THE LAST LAUGH
Film - International Independents Filmfest 2016

THE LAST LAUGH

Directed by Ferne Pearlstein

Info

Director: Ferne Pearlstein
Section: International Independents
Country: USA
Year: 2016
Language: English
Version: Original version
Cast: Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner, Sarah Silverman, Renee Firestone, Abraham Foxman
18+ (no age rating)

Logline

THE LAST LAUGH

Is it okay to make jokes about the Shoa? Director Ferne Pearlstein talks to Jewish comedians and celebs like Sarah Silverman, Mel Brooks, Rob Reiner, his father Carl and SNL vet Alan Zweibel, using film clips, rare archival footage and an interview with a Holocaust survivor to explore where humor ends and horror begins. We see cabaret in the camps and laughter against suffering. An illuminating doc with serious overtones and spot-on punchlines.

Meet the director

THE LAST LAUGH

Ferne Pearlstein

Ferne Pearlstein graduated from the International Center for Photography, New York City, and the Stanford documentary department. She worked as cinematographer, editor, screenwriter and director, winning numerous awards. Her doc SUMO EAST AND WEST (2003), which she produced, directed and edited, was screened at several international festivals and on PBS‘ Independent Lens series. She also directed DITA AND THE FAMILY BUSINESS and three short films.

Credits

Screenplay: Robert Edwards, Ferne Pearlstein
Director of Photography: Ferne Pearlstein, Anne Etheridge
Film Editor: Ferne Pearlstein
Sound: Richard Fleming, Nico Ruderman
Producer: Ferne Pearlstein, Robert Edwards, Amy Hobby, Anne Hubbell, Jan Warner
Production Company: Tangerine Entertainment
Co-Producer: Anne Etheridge, Dori Stegman
Co-Production Company: Common Pilgrim LLC