(TEANECK, NJ) -- The Teaneck International Film Festival, with the theme, Activism: Making Change, returns November 7-14, 2024. The "live" part of the festival runs November 7-10, ending with the premiere of Politics is a Mother, a documentary about NJ Senator Loretta Weinberg, at Temple Emeth (1666 Windsor Road) in Teaneck. Additional films will be offered online from November 11-14.
Politics is a Mother was film written, directed, and produced by her Weinberg's daughter Francine Graff. Known as the ‘Feisty Grandma’, Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg flipped New Jersey on its head when she unearthed the Bridgegate scandal, which caused the fast and hard fall of Governor Chris Christie. Told through the lens of a mother/daughter story, Politics Is A Mother, Raising Hell is Part Of The Job, reveals how the political is always personal and how an “adorable” grandmother could be one of the most important politicians of our time. Sponsors of the film include WOW (Women of Wisdom), NCJWBCS (National Council of Jewish Women Bergen County Section), and the YWCA Northern New Jersey.
Francine Graff (Director/Writer/Producer) has had work aired on the History Channel, HGTV, Discovery, Food Network, Sundance and E! Her interview subjects have included a diverse cast of characters ranging from ’80s Mistress of the Dark Elvira to PayPal/SpaceX/Tesla founder Elon Musk. She’s been published in Lena Dunham’s digital magazine as well as the blogs “Mothering Heights” and The “New Agenda.”
Interviews, personal narration, verite and local news footage show viewers how one person CAN make a difference. An Investigative Select Committee, co-chaired by Loretta Weinberg, discovered the scandal reached beyond just lane closures.
The Office of Legislative Affairs, Christie’s tax-payer funded political machine, showered local Democrats with “swag” from the collapsed World Trade Center. They wanted the Dems to endorse the Republican Governor for re-election and there was punishment for those who refused. Demonstrating bipartisan support was crucial to bolster Christie’s future campaign for president. Loyal Christie lieutenants, Matt Mowers and Bill Stepien (both went on to high-level positions in the Trump administration) came up with a list of “top” Dems to woo by giving them twisted metal and American flags that hung from the World Trade Center disaster site.
With the lane closures on the George Washington Bridge, a clear message was sent to the Democratic Mayor of Ft. Lee, Mark Sokolich: If you don’t endorse the Governor, you will be punished. Chris Christie was a pre-curser to Donald Trump and he got away with abusing his political power.
The film delves into some of the many battles that drove Loretta Weinberg. Those battles also empowered her to take on the guy – Chris Christie – that no one else could touch. She outsmarted and out snarked him at every turn. Politics Is A Mother, reveals some long hidden secrets and shows how past hurts can be turned into rocket fuel, blazing the path forward.
This film has a special appeal to mothers and daughters. The core of the story is the connection that Francine and Loretta share. That universal connection will engage audiences across political spectrums. American’s are desperate to see an authentic politician whose only goal is to be a “voice for the voiceless” – someone who can take on the bad guy, and like a true Jersey girl, knock ‘em to their knees.
A project of The Puffin Foundation Ltd., the 19th Teaneck International Film festival will be held November 7-14, 2024, with the opening night film (to be announced) sponsored by The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Bergen/Passaic Chapter at Teaneck Cinemas (503 Cedar Lane) on Thursday, November 7, at 8:00pm.
Additional films will be offered online from November 11-14. Complete details about films, talkbacks, venues, and tickets will be available by mid-September on the TIFF website: www.teaneckfilmfestival.org, and tickets will go on sale in October - with a click on the website.
Back again for the second year since Covid is the collection of award-winning films from the New York International Children’s Film Festival: Kid Flicks, for 4 -10-year-olds, who are invited free with a paying adult through support from the Puffin Foundation and sponsorship by the Teaneck Public Library. Tickets for adults will be $10, and pre-registration is recommended since this year’s emcee – stepping into the big shoes of longtime host Bob McGrath – will be Miss Jolie, the Taylor Swift of New Jersey’s youngest set who plays to SRO crowds. Mark the date: November 3 @ 1:30pm, at the Puffin Cultural Forum, 20 Puffin Way in Teaneck. Again, in October, click the appropriate spot on www.teaneckfilmfestival.org for tickets.
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