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Jeff Kaufman

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Jeff Kaufman
Born (1955-07-06) July 6, 1955 (age 69)
Occupation(s)Film producer, director and writer / artist
Years active1993–present
Known for
SpouseMarcia Ross
FamilyRichard C. Ross (father-in-law)
Websitewww.jeffkaufman.me

Jeff Kaufman (born July 6, 1955) is an American film producer, director, writer, and artist.[1] Kaufman has produced, written, and directed documentaries focusing on human rights activism and cultural icons including The State of Marriage, Every Act of Life, and Nasrin.

Early life

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Kaufman was born in Minnesota and raised in Bellevue, Washington. He dropped out of college and moved to New York City where he worked as a messenger for The New Yorker.[2] Kaufman contributed cartoons to The New Yorker, as well as illustrations to The Los Angeles Times[3][4][5] and The New York Times. He also wrote for magazines and newspapers, and exhibited his paintings at art galleries.[6] Kaufman hosted the radio talk show "The Talk of Vermont"[7] in Vermont for five years[1] before moving to Los Angeles in 2000.[8]

Film career

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2003–2012: Early works

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Kaufman directed and produced the Discovery Channel special WTC 9/11: Stories from the Ruins, and episodes for Unsolved History, a Discovery Channel documentary television series. In 2007, he produced Brush With Life: The Art of Being Edward Biberman, a documentary film which portrayed the life of modernist painter Edward Biberman.[9]

In 2011, he produced Education Under Fire, a documentary centered around the persecution of Baháʼís in Iran, in collaboration with Amnesty International.[10] Kaufman's work on his next film, The Savoy King: Chick Webb and the Music That Changed America, drew praise from critics.[11] The film included interviews with Frankie Manning, Van Alexander, Louie Bellson, Roy Haynes, and Norma Miller. It featured the voices of Billy Crystal, John Legend, Janet Jackson, Jeff Goldblum, Ron Perlman, Tyne Daly, Andy Garcia, Danny Glover, Keith David, Eugene Robinson, and Charlie Watts.[12]

2015–2018: The State of Marriage and Every Act of Life

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In 2015, Kaufman directed, co-produced and wrote the critically acclaimed documentary film The State of Marriage, about the same-sex marriage movement in Vermont.[13][14] Kaufman credited "countless examples of personal and political courage" that he witnessed during his stint as a radio host in Vermont as his inspiration to make the film.[15] His next film Father Joseph depicted the contributions of Haitian Catholic priest Joseph Philippe in the empowerment of Haitians living in poverty.[16][17]

In 2018, Kaufman wrote and directed Every Act of Life, a documentary on the playwright and LGBT activist Terrence McNally, featuring F. Murray Abraham, Christine Baranski, Nathan Lane, Angela Lansbury, Audra McDonald, Rita Moreno, Billy Porter, Chita Rivera, and Patrick Wilson, with the voices of Bryan Cranston and Meryl Streep.[18] The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and was screened at dozens of other film festivals. It was broadcast as part of the American Masters series on PBS[6][19] and received an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series.[20]

2020–present: Nasrin and beyond

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In 2020, Kaufman produced a short documentary focusing on women's rights in Iran called 40 Million: The Struggle for Women's Rights in Iran.[21] Later that year, he produced and directed Nasrin, a documentary feature on Nasrin Sotoudeh and her fight for the rights of women, children and minorities in Iran. Narrated by Olivia Colman, the documentary was filmed secretly in Iran between late 2017 and mid 2018.[22][23] It premiered at The Boston Globe's GlobeDocs Film Festival and was screened at dozens of film festivals, receiving positive reviews from critics.[24] Kaufman said about Sotoudeh, "There’s a good reason Nasrin has been called 'The Nelson Mandela of Iran'. She has the same kind of determination, resilience and vision."[25] Nasrin was released on Hulu in June 2021 and nominated for Best Political Documentary at the 6th Critics' Choice Documentary Awards.[26]

In 2023, Kaufman launched a button campaign called "I oppose the mandatory hijab" in solidarity with the Woman, Life, Freedom movement in Iran. The project's partners included PEN America, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, Parliamentarians for Global Action, and the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Iran.[27]

Other work

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Art

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Kaufman exhibited paintings in Los Angeles before becoming a filmmaker, and has continued to paint and exhibit. His artwork typically makes use of acrylic paint on wood, and involves the scraping down and reapplying of multiple thin layers of paint. His recent work comprises a series of paintings linked to one theme, such as the Nahua deity Tláloc, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the Babi Yar massacres.[28][29]

Theatre

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Kaufman has written several full-length and short plays.[30] In March 2024, his play First Aid was a winner at the Long Beach Playhouse New Works Festival.[31]

Personal life

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Jeff Kaufman and Marcia Ross at the premiere of their film Every Act of Life at the Tribeca Film Festival.

Kaufman is married to Marcia Ross, a casting director and documentary producer, with whom he has produced six documentary films.[2] He has two children–Anna Kaufman and Daniel Kaufman.[32]

Filmography

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Year Film Credits
2020 Nasrin writer, director, producer
2020 40 Million: The Struggle for Women's Rights in Iran writer, director, producer
2018 Every Act of Life writer, director, producer
2015 Father Joseph writer, director, producer
2015 The State of Marriage writer, director, producer
2012 The Savoy King: Chick Webb & the Music That Changed America writer, director, producer
2011 Education Under Fire writer, director, producer
2010 Free Shane and Josh writer, director, producer
2007 Brush with Life: The Art of Being Edward Biberman writer, director, producer
2005 Unsolved History: The Hope Diamond director, producer
2004 Unsolved History: Hunting Nazis director, producer
2003 WTC 9/11: Stories from the Ruins writer, director, producer
2003 The Last Mission associate producer

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Work Result Ref(s)
2015 GlobeDocs Film Festival Audience Award The State of Marriage Won [33]
2018 Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature Every Act of Life Won [34]
2020 Emmy Awards Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series American Masters Nominated [20]
2021 Critics' Choice Documentary Awards Best Political Documentary Nasrin Nominated [26]
Cinema for Peace Awards Award for Women’s Empowerment Won [35]
Terra di Tutti Film Festival [it] The Voices of Invisible Women Award Won [36]

References

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  1. ^ a b Thompson, Christine (2015-09-12). "Jeff Kaufman On Where We are, How We Got There, And Where We Need To Go From Here". AMFM Magazine. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  2. ^ a b Pates, Michael. "Interview with Jeff Kaufman". Cylindr. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  3. ^ "The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California on March 25, 1990 · Page 3". Newspapers.com. 25 March 1990. Retrieved 2019-04-03.
  4. ^ "The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California on May 24, 1992 · Page 3". Newspapers.com. 24 May 1992. Retrieved 2019-04-03.
  5. ^ "The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California on December 13, 1992 · Page 3". Newspapers.com. 13 December 1992. Retrieved 2019-04-03.
  6. ^ a b R, Cindy (20 May 2019). "Terrence McNally: Every Act of Life ~ Director's Statement - Jeff Kaufman". PBS. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  7. ^ Kirkaldy, Andy (2015-09-10). "New film highlights locals' role in nation's move to same-sex marriage". Addison County Independent. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  8. ^ "Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 11 - A TRIBUTE TO TALK OF VERMONT'S JEFF KAUFMAN". www.govinfo.gov. Retrieved 2019-04-04.
  9. ^ Knight, Christopher (2009-03-04). "Art Review". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  10. ^ "Film Review: A VOICE FOR THE VOICELESS from Education Under Fire on Vimeo". Iran Press Watch. 2012-05-26. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  11. ^ DeFore, John (2012-06-15). "The Savoy King: Film Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  12. ^ Scheib, Ronnie (17 October 2012). "The Savoy King: Chick Webb and the Music That Changed America". Variety. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  13. ^ King, Loren (2015-06-30). "Provincetown film fest selections focus on foundations of marriage-equality movement". Boston Spirit Magazine. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  14. ^ Rooney, David (2015-06-24). "'The State of Marriage': Provincetown Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  15. ^ "'The State of Marriage' in Vermont: Two decades of progress". GLAAD. 24 April 2014. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  16. ^ Althoff, Eric (2016-10-03). "Rebuilding Haiti: Documentary 'Father Joseph' shows power of faith in restoring troubled nation". The Washington Times. Retrieved 30 May 2019.
  17. ^ "'Father Joseph' documentary highlights work of Haitian priest Father Joseph Philippe". The Bay State Banner. 10 November 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  18. ^ EST, Joe Westerfield On 11/12/18 at 4:14 PM (2018-11-12). "'Every Act' is a touching documentary on the life of Tony-winning playwright, librettist Terrence McNally". Newsweek. Retrieved 2019-03-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  19. ^ Carey, Matthew (2020-06-08). "'American Masters' Doc Reveals Impact Of Playwright Terrence McNally". Deadline. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  20. ^ a b "Jeff Kaufman". Television Academy. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  21. ^ Szal, Roxy (2020-03-06). "Documenting the Feminist Movement's Struggle in Iran". Ms Magazine. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  22. ^ Catsoulis, Jeannette (17 December 2020). "'Nasrin' Review: Righting Wrongs in Iran". The New York Times. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  23. ^ Daniels, Robert. "Nasrin movie review & film summary (2021)". Roger Ebert. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  24. ^ "Nasrin - Movie Reviews - Rotten Tomatoes". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  25. ^ Mahdavi, Pardis (1 October 2020). "'Nasrin': Speaking to the World From a Prison in Iran". Ms. Magazine. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  26. ^ a b Lewis, Hilary (14 November 2021). "'Summer of Soul' Sweeps Critics Choice Documentary Awards". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  27. ^ Saranj, Parisa (3 April 2023). "'I Oppose the Mandatory Hijab' Button Campaign Puts Iranian Women's Rights Front and Center". Ms. Magazine. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  28. ^ "Jeff Kaufman". Aesthetica Art Prize. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  29. ^ "Interview with Jeff Kaufman". Contemporary Art Curator Magazine. 10 January 2024. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  30. ^ "Jeff Kaufman". Playwrights' Center. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  31. ^ Wild, Stephi (7 March 2024). "Long Beach Playhouse New Works Festival 2024 Winners Revealed". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  32. ^ "Anchor Launches a Line of Hardcover Books". penguinrandomhouse.com. Retrieved 6 April 2023.
  33. ^ Goldstein, Meredith (12 October 2015). "GlobeDocs festival closes with 'Fastball' at Fenway - The Boston Globe". BostonGlobe.com. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
  34. ^ "Previous Winners of the Tampa Bay International Gay & Lesbian Film Festival Awards". TIGLFF. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
  35. ^ "Awards 2021". Cinema for Peace Foundation. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
  36. ^ "Nasrin". www.terradituttifilmfestival.stream. Terra di tutti film festival. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
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