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Kelly DeVine

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'Every Little Thing' will be screened on March 13

By Tara Mae

As we become more dependent on home screening services, the social element of going out and experiencing a film together becomes a special occasion. The award-winning Port Jefferson Documentary Series (PJDS) returns for the Spring 2025 season with accounts of individual feats and community achievements that are worth leaving home to see. 

Presented by the Greater Port Jefferson Arts Council (GPJAC), all screenings will be held at The First United Methodist Church, 603 Main Street in Port Jefferson, on select Thursdays between March 6 and April 24 with a start time of 7 p.m. 

‘Dust to Dust,’ below, will be shown on April 10.

Stories traverse topics featuring the historical accomplishments of women in politics; environmental integrity and enterprise; socio-economic factors of fashion; celebration of self-expression; friendships forged from shared struggles; and moments of triumph amid tribulations. This season’s documentaries investigate the impact of individual acts of courage and compassion. 

They acquaint audiences with persons and perspectives, situations and sensibilities that they may otherwise not encounter.

“PJDS looks for a high-level of craft as well as a depth of emotional connection. We are also attuned to the opportunities provided by a film to spark local collaborations or to showcase local voices as part of the overall screening experience,” said Kelly DeVine, Board Member and Chair of film programming at GPJAC.

After many of the screenings there will Q&As between the audience and guest speakers associated with the documentaries’ productions or subject matter, or an event with a local community outreach partner. Tom Needham, executive producer and host of “Sounds of Film” on WUSB, will moderate discussions for three of the films. 

‘Man from Pretentia’ will be screened on April 3.

And there will be other interactive elements, such as an upcycled fashion show. Arranged and emceed by Marcela Pinzon, owner of The Fashionable Stylista, a fashion design school in Syosset, the show will model her students’ upcycled designs: clothing deconstructed and re-sewn into new articles; repairs incorporated into new patterns, etc. 

“We have been trying to bring more community groups into the post-screening planning to increase our collaborations, reach new audiences and craft post screening activities that reflect the spirit or the topic of the film. PJDS is more than a movie night, it’s a community event,” DeVine explained.

Sponsored by Maggio Environmental Waste Collection, Dumpster Rentals & Recyclin, Metal Masters, Paumanok Veterinary Hospital, Covati & Janhsen CPAs PC, and Port Jeff Storage Inc. with a Suffolk County grant from the Suffolk County Office of Cultural Affairs & the Suffolk County Film Commission, the series is a symbiotic exercise in communal conversation. 

“We strive to get people off their tiny smart phone screens and enjoy a much larger screen as a community gathering,” GPJAC chairman Allan Varela said in an email. 

PJDS aims to foster interest not only in the arts, but in each other.

“Part of the benefit is that the PJDS has won Best Film Festival award in the Best of Long Island contest nine years in a row,” Varela continued. “We compete against Gold Coast, Huntington, Stony Brook and the Hamptons [film festivals], among others…Our stature brings in audience from all over the Island and therefore into the Village of Port Jefferson.”

Art in general, and PJDS specifically, is an avenue through which individuals may find common ground. 

This season begins with Shaking It Up: The Life and Times of Liz Carpenter on March 6. 

The film explores the story of the eponymous woman who was witness to and involved in some of the most historically significant moments of the 20th century, as among her many roles, she was the first female executive assistant to a vice president for Lyndon B. Johnson and then press secretary for Lady Bird Johnson. A conversation with director Abby Ginzberg will follow.

In Every Little Thing on March 13 filmmaker Sally Aiken profiles bird rehabilitator Terry Masear, who has devoted her life to saving and protecting hummingbirds in the Los Angeles area. The screening will be followed by a conversation with Terry Masear, Dr. Carl Safina, Patricia Paladines of the Institute for the Conservation of Tropical Environments, and Dr. Maria Bowling.

A Man with Sole: The Impact of Kenneth Cole on March 20 follows the career of fashion designer Kenneth Cole and how his professional success supports his philanthropy. Director Dori Berinstein will join a Q&A via Zoom. 

Facing the Wind on March 27 examines the connection forged between two women as they care for their spouses stricken with Lewy Body dementia. Director Deirdre Fishel will join the post-film discussion in person with Cindy Morris of the Benson Agency.

Man from Pretentia on April 3 is tender portrait of “quirky” art dealer, Paul Bridgewater, who became a fixture of the Downtown NYC art scene. The screening will be followed by a conversation with Director Chih Hsuan Liang and producer Steve Zehentner.

Dust to Dust on April 10 chronicles haute couture designer Yuima Nakazato’s realizations about the detrimental effect of “fast fashion” on the world and how he shifts his attentions to sustainable fashion. Resources on recycling and a upcycled fashion show led by the head of The Fashionable Stylista academy of Syosset, Marcela Pinzon will follow the screening.

The season closes with Front Row on April 24 which showcases the Ukrainian National Ballet’s poignant company tour as it performs far from the frontlines and invites a soldier who lost his legs to partake in a singular performance. The screening is followed by a discussion about the film and Ukraine with Professor Juliette Passer of Stony Brook University.

Selected by PJDS co-chairs DeVine and Wendy Feinberg, the films are sourced from number of different festivals: DocNYC, Tribeca, Sundance, etc. Personal industry connections, honed from years of working on this and other series, also helped shape the lineup. 

Contenders were then voted on by a team of long-term PJDS board members and volunteers, including DeVine and Feinberg; community outreach coordinator Barbara Sverd; co-chair emeritus Lyn Boland; Denies Livieri; Yvonne Lieffrig; Ronnie Levy; and, Lise Poulos.

The group shares a commitment to seeking and sharing documentaries that enhance human understanding as they invoke personal insights.  

“PJDS is always looking for films that offer distinct points of view, that open up new ways of looking at the world and that provide opportunities to reflect on the connections we may share however far-flung or different the story may appear initially,” DeVine said. “All of our films will offer great experiences and each brings its own emotional tone and opportunity for connection.”

Individual film tickets are $10 each while a season pass is $58. For more information about the PJDS or to reserve your seat, visit www.portjeffdocumentaryseries.com.

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'Bike Vessel' will kick off the series in Port Jefferson on Feb. 27. Photo courtesy of Independent Lens
Watch the film & join the conversation

Independent Lens has announced the launch of the new season of Indie Lens Pop-Up, the long-running screening series that brings people together for community-driven conversations around its thought-provoking documentaries. The free event series will include in-person screenings in more than 100 cities across the U.S. including Port Jefferson, Stony Brook, Centereach and Selden, thanks to a partnership with The Greater Port Jefferson-Northern Brookhaven Arts Council (GPJAC).

Middle Country Public Library’s Centereach branch will screen ‘Free for All: The Public Library’ on April 11. Photo courtesy of Independent Lens

Through its roster of five documentary projects, Indie Lens Pop-Up will ignite conversations on a range of topics, including a Cambodian American basketball prodigy, the American institution of public libraries, and the history of funk music. This season’s topics also aim to expand perspectives through deeply personal stories, like what it means to live with Alzheimer’s disease and the bond between father and son. The screenings, which are approximately 60 minutes long, will be followed by impactful post-screening activities ranging from panel discussions to performances.

Each film will eventually make its television debut on PBS and will be available to stream on the PBS app.

Since its inception in 2005, more than 7,200 Indie Lens Pop-Up events have brought an estimated 430,000 participants together to discuss issues that impact local communities.

“We’re so excited to continue these Indie Lens Pop-Up screenings that not only advance independent stories, but continue to bring together local communities across the U.S.,” said Beatriz Castillo, senior director of engagement operations at Independent Television Service (ITVS), the production arm of PBS which produces Independent Lens.

“The Greater Port Jefferson – Northern Brookhaven Arts Council (GPJAC) is delighted to join the Indie Lens Pop-Up program as screening partner. We welcome the chance to support these award-winning films while having the opportunity to craft impactful activities with our venue and community partners such as the Middle Country Public Library, the First United Methodist Church and the Long Island Museum,” said Kelly DeVine, Board Member and Chair of film programming at GPJAC

“Supporting independent artists and filmmakers is at the center of our work,” added Allan Varela, Chair of the GPJAC. “And getting to collaborate with our community partners to raise up their work is icing on the cake.”

The Indie Lens Pop-Up 2024-2025 lineup includes the following documentaries: 

‘Bike Vessel’

■ Bike Vessel by Eric D. Seals will be screened at the First United Methodist Church, 603 Main St., Port Jefferson on Thursday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. In this portrait of familial love, father Donnie Seals Sr. undergoes a transformation after several medical crises and, at age 70, embarks on a long-distance cycling trip with his son. 

A panel discussing the health, social and infrastructure issues raised by the film with a cardiologist, a representative from a safe transportation organization and a librarian from Port Jefferson Free Library will follow. Register here.

 

‘Home Court’

■ Home Court by Erica Tanamachi heads to the Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook on Tuesday, April 1 at 7 p.m. The film traces the ascent of Ashley Chea, a Cambodian American basketball prodigy whose life intensifies amid recruitment, injury, and triumph throughout her high school career. 

The screening will be followed by a panel of SBU and local high school athletes and coaches discussing the challenges of transitioning from high school to college as a female and Cambodian American athlete.

‘Free for All: The Public Library’

■ Free for All: The Public Library by Dawn Logsdon and Lucie Faulknor will be screened at the Middle Country Public Library, 101 Eastwood Blvd., Centereach on Friday, April 11 at 6 p.m. The documentary tells the story of the U.S. public library system—a simple idea that shaped a nation and the quiet revolutionaries who made it happen.

The event will be followed by a “library fair” where MCPL representatives across the library’s departments show all the ways libraries serve their communities.

‘We Want the Funk’

■ We Want the Funk by Stanley Nelson will be screened at Middle Country Public Library, 575 Middle Country Road, Selden on Sunday, May 4 at 2 p.m. The documentary is a syncopated voyage through the history of funk music, from early roots to 1970s urban funk and beyond and will be followed by a short live funk music band performance and discussion on how the genre is still influential today.

‘Matter of Mind: My Alzheimer’s’

■ Matter of Mind: My Alzheimer’s by Anna Moot-Levin and Laura Green will be screened at the Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook on Tuesday, June 3 at 7 p.m. The documentary explores how three families confront the challenges of Alzheimer’s, focusing on how the disease transforms identities and relationships and will be incorporated into a full program of dementia events with speakers and resources.

To register for these free documentaries, please visit www.gpjac.org or click here.

Photos courtesy of Independent Lens

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A scene from 'Checkpoint Zoo' which will be screened on Oct. 17.

By Tara Mae

Like the next chapter in an ongoing serial, the Port Jefferson Documentary Series (PJDS) returns with new tales to tell in its fall season. Running on select Thursdays between September 5 and November 7 at 7 p.m., seven distinct films explore the strands of connection that galvanize and unite people despite social, economic, and geographic divides.

Held at a new location, the First United Methodist Church in Port Jefferson, the screenings explore interpersonal relationships, honed in common cultures or communal responsibility. 

“When the program began to take shape, that celebration of community became apparent and guided this season’s curation process,” PJDS co-chair Kelly DeVine said. 

Following the documentaries, there will be Q&A sessions between patrons and guest speakers associated with the films’ productions or subject matter.  

Tom Needham, executive producer and host of “Sounds of Film” on WUSB, will reprise his role of moderator for four of the films, leading post-viewing discussions. The moderators of the other three films have yet to be announced. 

This personable exchange invites deeper understanding between artists and attendees, both in intent and practice. 

“There is a theme running through all seven films despite coming from different continents and approaches. That theme is the importance of community and small “d” democracy — citizen engagement and agency,” DeVine said.

Sponsored by Maggio Environmental; Metal Masters; Covati & Janhsen, CPAs; Port Jeff Storage; and the accounting firm of Saranto Calamas, CPA with support from Suffolk County and the Greater Port Jefferson-Northern Brookhaven Arts Council, the Series begins with Happy Campers which chronicles families, both found and of blood, choosing to enjoy the last days in a blue-collar summer colony as they contend with their imminent eviction from the seasonal trailer park that has been sold to developers.

One Person, One Vote? investigates the complications and intricacies of the apparently enigmatic Electoral College as it follows four presidential electors of different parties during the 2020 presidential election. 

Join or Die traces the devolution of the United States’ civic structure over the span of 50 years, through the lens of scientist Robert Putnam’s career and research.

Invisible Nation provides uncommon access to Tsai Ing-wen, the first woman President of Taiwan, and examines the delicate balance she must maintain between the interests of China and the United States. 

Checkpoint Zoo depicts the residents of the Feldman Ecopark animal rescue in Ukraine as well as the courageous zookeepers and volunteers who risk their lives to save the nearly 5,000 creatures from the crosshairs of conflict during the early days of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 

It’s Basic traces the expansion of the Guaranteed Basic Income program and how, as it gains popularity, it attracts pushback amidst increasing social and economic disparities. 

Searching for Amani chronicles the journey of 13-year-old Kenyan aspiring journalist Simon Ali who, with the help of his best friend Haron, investigates his father’s mysterious death. 

(For dates and times, please see Film Schedule below)

“Documentaries provide a unique perspective on real-life events and issues, allowing us to learn about the world beyond our own experiences. We can learn about places and people we know just a little about or get a more in-depth look at issues or people or subjects,” PJDS co-chair Wendy Feinberg said.

This season’s nuanced community focus on the screen aligns with the community cohesion behind-the-scenes. Shared passion for a story well-told continues to inspire the team that produces PJDS.  

“What intrigues me is the sense of discovery that dawns when you see a film that opens up a puzzle, reveals a hidden world or unwraps the interior life of someone fascinating,” PJDS co-chair emeritus Lyn Boland said.  

Pre-screened by PJDS’ film board and a selection of long-time volunteers, the documentaries, which this season were chosen by DeVine and co-chair Wendy Feinberg, elucidate as they entertain. 

“For 20 years I have watched documentaries with a critical eye, searching for what I thought would be a perfect fit for our audience. I looked for the basic elements: does it tell a story, what can I learn from it, is there a balance between talking heads and a good narrative,” PJDS community outreach coordinator Barbara Sverd said.

Such attention to detail and dedication extends beyond the board, consisting of DeVine, Boland, Sverd, and Feinberg. 

“We could not put on our fun, friendly events without our amazing volunteers Yvonne Lieffrig, Denise Livieri, Honey Katz, Suzanne Velazquez, Ronnie Levy, and Lise Poulos along with our tech wizard, Jeuel Bryant,” DeVine said. 

With a steadfast support system, PJDS’ upcoming season is a multifaceted testament to the ambition, artistry, and acumen found when a group of individuals come together in support of a common cause.  

“Programming for the film series rests on curating work that resonates with our audience and which lends itself to connecting our audiences to a meaningful communal experience,” DeVine said.

Film Schedule:

 

◆ The Fall 2024 season kicks off with a screening of Happy Campers on Sept. 5. The film chronicles the final days of a working-class summer colony in a scrappy trailer park that just happens to hold the secret to a rich life. When their affordable paradise is sold to developers, the residents brace for eviction and the loss of friendships that span generations. Guest speaker will be Director Amy Nicholson.

◆ One Person, One Vote?, to be screened on Sept. 12, unveils the complexities of the Electoral College, the uniquely American and often misunderstood mechanism for electing a president. Panel discussion including Maximina Juson, the director, and Nancy Marr from the League of Women Voters to follow.

◆ Next up is Join or Die on Sept. 26, a film about why you should join a club … and why the fate of America depends on it. In the spirit of the film’s theme, the PJDS will host various local volunteer & civic groups to join in conversation about our community. Please consider bringing a small dessert to share. Bring a sweet, make a new friend and join a group!

◆ After a brief hiatus, the season continues with Invisible Nation on Oct. 10. With unprecedented access to Taiwan’s sitting head of state, director Vanessa Hope investigates the election and tenure of Tsai Ing-wen, the first female president of Taiwan. Q&A discussion to follow.

◆ Checkpoint Zoo on Oct. 17  delves into the gripping account of a daring animal rescue that unfolded during the early days of the Russian-Ukrainian War, where over 5,000 animals were trapped in a besieged Feldman Ecopark. Panel discussion to follow including the director Joshua Zeman on Zoom.

◆ It’s Basic on Oct. 24 brings the issue of Guaranteed Basic Income (GBI) to national light by following the progress of the program against a backdrop of widening income gaps, politics, and growing social concern. Panel discussion to follow with coordinating producer Elizabeth Sehring.

◆ The season concludes with the heartfelt Searching for Amani on Nov. 7. In the heart of Kenya, a tragedy shatters a young boy’s life. Simon Ali, 13, finds himself in a world of mystery when his father, a respected conservancy guide, is found dead under suspicious circumstances. Armed with his video camera and an unwavering desire for truth, he embarks on a perilous journey to uncover the secrets behind his father’s demise. Panel discussion to follow.

All films begin at 7 p.m.

Tickets to the PJDS fall season are $10 adults and $5 students. Season passes are $58 each. First United Methodist Church is located at 603 Main Street, Port Jefferson, 11777. For more information, visit portjeffdocumentaryseries.com.

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Catch a screening of the award-winning documentary 'Honorable But Broken' at Theatre Three on July 11 at 6 p.m.

By Julianne Mosher

A new documentary created by a former producer for ABC News and 60 Minutes, and with the help of different EMS groups across New York State, is heading to Port Jefferson next week for a free viewing of a powerful film that will remind people how important rescue services are. 

Michael Presta, deputy chief at Port Jefferson EMS, said he received a LinkedIn message from the film’s director and producer, Bryony Gilbey, asking if her 2023 award-winning documentary, Honorable But Broken: EMS in Crisis, could be shown in the area.

Catch a screening of the award-winning documentary ‘Honorable But Broken’ at Theatre Three on July 11 at 6 p.m.

After connecting with the Greater Port Jefferson Arts Council and Theatre Three, Presta was able to help get the film to play on Thursday, July 11 at 6 p.m. — for free — and for the first time on Long Island.

Gilbey, whose three children are EMS workers, developed the film after hearing the stories about what it was like being in emergency services pre, during and post COVID-19, plus the lack of funding these operations receive from the state and federal governments. The documentary was shot on location with EMS crews in Ossining, New York, and Montclair, New Jersey.

“The film has been circling the state for about a year now and it shows the challenges of delivering EMS services to the public,” Presta said, adding that local elected officials have been invited to attend.

“It helps paint a picture to the public and our politicians on what delivering EMS services in 2024 is like,” Presta added.

He noted that the Port Jefferson EMS helps and protects all of Port Jefferson and its surrounding communities including Mount Sinai and the Village of Port Jefferson, while also lending support to other local areas. 

When Presta started his career in Port Jefferson almost two decades ago, on average there were less than 1,000 calls per year. Now, he said, they’re around 3,500.

“It’s getting harder with rising costs to deliver EMS, not just here, but everywhere. Funding is needed to support that number of calls,” he said. “This movie will give people insight.”

Narrated by Sarah Jessica Parker, the goal of the documentary is to, “raise awareness of the systemic collapse of EMS and to advocate for change. Shockingly, most states don’t mandate the provision of EMS, so funding is unpredictable and inadequate. There is a critical workforce shortage, particularly in rural areas, which in turn has led to much longer response times.”

The goal, the documentary’s official website says, is to eventually get the film onto a streaming service so everyone can see it. On the film’s official website, people can donate to help fund that endeavor, as well.

And while Honorable But Broken is not part of the Port Jefferson Documentary Series, Kelly DeVine, head programmer of the series, said that when Presta approached her and Allan Varela, president of the Greater Port Jefferson Arts Council, looking for help, both groups jumped to volunteer their resources. 

Working alongside Theatre Three, the arts council offered to lend the theatre their personal movie screen so that the film could be played at the venue.

“The Port Jefferson Documentary Series is focused on bringing high-quality films normally only seen at top festivals or art house screens to our audiences and curating those titles to support our community partners and create impactful communal experiences,” DeVine said. 

As for other films coming to Port Jefferson, the documentary series is moving to a new venue and day of the week. The Methodist Church on Main Street across from Theatre Three will now show its films on Thursdays starting in September.

Theatre Three is located at 412 Main Street in Port Jefferson. The screening is free and no reservations are required. For more information, call 631-928-9100. 

For more information on Honorable But Broken: EMS in Crisis, visit www.honorablebutbroken.org.

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‘A Disturbance in the Force’ will be screened at John F. Kennedy Middle School in Port Jefferson Station on May 6.
'Story and Pictures By'
OVERCOME WITH NOSTALGIA Catch a screening of the documentary ‘Flipside,’ a comical attempt to save a New Jersey record store and confront a mid-life crisis, at Theatre Three on April 8. Photo courtesy of PJDS
'Stewart Udall: The Politics of Beauty'
'We Are the Warriors'
'Confessions of a Good Samaritan'
'Ukraine: The Other Frontline'

By Tara Mae

From the first actuality motion pictures running a minute or less to present day feature length documentaries, nonfiction films have captured the imagination and provided intimate insight into people and situations that inhabit the world with us.

On select Mondays from March 4 to May 20 at 7 p.m., the Spring 2024 season of the Port Jefferson Documentary Series (PJDS) covers seven tales of the audacity of authenticity, unity in adversity, togetherness in triumph, communal solitude, singular sacrifice for an uncommon goal, and whimsy in misadventure. 

Held at either Theatre Three, 412 Main St., Port Jefferson or John F. Kennedy Middle School, 200 Jayne Blvd., Port Jefferson Station, screenings will be followed by Q&As led by Tom Needham, executive producer and host of “Sounds of Film” on WUSB. Guest speakers, involved in the film or experts in its subject matter, will answer questions from Needham and audience members.

Documentary filmmaking is a frank language of cinema, and these conversations are a means by which to continue the dialogue. 

“Film, like other art forms, provides an emotional connection for people to ideas and to one another,” PJDS co-chair Kelly DeVine said. “…This Spring line-up offers seven films and seven opportunities to celebrate cinema and community. The program spans subject areas and moods.” 

Despite divergent topics, emotional comprehension, whether through trauma or triumph, faith or farce, longing for it or security in it, is a theme that permeates the films. 

Sponsored by Maggio Environmental and Wellness; Covati & Janhsen, CPAs; Port Jeff Storage; and the accounting firm Saranto Clamas, CPA with support from Suffolk County and the Greater Port Jefferson-Northern Brookhaven Arts Council, the season opens with Ukraine, The Other Frontline. It follows five Ukrainian journalists who have the courage to continue doing their jobs, and in doing so, become part of the larger story of Ukrainian resistance to Russia’s war in their country.  

Story and Pictures By explores the efforts of today’s children’s book authors to create stories as diverse as themselves and their readers. 

Flipside chronicles filmmaker Chris Wilcha’s attempt to save the record store that sustained him as a teenager while he examines ideas of artistic identity.

Stuart Udall: The Politics of Beauty traces the life trajectory of Stuart Udall, who served as the Secretary of the Interior for Kennedy and Johnson, championed quality of life over quantity of consumerism, and espoused a political philosophy that celebrated life’s simple pleasures and beauties. 

A Disturbance in the Force honors the seemingly nonsensical “Star Wars Holiday Special” that George Lucas produced in 1978. 

We are the Warriors depicts citizens of Wells, Maine, contending with the town’s colonial history, how its modern manifestations effect the Indigenous residents, and the 2017 incident that galvanized citizens to seek common ground. 

Confessions of a Good Samaritan traces director Penny Lane’s generous decision to donate a kidney to a stranger and how this decision leads her on a quest to unearth the meaning of altruism. 

(For dates and times, please see Film Schedule below)

Those involved in arranging and implementing the Series, including PJDS’ film board as well as volunteers, are eager to enjoy these documentaries with audiences and encounter their original reactions. 

“[We] are looking forward to another exciting season…” co-chair Wendy Feinberg said. She selected Stories and Pictures By. DeVine selected the other six documentaries. It is the first time that the documentaries were not submitted by individual board members and chosen by vote of the board as a whole. 

This change in protocol reflects a shift in leadership. Though they remain on the board, Lyn Boland and Barbara Sverd, co-directors with Feinberg, sought to take a step back from organizing and running the Series. Boland and Weinberg became co-chairs; Sverd is now the community outreach coordinator. Their titles are different this season, but their love for documentaries and PJDS has not waned.

“What I didn’t expect was the bitter-sweet feeling I was left with once I cut the cord. I will miss the relationships made with film makers and the thrill of the chase when trying to land a new film. I do intend to help Kelly during this transition which is going smoothly and remain involved in the PJDS,” Sverd said. 

Once a board member, DeVine was invited by Boland to rejoin and lead the Series. She previously worked as a programmer/acquisitions member for the Independent Film Channel (IFC) and still serves as programmer for the Great Peace Film Festival in Florida.

“I really think this was a very lucky break for the documentary series. Kelly is giving us the benefit of things she has seen. I am staying involved, but my role is changing. People should expect some things to be different and much to remain the same,” Boland said.

Even as alterations to its setup were taking place behind the scenes, DeVine and the other board members made sure that key elements of PJDS’ ethos, such as attention to attendees’ interests, stayed essential to its mission. 

“I start with the audience when considering a film…For PJDS, I am still centering the community in the curation process,” DeVine said. “While a film series like this one provides the opportunity to bring the world to Port Jefferson, I also look to make connections between these stories and our own lives and concerns.”

By identifying commonalities and spotlighting individuality, PJDS strives to foster communication, artistic recognition, and interpersonal acceptance. It continues to incorporate documentaries that appeal to the Series’ existing patrons and invite new appreciators to participate. It is a community that honors its fans and welcomes fresh faces.  

“The most rewarding part of programming is always the audience connection. …I am looking forward to seeing the reaction to the programs, hoping to continue to appeal to the existing audience base for the PJDS while bringing in new audience segments along the way,” DeVine said. “For me, programming is a conversation with audiences, and a conversation that I find enriching.” 

An award winning documentary series, organizers, documentarians, and audiences continue to be inspired by PJDS’ dedication to sharing tales well told and amplifying voices that may otherwise be less audible to the public. For those in attendance, it endeavors to offer insights into the world around them and each other. 

“The stories are important, but almost as important is the opportunity to come together in a  social setting. The purpose of public arts is to celebrate and sustain community. Watching a film by yourself has one effect, but sharing the experience with others and maybe learning something about yourself or others in the process is something else altogether,” DeVine said.

FILM SCHEDULE:

◆ The Spring 2024 season kicks off with a screening of Ukraine, The Other Frontline  at Theatre Three on March 4 at 7 p.m. How is wartime news produced in Ukraine? A gripping and fascinating insight into the upheavals of everyday life in television newsrooms. Guest speaker will be Sarah Baxter, Director of the Marie Colvin Center for International Reporting at SBU.

◆ Story and Pictures By, the first feature documentary to take audiences behind the scenes to meet the boundary pushers who create children’s picture books, will be screened at JFK Middle School on March 25 at 7 p.m. Guest speaker will be filmmaker Joanna Rudnick.

◆ Next up is Flipside at Theatre Three on April 8 at 7 p.m.  Filmmaker Chris Wilcha revisits the record store he worked at as a teenager in New Jersey, he finds the once-thriving bastion of music and weirdness from his youth slowly falling apart and out of touch with the times. Guest speaker will be Director Chris Wilcha.

◆ Stewart Udall: The Politics of Beauty will be screened at JFK Middle School on April 15 at 7 p.m. The film examines the trajectory of Udall’s life from his childhood to his years as Secretary of the Interior under the Kennedy and Johnson administrations, focusing on his effectiveness as a dedicated, bi-partisan public servant. Guest speaker TBA.

‘A Disturbance in the Force’

◆ The season continues with A  Disturbance in the Force at JFK Middle School on May 6 at 7 p.m. A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…In 1978 George Lucas was talked in to cashing in on the STAR WARS craze by producing a holiday variety TV special.  What could possibly go wrong? Answer: Everything. Guest speaker will be Director Jeremy Coon.

◆ We Are the Warriors will be screened at JFK Middle School on May 13 at 7 p.m.  For nearly 70 years, students and alumni of Wells High School in Maine have called themselves the “Warriors.” The school’s mascot, variations of a stoic Native American head in profile with braids and feathered headband, has drawn both support and criticism in the past. However an incident in 2017 shocks the town and reignites the debate. Guest speaker TBA.

◆ Confessions of a Good Samaritan heads to Theatre Three on May 20 at 7 p.m. Director Penny Lane’s decision to become a “good Samaritan” by giving one of her kidneys to a stranger turns into a funny and moving personal quest to understand the nature of altruism. Guest speaker will be filmmaker Penny Lane.

Tickets are $10 per person; season passes are $58 each. For more information, visit portjeffdocumentaryseries.com.  

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WRITE TO US … AND KEEP IT LOCAL

We welcome your letters, especially those responding to our local coverage, replying to other letter writers’ comments and speaking mainly to local themes. Letters should be no longer than 400 words and may be edited for length, libel, style, good taste and uncivil language. They will also be published on our website. We do not publish anonymous letters. Please include an address and phone number for confirmation.

Email letters to: [email protected] or mail them to TBR News Media, P.O. Box 707, Setauket, NY 11733

Credit where credit is due

We would like to thank the staff at The Port Times Record for their June 15 editorial [“Election Day is only the beginning”], in which they acknowledged some of the contributions the Port Jefferson Civic Association has made.

There was one item, however, that was incorrectly attributed to us: the formation of a tree committee.

While our membership fully supports the preservation of our village tree canopy, and several PJCA members volunteered to staff the committee, the primary credit for developing it belongs to Village of Port Jefferson trustee Rebecca Kassay.

PJCA member Kelly DeVine initially brought the idea to trustee Kassay, who followed up on it with extensive research on tree-related efforts in various villages within New York state and beyond. She discovered many municipalities have dedicated committees to assist staff and board members in managing a village’s canopy.

Trustee Kassay further consulted with chairs and founders of other tree committees to gather insights and information. These findings were presented to Deputy Mayor Kathianne Snaden, who expressed support for the creation and development of the Port Jefferson Village Tree Committee.

We just wanted to make sure to give credit where credit is due.

Ana Hozyainova, President

Kathleen McLane, Outreach Officer

Port Jefferson Civic Association

American dreams for some, not all

What a beautiful story in The Village Times Herald May 25 [“American Dream” series] on page A7 about the Huangs legal journey from China to the United States and how they worked hard and sent money home to bring other family members here.

Their hard work, sacrifice and ultimate success at their Kai Li Kitchen in East Setauket is a true American Dream story. I have many Chinese friends who did the same, as well as my four Italian grandparents. 

It’s too bad that the May 25 letter by Shoshana Hershkowitz [“Words matter in immigration dialogue”] could not have been on page A8. What a dichotomy. Almost every week she is complaining about something in this country. She belongs to Citizen Action of New York (website: citizenactionny.org), that is, progressives like AOC, Warren and Sanders. They bash Republicans, Conservatives and corporations. The problem with socialism is that it needs capitalism to survive. Thus, the ironic hypocrisy.

There is a legal way to become a citizen and an illegal way to play the system. The new “messaging” from the “left” is that “everyone” entering the country illegally is an asylum seeker (see Newsday, June 19). According to Ms. Hershkowitz’s statement, “Asylum seekers are fleeing their countries because of climate change, poverty and political violence.” If that’s true, the whole world can move here. We have the same issues: climate change, antifa (who the left were silent about as the group destroyed federal buildings and businesses in Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington), Proud Boys and millions of our own citizens who live in poverty.

So when these “illegal asylum seekers” arrive we are supposed to just let them in, while the people who are legally emigrating from their countries wait to gain citizenship and get penalized by following the law? And I suppose it’s OK for the citizens in Texas, Arizona and California to bear the brunt of the huge, intentional failure at the border by Biden, Harris and Mayorkas. 

According to the House Committee on Homeland Security, as of Jan. 23 there have been over 4.5 million encounters at the Southwest border in addition to over 1.2 million “gotaways.” When the illegal immigrants were sent to Martha’s Vineyard, I don’t recall the vice president commenting on their next-day overnight extradition to mainland Massachusetts by the NIMBYs. 

The hypocrisy of these elites and socialists is obvious. It’s all about future voters and power at the expense of the citizens of this country. 

To the Huangs and Kai Li Kitchen (Chinese translation, “triumphant victory forever”), well done.

Rocky Graziano

Setauket

Two points of view

As an avid reader of the letters section of your paper, I felt compelled to write about the recent exchange of views on the issue of language and the words we use to describe the immigrants who are coming to the United States.

I know both writers personally and know them to be good people who are community-minded and who have worked to make our Three Villages a better place. I think both made good arguments about the current debate, and considering other points is what the American experiment in democracy requires its citizens to do in the pursuit of consensus.

We all know that our recent political discourse has changed, and not for the better. It seems now that we only want to hear one point of view, and criticize or discredit others whose points of view differ from our own.

Local newspapers play an important role in letting the community know about important issues and the various opinions of the people who live here, and I appreciate that.

We can learn a lot by being open to our differing views and maybe even find better solutions for the problems and challenges that we face as a community.

Thank you TBR News Media and to both writers for sharing your thoughts on a very heated and controversial subject.

George Hoffman

Setauket

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