"The Collector of Bedford Street"is now available [news/opinion]

The Collector of Bedford Street is a fantastic, touching and remarkable documentary by Alice Elliott which centers on Larry, a disadvantaged man, who lives across the street from her. The film has won numerous awards and was nominated for an Academy Award. Plus, Alice and the folks that live in Larry's neighborhood have rallied together to help him. This is not only a remarkable film, but a reminder that there really is still good in the world.

I was fortunate to see the film and meet Alice and Larry when my film The Bronx Boys screened along with theirs at HBO's Frame by Frame Festival in New York. I can still remember sitting in the theater, settling in to see the films and see how the audience would react to my film, when...

In came Alice, a kind, motherly woman, and Larry, a developmentally disabled man wearing his trademark suspenders. I had no idea who they were at that point. I heard Larry tell Alice in a voice much louder than one usually hears in a movie theater, "I want to sit up front," and she said that was OK, but that she was going to sit a little further back. Several quiet minutes went by and then Larry broke the silence by shouting in his distinctive New York twang, "Aaaalice?"
Quietly and calmly Alice replied, "Yes Larry?"
"I'm excited Alice. I hope the movie starts soon....Are you sure you don't want to sit down here?"
"I'm OK up here Larry," Alice said kindly.
"Ohh-Kaay Aaalice."

The exchange was so cute. After the film I had to introduce myself to Alice and Larry and tell them how amazing I thought the film was. It was a real pleasure meeting them, and then I bought one of Larry's buttons (pictured above).

A couple days later, my friends Rik and Nini joined me for part of that week of screenings, and I made sure they saw Alice and Larry's film. Afterward I introduced them to Alice (Larry wasn't with her that day) and we all bought more buttons to help Larry. A few months later Rik spent some time with Alice when his film, The Least of These, and hers were being awarded at the prestigious Heartland Film Festival -- small world.

Later that year, The Bronx Boys was programmed for several weeks in Laemmle Theatre Chain's "Bagels & Docs" Jewish Film Series in Los Angeles. They said that since my film was just 45 minutes, they were looking for another film to pair it with. Immediately I suggested The Collector of Bedford Street, and even though they had previously screened the film as part of their series of Academy Award nominated films, they brought it back. I was very pleased.

Consequently, I have seen this film over a dozen or more times, and every time it touches me. I can't recommend it enough. Please get yourself a copy. Not only will you enjoy and be touched by the film, but you'll also be helping Larry.

Watch the trailer here.

Visit the web site here.

Information on purchasing the film is here.