Meet the Filmmaker: Harvey Chertok
Meet the Filmmaker: Harvey Chertok
“The Impossible Spy”
Date: Monday, January 9, 2012
Location: NY NATAS, 1375 Broadway (between 37thand 38thStreets), Suite 2103
Reception: 6:00-6:30 PM ~ Program: 6:30-8:00 PM
*Free to NY NATAS Members!
$15 for those without current NY NATAS membership.
“The Impossible Spy” (starring John Shea & Eli Wallach), is a true-story Feature Film about one of history’s greatest spies. Its HBO premiere was reviewed by The New York Times as, “a portrait of spies and spying that is as chilling as it is compelling,” and is now enjoying a renaissance with a new Collector’s Edition DVD. It has been screened as a Special Event at the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC. There, it was introduced by spymaster/author, Wesley Britton, and the film’s Executive Producer, Harvey Chertok.
Here are several reviews:
“A gripping spy story of heroism, manipulation and betrayal – blended with a potent anti-war message” - Associated Press
“Elie Cohen sure makes a whizbang central figure for a telefilm. John Shea is solid as the hard-working Cohen, and Sasson Gabay gives a refreshingly touching and human portrayal.” – Variety
“A suspense-filled and well-played drama. Shea’s carefully controlled performance as the man who led that double life, heightens the sense of jeopardy in a script that carefully avoids the temptation to exploit the obvious. The Syrian president is well-played by Sasson Gabay, and the authentic Israeli backdrop is a definite asset.” - Houston Chronicle
The film, a Quartet International and BBC-TV co-production, is about Israeli spy, Elie Cohen, who in the 1960’s was sent to Syria, via Argentina. Cohen was so successful in infiltrating the Syrian High Command, that he was nominated to be their Deputy Defense Minister--and 3rd in line for the Presidency! Unbelievable, but all true. Most importantly, the information that he was able to gather by an unprecedented visit to the gun emplacements in the Golan Heights, was vital for Israel’s victory and the swift outcome of the June 1967 Six-Day War.
As he did at the Spy Museum, Harvey Chertok will introduce his film with the backstory of how this movie came to be produced. Chertok will chronicle the extraordinary obstacles that had to be overcome including, a confrontation with the CIA about obtaining its Elie Cohen file via the Freedom of Information Act and the need to get permission from the Israeli Government to make this movie about its National Hero.
About the Filmmaker:
Harvey Chertok is the President of Quartet International, Inc., a worldwide production and distribution company, and was the Series Coordinator for this program. Currently, he is also the Scholarship & Education Co-Chair for the NY Chapter of NATAS and a former National Trustee. He also co-produced “Hermitage Masterpieces”, an extraordinary 18 Half-Hour art history series – from Ancient China to 20th Century France – which will begin airing regularly on WLIW/CHANNEL 21 starting Sunday, January 8th at 1:00PM, and is now available on DVD. This series was researched and authenticated by the Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg, Russia. Chertok is also currently distributing several other programs including “Over The Edge”, a reality TV series.
RESERVATIONS REQUIRED DUE TO BUILDING SECURITY. ALL NAMES MUST BEON GUEST LIST. Please RSVP via email info@nyemmys.org to reserve a seat.Please write “The Impossible Spy” in the subject line. Space is limited.
Producer & Moderated by Sumner Jules Glimcher.
Location:
NY NATAS
1375 Broadway
New York
,
NY 10018