Events | Alexander Granach

Los Angeles | April 3, 2013 | 7:30 PM

Alexander Granach - From The Shtetl To Hollywood

Dir. Angelika Wittlich, Germany 2012, 105 min. digital

IN PERSON: Director Angelika Wittlich

The remarkable story of an unlikely path from a poverty-stricken, rough-and-tumble childhood to success as a leading stage and film actor in Weimar Germany. This is the account of a daring, curiosity-filled, and perceptive Jewish child from Galicia who was seized with a passion for the theater at the age of 14 and overcame great odds to pursue his dream. After working with directors such as Brecht and Murnau, Alexander Granach was forced to flee Germany for Russia. In November of 1937, he was arrested during the stalinistic purges on the grounds of espionage activities, but a successful intervention of Lion Feuchtwanger on his behalf persuaded Stalin to release Granach who then fled to Zurich, Switzerland.

He eventually ended up in the USA where he began his American career in Lubitsch's Ninotchka. He died in 1945 at only 52, just as the war was drawing to a close and he was looking forward to a reunion with Lotte Lieven, the love of his life.

Q and A and reception for the director following the screening.

RSVP required: Please write an email to infola@villa-aurora.org. You will receive a confirmation.

Tickets: Free for Friends of Villa Aurora // $ 5 for General Audiences (at the door)

Location: 520 Paseo Miramar, Los Angeles, CA 90272

Street parking is available on Los Liones Drive. Shuttle service begins at 6:30 pm and will start from Los Liones Drive, off Sunset Boulevard two blocks North-East of Pacific Coast Highway. Please do not park on the Topanga State Park Lot!

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