I BELIEVE IN AMERICA

By David Perlstein | September 14, 2018

The film begins with the screen black. A man’s voice declares, “I believe in America!” His Italian accent tells us he’s an immigrant. The camera then reveals him in closeup—mustache and suit as black as the background in which he seems suspended. A humble if successful undertaker, he pleads with someone we cannot see: His…

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BLAMING THE VICTIM

By David Perlstein | March 18, 2016

A woman my age recently suffered sexual harassment. Her story says a lot about how we still treat women in our enlightened American society, the San Francisco Bay Area included. It also delivers a sad message about how money undermines decency. “Evelyn” decided to move from her condo to an independent living facility. “It had…

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