PALEY CENTER FOR MEDIA, THE: PALEY AFTER DARK: A LOOK BACK AT PLAYING FOR TIME {LONG VERSION}
Summary
One in a series of evenings and special screenings presented as part of The Paley Center for Media’s Inside Media program Paley After Dark. This evening honors the 1980 television film “Playing for Time,” a docudrama special about the real-life imprisonment of Fania Fénelon in the Auschwitz concentration camp and her survival there through music—as a member of the orchestra that played for the Nazi captors as well as fellow inmates.
Host Pat Mitchell (president and CEO, The Paley Center for Media) offers opening remarks on the history of the film, and acknowledges CBS staff members in the audience that were associated with its production. She then introduces the panelists: producer Linda Yellen; and cast members Jane Alexander (Alma Rosé); and Vanessa Redgrave (Fania Fénelon).
The conversation touches on such topics as: the panelists’ reactions to seeing the film for the first time in three decades; the importance of telling the stories of the Holocaust; how Yellen convinced Arthur Miller to write the script; the cast and crew’s “small, vital connection” to the real-life events of the Holocaust; Redgrave’s sense of “humbled” responsibility in portraying a real-life survivor; Yellen’s family connection to the story; the process through which CBS produced the film; Alexander’s extensive research to play the “disciplined” Rosé; Miller’s talent for writing about life’s moral “grays”; the prevalence of the idea that “if you’re not with us, you’re against us” and the problems therein; Redgrave’s personal experiences in WWII and how it affected her perspective; the production's disruptive filming process, including the firing of directors Tony Richardson (Redgrave's ex-husband) and Joseph Sargent before Daniel Mann was hired; why "Playing for Time" inspired conflicting visions among its producers, directors, and actors; controversy about Redgrave’s casting due to her position on Palestine; shooting the production in Pennsylvania rather than the original choice of Europe; and Redgrave's interest in paying tribute to Fénelon and educating young people about prejudice.
Questions from the audience then lead to a discussion of the following: whether Miller met with Fénelon; how Fénelon was initially pleased with Redgrave’s casting and eventually “became a pawn” in the debate; the bombing of Yellen’s office by the Jewish Defense League; the extensive editing process, which took an extra nine months, and use of facial close-ups for “emotional integrity”; the contrast of documentary films and narrative dramas in telling real-life stories; the quality of artists working on the film; original plans for a different ending, changed because of financial reasons; clarification of Redgrave’s comments about Zionism on "60 Minutes"; and Redgrave's belief that artists can reach out to bring together people with conflicting ideologies.
Clips from the film are interspersed throughout the program. The complete film is part of the Paley Center's collection and may be viewed separately (T81:0667).
Cataloging of this program has been made possible by Verizon Communications.
Details
- NETWORK: N/A
- DATE: November 21, 2010 3:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:16:22
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: 103620
- GENRE: Seminars
- SUBJECT HEADING: N/A
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Pat Mitchell … Host
- Linda Yellen … Panelist
- Jane Alexander … Panelist
- Vanessa Redgrave … Panelist
- Fania Fénelon
- Daniel Mann
- Arthur Miller
- Tony Richardson
- Alma Rosé
- Joseph Sargent