NOTE: The following was passed on to me by a colleague at the Alliance for
Equity in the Arts, I serve on an advisory panel for them. Was also sent to
the listserv by Edith Prentiss.
I do not know the film-makers or any specifics about the intetntion of the
film -- but I've read the book on which it is based, like it and will be
talking to the director.
At any rate, I wanted to pass this on in case people want to learn more or
get involved.
Please contact Angela or Erical directly, rather than writing to me or the
listserv.
Thanks! And Good luck!
Best, Lawrence
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My name is Angela Mickey and I am a casting director in New York. I am
working on a documentary and am doing a search for several real people to
participate in the film to be interviewed about their lives. It is a
documentary film about the American Eugenics movement at the beginning of
the century. A Movement that attempted to breed a Nordic master race through
the elimination of the "unfit" and those deemed physically inferior. The
film is based upon Edwin Black's best selling book "War against the Weak".
It will incorporate archival footage, as well as live action. The film
intends to show the birth of Eugenics in the US, its relationship between
America and Germany, and how this philosophy directly influenced the
Holocaust.
Part of the film will be interviews with a variety of people who would have
been effected by the movement, including black albinos, people with Down
Syndrome, people use wheelchairs due to congenital defects, individuals who
are blind with low vision, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and a mother of a
physically disabled child. The intent is to show that all have value, and
how the movement tried to basically exterminate them, instead of
rehabilitating or respecting them as humans.
Participants will be asked to engage in a short, intimate interview about
their life and experiences, as well as portraits. These interviews will be
interspersed throughout the film as new info is revealed about the
Eugenicists plans to eradicate different groups of the population. These are
envisioned as a way to tie the present to the past, and evoke the true
gravity of their plan.
In the portrait shots, participants will wear swim suits to give the
appearance they that they are nude. The image will be digitally manipulated
to cover private areas. Women will wear bikini bottoms and tube tops. We are
asking the participants to pose this way to evoke the full beauty of
humanity as well as, conversely, the terrible vulnerability.
Please let me know if you can help me in my search on this project. Those
who are in the film will be paid for their time. We can be reached via
email or our office phone 212-645-1500 ext 115 (Angela) or ext 122 (Erica).
Thank you,
Angela Mickey
Erica Palgon
Casting Directors
Liz Lewis Casting
212-645-1500
eugenicscasting@...