Life In A Dream, Life On Film

From: Lu Olkowski
Length: 08:41

A profile of Jeremiah Zagar whose award winning documentary, "In a Dream" opens in theaters Spring 2009. http://www.inadreammovie.com/ Read the full description.

Piece Audio

Playing: Life In A Dream, Life On Film
From: Lu Olkowski

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In the vibrant, bohemian neighborhood of South Philadelphia, 50,000-square feet of concrete are covered with tile and mirrors—mosaics that were created by Isaiah Zagar, an eccentric, tormented artist – and Jeremiah’s father.

The murals chronicle his love for his wife, Julia, and subtly hint at the darker corners of an extraordinary imagination. Where Isaiah is obsessive and narcissistic—a former Peace Corps volunteer who has become an icon in South Philly's art community—Julia is gracious and warm. For decades, their opposing natures complemented one another perfectly. But suddenly the family is torn apart at the seams: A few hours before picking up his oldest son from a rehabilitation center, Isaiah declares to the camera, "As people get older they have less and less passion." He then confesses to an affair with his assistant, is kicked out of the house, and spirals into a debilitating, suicidal depression.

SXSW FILM FESTIVAL
WINNER Emerging Visions Audience Award

FULL FRAME DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL
WINNER Charles E. Guggenheim Emerging Artist Award

PHILADELPHIA FILM FESTIVAL
WINNER Best First Film
WINNER DIVE Technical Achievement Award

WOODSTOCK FILM FESTIVAL
WINNER Best Documentary Feature
WINNER James Lyons Best Editing Award

BIG SKY DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL
WINNER Artistic Vision Award

SALEM FILM FESTIVAL
WINNER Jury Award for Best Documentary

SAN FRANCISCO DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL
WINNER Audience Award for Best Feature

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Piece Description

In the vibrant, bohemian neighborhood of South Philadelphia, 50,000-square feet of concrete are covered with tile and mirrors—mosaics that were created by Isaiah Zagar, an eccentric, tormented artist – and Jeremiah’s father.

The murals chronicle his love for his wife, Julia, and subtly hint at the darker corners of an extraordinary imagination. Where Isaiah is obsessive and narcissistic—a former Peace Corps volunteer who has become an icon in South Philly's art community—Julia is gracious and warm. For decades, their opposing natures complemented one another perfectly. But suddenly the family is torn apart at the seams: A few hours before picking up his oldest son from a rehabilitation center, Isaiah declares to the camera, "As people get older they have less and less passion." He then confesses to an affair with his assistant, is kicked out of the house, and spirals into a debilitating, suicidal depression.

SXSW FILM FESTIVAL
WINNER Emerging Visions Audience Award

FULL FRAME DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL
WINNER Charles E. Guggenheim Emerging Artist Award

PHILADELPHIA FILM FESTIVAL
WINNER Best First Film
WINNER DIVE Technical Achievement Award

WOODSTOCK FILM FESTIVAL
WINNER Best Documentary Feature
WINNER James Lyons Best Editing Award

BIG SKY DOCUMENTARY FILM FESTIVAL
WINNER Artistic Vision Award

SALEM FILM FESTIVAL
WINNER Jury Award for Best Documentary

SAN FRANCISCO DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL
WINNER Audience Award for Best Feature

Transcript

Jeremiah is the only person I know who can gush, I mean really gush, about his mom.

D1T9: My mother is like a saint, sort of. She is a perfect woman, in every way, as far as I?m concerned. Like, I just want to be around her.

It borders on diagnosable.

D2T12: I think everything I?ve done in my life is to please my mom. Ultimately is to make her proud. That?s all I want which is funny because now I?m exposing her whole world. I think she?s proud, but she?s scared, too.

When Jeremiah was nineteen--just starting out--his mom said, ?Make a movie about your father.? His dad is Isaiah Zagar: a famous muralist in Philadelphia. He?s been documented constantly. Jeremiah hated the idea?but he made a deal with himself: he would do it differently. A portrait of what it was really like to be--and live with--an artist. Total exposure. His parents were up for it.

A1T56: They?re about that....
Read the full transcript