one of the lodgers points out, "We live with the
past, and hope for a good future. When you compare the good times to the
bad times, we came out winners."
In 2005, Andrew Jacobs discovered and wrote about this Shangri-La as part
of a series on Catskills summer life. Astounded by their spirit, energy
and wit, he realized that a newspaper article alone could not do justice
to these remarkable people, their raucous poker games, intoxicating laughter
and dancing that goes on till dawn.
Last summer, a team of filmmakers went to videotape the Lodge. Four
Seasons Lodge, moving and entertaining, is the last chance to witness
a vanishing world and to meet the men and women who trumped Hitler's Final
Solution before they recede into history . The project is currently in
post-production, at Rainlake
Productions.
"This is our revenge on Hitler. To live this long, this well, is
a victory."
- Fran Lask, 82, a survivor of Bergen-Belsen
Learn more about The Campers
Download the Full Story as a PDF
02.15.08 Amazing news: In an act of incredible
generosity and faith, the Rosenthal Charitable Trust, on behalf of Monica
and Philip Rosethal, has made a contribution to the film which vastly
narrows our need for completion funding. We're almost there! It's difficult to find the words
to properly express our gratitude, and our appreciation for so much faith shown by so many people,
in the project.
01.11.08 As the film is in solid rough-cut work-in-progress stage, we've begun submitting to festivals, and sharing with a close circle of friends, to garner feedback; which, so far, is incredible.
10.9.07 Four Seasons Project is thrilled to have been recognized as one of the 50 most innovative Jewish nonprofits in North America, in the just-published Slingshot 07.08. (more below...) 
Slingshot is a guidebook and catalyst for next-generation funding, published by 21/64, a nonprofit consulting division of The Andrea and Charles Bronfman Philanthropies. Each year, 50 of the most innovative organizations from the U.S. and Canada make the cut after an extensive evaluation process overseen by 25 foundation professionals. Four Seasons is honored to be selected by such an inspired project.
10.4.07
Plans for our Oct. 28 screening of selects from the rough cut in Forest Hills have solidified. There's a great group out there, many of whom were Catskills vacationers themselves, and many of whom are survivors. It should be a really intense experience.
07.26.07
We've tripled our efforts to finely detail, log and transcribe, to completion,
every potentially essential bit of the 225 tapes. Some segments are going to out-of
-house transcribers, which pushes our budget line a bit, but more support continues to come in, and most of the work is done in-house, with our incredibly overly-qualified post-production assistant volunteers, with whom we've
mapped out some new strategies.
07.24.07
We held an internal screening of about four hours of roughly assembled material, and broke out into a serious writing conversation. The themes of the work emerge stronger and stronger, and we can see all the pieces coming together.
07.20.07
We will be working with some friends at another non-profit, to oversee the development and publishing of the curricular materials that will accompany the film. A good number of educators from around the country have offered their experience and wisdom, and we will be reaching out to them to coordinate efforts, beginning in a few weeks.
07.12.07
Amazing news: The Foundation for Jewish Culture's Fund for Jewish Documentary
Filmmaking has just announced that we are receiving one of their completion
grants this year - a whole $25,000 - which means that, as it comes in,
we've broken the halfway mark on funding to complete the film! Thanks
so much to all your support and belief - people have really
entrusted us, and believe in the potential of the film.
07.2.07
As the Lodge has a bit of an undetermined future, the Lodgers have returned
for one last final summer, this past weekend... And director Andrew, with
Avi on camera, and post-production assistants Dan and Stephanie on second
camera, sound, and general support, also went up. We're doing quick pick-up
shoots, now that we have the opportunity to think about the edit, and
what elements we need to fill in. Avi, Andrew, Dan and Alana will go up
for one Saturday (and one party), this coming weekend.
06.23.07
Major funding continues to come in, making the film work possible. Though
the budget has crept up slightly, recent funding from the Hartley Film
Foundation, the Lily Auchincloss Foundation, Kathi and Peter Arnow, and
Ralph Marash, is allowing us to move forward, full-steam ahead. You can
see a full list of our major funders by
clicking here.
06.15.07
We've brought in some help to translate the Polish and Yiddish conversation in the raw material, provided by some great folks, for a token remuneration.
05.25.07
Our May 22nd fundraiser was a huge success - thanks to all of you, and to our incredible and intrepid interns and volunteers, who went above and beyond to make the evening a success. We raised $7,851 from the event, and $17,851, if you count the grant from the Auchincloss discretionary fund that was inspired by the night, and a matching grant from the Rosenwald Foundation.
Join Us for a cocktail reception to benefit
"Four Seasons Lodge"
A documentary in post-production
Tuesday May 22, 2007
6:30 - 8:30 PM
Sara Meltzer Gallery
525-531 W 26th Street NYC
Selections from the film will be shown.
All contributions will be acknowledged in the credits of the film:
Special Thanks: $25+
Friends of the film: $100+
Funders: $1,000+
Major Funders: $10,000+
RSVP to: 646.723.4559 or StephanieH@fourseasonsmovie.org
Musical performance by composer Eric Lewis.
Drinks courtesy of 44 North, Shango Rum, and XS Energy Drink.
Hors D'Oeuvre by Chef Rich Sullivan of Louie's Westside Cafe.
04.17.07 Some of the Lodgers convene to talk about the upcoming summer. Their gathering is filmed by Avi, with assistance by new intern-volunteer Dan Fridman.
04.15.07 Yom Hashoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day: Charles and Pola Swietarsky, from the Lodge, Andrew Jacobs, and some of the crew, go out to Temple Beth Shalom in Park Ridge, NJ, to talk about the project. The congregation asks some amazingly inciteful and tough questions, Charles and Pola are very moving. We're all grateful that outreach coordinator Amy Fiedel has put this together.
03.18.07 We've been joined by more volunteers, helping us to log, transcribe and make notes on our more than 200 hours of footage.
02.28.07 It's on! The Lodgers have been granted a reprieve, and will be returning for one final summer, 2007!
02.12.07
The outreach efforts, especially thanks to our point person Amy Fiedel,
are going swimmingly well. Many orgs have forwarded info about the in-process
film, and three or four have invited us to come and show excerpts, bring
the Lodgers, and talk about the project. People seem to really want this
to happen, which is thrilling. We're talking with the Museum of Jewish
Heritage about doing an event, and local JCCs and Congregations have invited
the director to visit. It's an auspicious rolling-out of the project.
01.26.07
We've got a rough-cut of the six-minute trailer. It looks beautiful. Rainlake
is taking it to Realscreen to show it around.
01.7.07
Interviews with editors continue.
12.20.06 Donations continue to trickle in, which keeps our forward motion
going. We're putting out the word that we're looking for an editor, and
placing notices with colleges that we're looking for interns. One piece
of our editing strategy is to break all the pieces of tape down into logged
segments - which creates opportunity for interns to learn editing, and
creates a need for interns. We're also trying to transcribe many of our
200+ hours. We've more formalized our relationship with Kelly Sheehan,
who's on board as an Executive Producer to help us fundraise. Kelly's
expertise includes reaching out to grantors and foundations. At her suggestion,
we've posted a listing for an Outreach Intern.
12.8.06
We've begun editing our trailer! This is very exciting - not only will
it be a pivotal tool for fundraising and getting word out about the film,
it's also the first chance for us to delve more deeply into what the film
is about.
12.3.06
We've brought Associate Producer Elyssa Hess into the fold, full-time.
Elyssa brings a lot of experience studying and working in post in college,
and were happy she can apply that knowledge to our 200+ hours of tapes.
We've expanded our volunteer/intern pool to include Martin Rajec and Boon
Fox. And we're looking to see if we can have another fundraiser. We've
been getting advice from funders and fundraisers. Meanwhile, as we parse
the footage we're also conceiving an Education Plan. We know this doc
will be great for students, and want to be sure we have the right materials,
and the right partners to develop those materials.
11.30.06
We re-cut our Selects from the Work-in-Progress, and it looks beautiful.
Additionally, we've just held a fundraiser (thank Steven Rubenstein for
lending us his home). We got to unveil the piece of work we've done, and
response was really satisfying. Even with this one fragment, people seem
to get into it. Very inspiring. Additionally, Hymie Abromowitz (a prominent
lodger, and piece of the doc) came to the screening, and everyone was
excited to meet him. Even Albert Maysles came to the event - So that was
a success. We really have to thank Karen Ching for volunteering to put
the whole thing together. She has an amazing skill at handling events.
10.2.06
Our Work-In-Progress Selects Preview is finally ready to go public (after
two intense weeks of writing and cutting with new Assistant Editor Vicky).
Check out the link.
10.1.06
Tony Kushner officially endorses the project by joining our Advisory
Board!
09.8.06
The Times-Record Herald publishes
great articles on both the Lodgers and the film.
09.6.06
We move in with Rainlake
Films, as they take on some responsibilities for producing the film
in association with us. Rainlake is an incredible crew. The production
office is now located at 106 Franklin St., 3rd floor, NYC, 10013. We unpack
all our footage, and begin to digitize and make dubs. This project is
going to be so incredible and intense. We have over 200 hours of material
to work from. We're attempting to put together a trailer and rough clips
sequence in the next few weeks.
09.23.06
The last day at the Lodge - it's really strange. Tearful goodbyes.
09.22.06
The last party at the Four Seasons Lodge is emotional - Will this be their
last party together? Deli meats are served, arranged beautifully on the
platters (the Lodgers prepare the meals and the hall together). The performer
is very lounge, he has an incredible voice. Just about everyone dances,
including Hymie. Hymie also reads a poem, in Yiddish, summoning up all
their years together. We've brought up two cameramen, to capture as much
as we can. It's incredibly cold out - it rains all weekend again. Nature
seems to agree that this is a sad occasion, and summer is ending all too
abruptly.
Earlier on Saturday, Justin and Matt sit in on the Shabbat service in
the Shul. We find ourselves wondering about faith, religion and community.
Both make some efforts to follow the prayers - though they're read at
a rapid clip. At the Saturday lunch, Hymie passes out a poem for the new
year.
08.28 - 29.06
Albert Maysles returns to shoot at Four Seasons, has an incredible time.
The crew is moved by his amazing stories.
09.27.06
With the Lodgers support - Avi, under the direction of Jacobs, films a
sequence of them playing cards, focusing on their tattoos. We're grateful
to be working with people who so readily open up their lives to us.
08.17.06
Two new filmmakers have joined the Advisory
Board - and are offering their support and advice. Donations continue
to trickle in. We begin asking people to help us put together a fundraising
committee.
Aug. '06:
NEXTBOOK READER ("A Gateway to Jewish Literature, Culture & Ideas") has
written us up on their site.
07.31 - 08.06.06
Avi Kostoriano is filming at the Lodge, the first four days by himself.
Avi is from Israel, and the Lodgers really take to him. He's invited in
for soup, lunches and dinners. One thing we don't have to worry about
much on location is food.
07.16.06
Everyone who's gone up to meet the folks at the Lodge (including back-up
sound guy Dan Izens) have been incredibly moved. There's something about
their perspective - it's inexplicable. It's a profoundly warm-hearted,
but sharp, pragmatic optimism. It's a good thing we're making a documentary,
and can show them, because it's incredibly hard to relate in text.
July:
Filmmaker Magazine has written up the project in their Summer issue. It's
gratifying to see this kind of support and attention. We're beginning
to feel that people in the film world realize this is a story that hasn't
been told before. We're also talking with Rainlake Films about forming
some kind of partnership to share the production. They're very strong
in post-production, and have done some solid films. We've begun looking
at the first of the footage, now transfered to VHS, and we begin to see
themes.
07.1 - 07.4.06
Our first full season shoot begins, with Maestro Albert Maysles, returning
from a visit to Haiti just the previous day. Al is in fine form along
with the rest of the crew... Highlights of the weekend include Saturday
night at the Casino, in which folks get dressed up, dine, and then dance
to live entertainment from a band and Russian torch singer Irina Fogelson.
The men break briefly to attend Schul. The crew also captures the town
of Ellenville's 4th of July festivities aided by Four Seasons Lodger Sam;
nightly card games, and colorful conversations unfolding on the balmy
lawns of the Four Seasons.
06.17.06
Andrew J and cameraman Avi Kastoriano film Helga Grunberg and her daughter(s)
in Queens and then head up to the Lodge for a day of reminiscence about
the place over the years. Helga is grief-stricken that the Lodge has been
sold and decided to rent her place out this last summer.
04.06 - 06.06
Justin S., Andrew F., Avi, Todd and Christian shoot numerous preliminary
background interviews of Four Seasons Lodgers, including Joe Fox, Esther
Geizhals and companion Sydney, Charles and Pola Swietarski, and Victor
and Regina Lewis. The interviews are shot in peoples' year-round homes
around the NY metro area. They provide an insightful and fascinating look
at the survivors' stories and post-war lives, in contrast to footage being
shot over the summer, which will be more aimed at capturing the day in
and day out events, and the summer rhythm, of life at the Four Seasons
Lodge.
05.9.06
Hymie and Carl open up the Lodge: dealing with plumbing, electricity,
leaks. The filmmakers can feel its history, and realize that the place
itself has an amazing character.
03.23 - 03.24.06
Andrew J. and Justin S. spend two days down in Miami recording the stories
of two Four Seasons longtimers, Anita Skorecky and Helga Gruenberg, in
and around their homes.
03.9.06
Flights are being booked, arrangements made for Andrew J. and Justin .
03.1.06
Funding requests have begun to go out. For more information,
click here
01.06.06
Albert Maysles comes on board as Director of Photography: On January 2nd,
coproducer Matthew Pond and director Andrew Jacobs met with Mr. Maysles
to discuss his involvement. The award-winning cinematographer is really
excited about the project, and meeting the folks at the Four Seasons Lodge.
To learn more,
click here