X

I.M. Gelfand – Documentary

A Documentary Film – work in progress

Israel Gelfand is considered to be one of the greatest mathematicians of the 20th century. He was also my father. His significant contributions to mathematics are countless, unusually varied, and transformative. Or so I had been told. Among his achievements were well-known works in cell biology, joint works with medical doctors, and collaborations with physicists. Gelfand published over 800 papers and 30 books. I can count on one hand how many of those I read. He developed a revolutionary approach to teaching children advanced mathematics. And as his daughter, I was the beneficiary.
There is an Indian parable about the Blind Men and the Elephant. Six blind men wanted to learn what an elephant was. Each one touched a different part of the elephant’s body and claimed to know what an elephant was. And although each was partly right, not one of them had grasped what is an elephant.
The parable forgot to mention that it isn’t any easier for the daughter of the elephant to describe the elephant.
Who was he?
Five years after my father’s passing, with great trepidation, I find myself on a journey to find out who my father was. Where he came from. And how he came to immigrate with his new family to America, at the age of 76.
Only five years after Israel passed do I dare ask the questions that I have never dared to ask my father.
Papa, tell me your story. Tell me, where did you come from?

“How Do I Look in this Dress?” – webseries

In Episode 1 (Pilot), we’re introduced to our support group of clueless young men and their guru-in-the-ways-of-women, James Underhill. Three significant others have asked their men to comment on their new dresses, and the men fail miserably. They either try to dodge the question outright or give answers like, “Honey, you can pull off anything.” James gives them the secret, never-failing right answer.

Starring, in order of appearance:

:: Chelsea LaSage
:: Arthur Lazalde
:: Paul Young
:: Edward Brence
:: Alexandra Kopko
:: Collen Doyle
:: Lucy Gillespie
:: Dylan Combs
:: Brenan Grant

 

Co-Produced by Red Dancer, Tiger Belly, & One Forest Films

Written by Gordon Farrell

Directed by Tatiana Gelfand


Cinematographer, Jonathan Arevalo

Editors, David Uscinski & Tatiana Gelfand

Composer, Shane Searles

 

“Do You Know What Today is?”

In Episode 2, After fuming over the fact that their girlfriends will take an important  date and turn it into a guessing game, the men in our support group reluctantly reveal how they tried to answer this question and found themselves in deep shit for not remembering an “important occasion.” One of them even said, “Of course I do. It’s your birthday — right?” It wasn’t.

 

 

Starring, in order of appearance:

:: Chelsea LaSage
:: Arthur Lazalde
:: Paul Young
:: Edward Brence
:: Alexandra Kopko
:: Collen Doyle
:: Lucy Gillespie
:: Dylan Combs
:: Brenan Grant

 

Co-Produced by Red Dancer, Tiger Belly, & One Forest Films

Written by Gordon Farrell

Directed by Tatiana Gelfand

Cinematographer, Jonathan Arevalo

Editor, Tatiana Gelfand

Composer, Shane Searles

“Do You Think That Girl’s Pretty?”

Episode 4:

While hanging out at their favorite club on the Lower East Side, several of the guys got caught scoping out the hot new female bartender. Their significant others confront them with the question, “So, do you think that girl pretty?…Prettier than me?” Newcomer to the group, Charlie, thinks he has a fail-safe answer. But that just gets them into deeper trouble.  Finally, James gives them the perfect response.  Will the men use his advice?

>