Homebound Through the World: The Lifetime Journey of Frederic Morton
A film screening & discussion at the Museum of Jewish Heritage
On Wednesday, November 10, 2010, celebrated author Frederic Morton (The Rothschilds) and director Andrea Eckert screened and discussed the U.S. premiere of Homebound Through the World: The Lifetime Journey of Frederic Morton (Austria, 2010, DVD, 58 min.) at the Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust.
This U.S. film premiere follows author Frederic Morton on a journey of discovery to his neighborhood in Vienna where he remembers his family and their difficult decision to leave their home for the United States. Morton, born Fritz Mandelbaum, emigrated in 1940. Austrian actress and director Andrea Eckert accompanied Morton to Thelemanngasse in Vienna, where his father owned an iron-ware shop until the “Anschluss.” Morton, a great storyteller, recalls his childhood memories of his grandfather, his parents, and their exile.
Frederic Morton is the author of 12 books, two of which, The Rothschilds and A Nervous Splendor, have been National Book Award finalists. The Rothschilds was made into a Tony Award-winning musical with Hal Linden and ran on Broadway for two years. A new musical adaptation of his novel A Nervous Splendor was performed in Budapest and in Tokyo in May 2008. Morton’s work has been anthologized in The Best American Short Stories 1965 as well as in The Best American Essays 2003.
Andrea Eckert is a respected stage and film actress, singer, and documentary filmmaker from Austria. Her favorite stage work includes the title roles in Judith, Maria Stuart, and Elektra, and the role of Maria Callas in Master Class. She also frequently appears on television. Her films include documentaries about Lucia Westerguard, Turhan Bey, and Leopold and Josefine Hawelka.
Images from the event, l.t.r.: Andreas Stadler, Andrea Eckert, Frederic Morton, Martin Rauchbauer (Click to enlarge)
