Sandi Klein's Conversations with Creative Women

Ferne Pearlstein and Judy Gold, Filmmaker and Comedian

She's baaaack! But this time award-winning director Ferne Pearlstein's joined by veteran comic Judy Gold, one of the many bold-faced names featured in The Last Laugh. Using the scope of the Holocaust, this entertaining, thought-provoking, and edgy documentary explores what is and isn't off-limits in comedy. The Last Laugh opens in Manhattan on March 3rd nation wide on March 17th.

 

 www.lastlaughfilm.us 

Debbie Irwin, Voice Over Artist

Her face may not be familiar, but her voice is. A successful and much-in-demand versatile voice over artist, Debbie Irwin's the voice of the Statue of Liberty, has been featured on countless radio and tv commercials, sales and marketing videos, corporate and medical narrations, on hold message and phone prompts, as well as live announcing and museum audio tours. Listen in as Debbie talks about her varied and versatile career.

Ferne Pearlstein, Filmmaker

Meet Ferne Pearlstein, yet another creative women with a long list of credits behind her name. A prize-winning cinematographer, Ferne's also a writer/director, producer and editor whose films have been shown nationally and internationally. Her most recent feature documentary, "The Last Laugh," features among others: Mel Brooks, Carl and Rob Reiner, Sara Silverman, Susie Essman and Auschwitz survivor Renee Firestone. The film explores what is and is not off-limits in comedy and includes rare archival footage of cabarets in concentration camps. "The Last Laugh" had its world premier at the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival. There's plenty to talk about, so get comfortable and tune in!

Agunda Okeyo, Comedian

Born in Nairobi and raised in both Kenya and New York City, Agunda Okeyo describes herself as a Pan-African New Yorker. A writer, producer, filmmaker and activist, Agunda is the creator and force behind the monthly production of "Sisters of Comedy: at Caroline's on Broadway. It's a 'who's who' of black women in stand-up. Agunda's written about race, gender, politics, culture and film for numerous publications including Salon, The Daily Beast, Indiewire's Women and Hollywood blog. This year she produced a benefit show supporting an Equal Rights Amendment aimed at assuring gender equality and also in 2016, was named a Progressive Women's Voices Fellow with the Women's Media Center.

Ilana Levine, Actress

Actress Ilana Levine's stage, film and tv career has spanned more than 25 years. On Broadway she's best known as Lucy Van Pelt in the revival of "You're A Good Man Charlie Brown." Among her film credits: "Confessions of a Shopaholic," "Kissing Jessica Stein" and the "Nanny Diaries." TV appearances include "Seinfeld," "Law and Order" and "NYPD Blue." She's now part of the podcast universe having launched "Little Known Facts with Ilana Levine." Some of her celebrity guests are recent Tony winner Reed Birney, Cynthia Nixon, John Slattery and BD Wong. Ilana's interview style is unfiltered and uniquely funny and so is this conversation.

Priscilla Anany, Ghanian Filmmaker

Priscilla Anany hit the big time - the first time. Her feature, "childreN of the mountaiN," premiered at this year's Tribeca Film Festival. It's the first time a Ghanian film debuted at the prestigious New York event. By the way, she won the Best New Narrative Director Award. Priscilla, who came to the States in 2003, earned a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from the University of North Carolina and a Master's in Corporate Communications from NYU.  She divides her time between New York and Ghana where she runs i60Productions, the film company she founded in 2011. There's plenty to talk about - so sit back and tune in.

Afia Nathaniel

Born and raised in Pakistan, Afia Nathaniel moved to New York City just weeks before 9-11 to begin an MFA fellowship at Columbia University's film program. After getting her degree in 2006 Afia began work on her first feature, Dukhtar, which tells the story of a  mother and her young daughter who escape from their home in the Pakistani mountains to save her child from an arranged marriage. Ten years in the making, Dukhtar (which mean daughter) premiered at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival.

Sarah Klein

Sarah Klein and her partner Tom Mason are the creative team behind Redglass Pictures - a full-service creative production studio committed to great story telling. Their work includes a number of projects with collaborator/mentor/friend Ken Burns. Recently, Sarah co-directed 18 short films for his series about Cancer aired on PBS. Listen in- Sarah has plenty to share.

Mehret Mandefro

What doesn't Dr. Mehret Mandefro do? She's a primary care physician, anthropologist, social activist, filmmaker. Mehret's also President of Truth Aid, the non-profit production company she co-founded with past guest Lacey Schwartz. You can't afford to miss our conversation with this amazing, committed 'force of nature.'

Robbyne Kaamil

Robbyne Kaamil wears lots of hats. In alphabetical order she's an: activist, actress, author, radio personality, relationship expert and singer. Needless to say, there's plenty to talk about. So sit back, and tune in to this no-holds barred conversation.