Award-winning filmmaker comes to Athens

by Lauren Gross
Staff Writer

Dictating the root of evil. A boy who fears Christ. Inner and outer cruelties of boys. Menarche.

These are not titles for the latest Jerry Springer Show; they are themes for filmmaker Jay Rosenblatt's films.

Rosenblatt's films have been screened around the world and have picked up many awards along the way, including Grand Prize at the USA Film Festival, the Jury Award at the Sundance Film Festival and First Place at the Athens International Film and Video Festival.

"I've entered all my films to the Athens Festival," Rosenblatt said.

Although he is not a contestant this year, Rosenblatt will be involved in the festival as a guest filmmaker. Saturday at The Ridges is dedicated to the screening of his work, as well as a question-and-answer session. Rosenblatt said he is looking forward to being a part of the festival in a different capacity.

Watching a Rosenblatt film can be a unique and enticing experience. Many of his films are a sort of "collage film," combining stock footage from news reels, educational movies, Hollywood clips, historical footage, home movies and other forms of archival materials. Like the delicate work of a weaver, Rosenblatt threads together passionate, psychological and historical themes into his work.

"I definitely have a desire to make films that affect people," Rosenblatt said.

Most of his ideas come from his emotions and childhood, he said.

Rosenblatt also said he makes his films to help people. To him, Smell of Burning Ants is his most fulfilling film. In addition to going beyond the festival circuit, the film has been shown on TV. Even more exciting for him is that the film has been screened in a variety of sociology, psychology and women's studies courses around the country.

"It is very gratifying to make a piece that can be used educationally and artistically," he said.

Films aren't the only medium Rosenblatt uses for education. He also has taught film classes at California institutions, including Stanford University, College on San Mateo and his alma mater, San Francisco State University.

Rosenblatt received his master of arts degree in film in 1988 from SFSU. In New York, he earned a degree in psychology at State University of New York at Buffalo in 1976. The University of Oregon was where he became enamored with film.

Along with his counseling degree, Rosenblatt received a minor in film. From there he moved to San Francisco State University. What followed are the intriguing and inspiring pieces that comprise his résumé.