Leonard Kurz film debuts at Grinnell

by Patrick Caldwell

Grinnell, Iowa is not the first place that comes to mind as the location for a film premire. But this is where filmmaker and alumnus Leonard Kurz ’75 brought his new film, Kitka and Davka in Concert: Old and New World Jewish Music, for its first public showing last week.

The film, set to air on public television stations starting in December, is a performance special of Kitka, a female vocal group, and Davka, a male instrumental group. For this performance—only the second time the two groups have worked together—the groups played a combination of traditional Jewish music along with original compositions.

The film screening, organized by Rabbi Daveen Litwin and the Jewish student group Chalutzim (which means Pioneers in Hebrew), came at an important time of year for the Jewish students on campus, falling between the holidays of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. “Between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is a time when many Jews are thinking about what it means to them to connect to Judaism,” said Litwin.

Kurz first became interested in film at Grinnell, where he was a history major. “I saw many films on Africa and Asia, and also The Grapes of Wrath, and was very impressed by the power of film,” he said. He went on to create a film as a course project during his junior year.

Kurz’s Grinnell-bred belief in social justice has affected the projects he has taken on as a filmmaker. “I am not doing what I do to become rich or famous,” he said. His past documentaries have addressed issues like child abuse, and his next film, Free the Children, depicts the work of an organization that fights child labor around the world.

Although the film screening was Kurz’s first time on campus in 17 years, he has remained involved with the college community. According to Jaime Frankle ’08, co-leader of Chalutzim, he has provided funding for the group and helped students get internships in film and media.

Kurtz’s decision to premier Kitka and Davka in Concert at Grinnell came from his wish to connect with the students at his alma mater. “I wanted it to be a cultural experience that people could share,” he said, “and perhaps a spiritual experience.”