Film Festival to Feature a Septuagenarian Annie Hall

Age-Friendly Teaneck is proud to sponsor the Teaneck International Film Festival’s showing of an old classic with a new, or some might say, older twist. 
     My Annie Hall is a senior citizen version of the Woody Allen favorite. The directors, 29-year-old Matt Starr and 25-year-old Ellie Sachs, received Allen’s blessing on the remake, which stars seniors from Lenox Hill Neighborhood House in New York City.
“We are delighted to sponsor a film that celebrates the talents of senior citizens and demonstrates the value of a relationship between young and old.” said Jacqueline Kates, Project Coordinator of Age-Friendly Teaneck.
     This half-hour feature will be shown at the 13th annual Teaneck International Film Festival on Sunday, November 4, followed by a panel discussion with the two directors, Starr and Sachs, and the lead actors, 94-year-old Harry B. Miller (in the role of Alvy Singer) and 73-year-old Shula Chernick (playing Annie).   
     Also joining in what is sure to be a lively discussion is New York Times writer John Leland, author of the bestselling book Happiness Is a Choice You Make: Lessons From a Year Among the Oldest Old. 
     In March, Leland wrote an article about the young filmmakers and its senior citizen stars, describing how Starr and Sachs felt they “had new friends and surrogate grandparents,” by the time the final scene was shot.
Leland’s article created a buzz, and multiple print and television media have since run features about this story of young and old working together and learning from each other.
     TIFF Executive Director Jeremy Lentz says he is thrilled to have this movie on the 2018 program, and to welcome these guests to Teaneck. 
     For more information, visit the directors’ websites: www.matt- starr.com and www.elliesachs.com. 
     Tickets go on sale Oct. 1, and the time of the showing and details about venues and other films at TIFF 2018 will be posted on the website: teaneckfilmfestival.org.

---