Based on a true story, this riveting thriller follows Jason Derek Brown (Tom Pelphrey), a charismatic con man bankrolling his extravagant lifestyle through a series of scams. On Brown’s trail: Lance Leising (Ryan Phillippe), a dogged FBI special agent determined to put Brown behind bars. When Brown’s funds run low and his past catches up with him, he plots his most elaborate scheme yet, pitting himself against Leising in a deadly game of cat and mouse — and becoming the most unlikely and elusive fugitive on the FBI’s most-wanted list.
“A Tree of Life: The Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting”, a new HBO documentary examining the deadliest antisemitic attack in American history, premieres today on HBO and HBO Max. The film features “A Tree of Life,” an original song performed by Idina Menzel, which she and her songwriting partner, Kate Diaz, wrote specifically for the project. The song, which you can listen to above and also stream across all platforms, addresses the Pittsburgh shooting, but also expands to a broader embrace of humanity.
The doc’s director, Trish Adlesic approached Idina about writing the song. Idina told Billboard:
“When I saw [the documentary], the bravery of the attack’s survivors and family members in telling such a difficult and personal story moved me beyond words. I immediately recruited my songwriting collaborator Kate Diaz, and we asked Trish to send us three words for inspiration in writing the song. She sent: honor, tribute, unity. I wanted to use my music not only to support and honor these courageous souls, but to make sure the film reaches across the globe to inspire action on anti-semitism and hate in all forms.
I am Jewish and the film touched me in a very personal way. However, I wrote this song because the film’s story is a human one. The film starts out telling an American-Jewish story, then a Pittsburgh story, and now in its ultimate form the film is a universal story told through the voices of the family members of those so wrongfully taken and those that survived on October 27th, 2018.
The question of how we respond to the Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooting and what actions we must take to ensure that it never happens again goes directly to the heart of America’s democracy. If any one of us is truly to be safe and free, then we have to ensure freedom and safety for all of our neighbors, regardless of creed, race, class, gender, sexuality, or ethnicity.”
Idina attended the premiere last week and I added photos to the gallery:
The World Premiere of “Idina Menzel: Which Way To The Stage?” is taking place at DOC NYC, America’s largest documentary festival, on November 13! The in-person screening will feature a Q&A with Idina Menzel and the film’s director, Anne McCabe. A virtual streaming option is also available so that you can stream the movie before it premieres on Disney+ on December 9! In case you missed it earlier this week:
Beloved Tony Award-winning actress and singer Idina Menzel’s many triumphs include iconic turns on Broadway in productions of Rent and Wicked, as well as on film as the voice of Elsa in Disney’s Frozen. Yet one dream has evaded her: to headline a concert at the world-famous Maison Square Garden in her hometown of New York City. Filmmaker Anne McCabe follows Menzel on a national tour over the course of 16 shows as she juggles the challenges of being a working mom with a grueling travel schedule.
Idina Menzel and Kate Diaz have written a song for the upcoming HBO Original documentary film, A TREE OF LIFE: THE PITTSBURGH SYNAGOGUE SHOOTING. Idina sings the original song, which is called “A Tree of Life” and you can hear part of it in the trailer above.
On October 27, 2018, a gunman opened fire inside a Pittsburgh synagogue, killing eleven people as they prayed, in what would become the deadliest antisemitic attack in American history. A TREE OF LIFE: THE PITTSBURGH SYNAGOGUE SHOOTING is a deeply personal portrait of the survivors, victims and their family members, who share their harrowing first-hand accounts of the impact of the shooting on the community.
The film is rooted in a community in the aftermath of a violent attack, as they work to rebuild and heal. Despite core differences, they come together to determine what justice looks like and how to best move forward while honoring and learning from the past. The film sheds light on the collective trauma suffered by a tight-knit group and brings into sharp focus the hate-based rhetoric that surrounds many of the mass shootings today, threatening the fabric of our society.
The story of the attack is told through voices from the community, including Carol Black, Dr. Joseph Charny, Anthony Fienberg, Audrey Glickman, Daniel Leger, Hannibal Lokumbe, Wasi Mohamed, Rabbi Jeffrey Myers, Brad Orsini, Rabbi Jonathan Perlman, Michele Rosenthal, Diane Rosenthal, Augie Siriano, Ellen Surloff, Andrea Wedner, Stephen Weiss and Barry Werber.
The documentary premieres Wednesday, October 26, at 9/8c on HBO & HBO Max.
