19 June
Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival - Interview with Hilary Helstein 
June 18, 2025 "Goodness is the Ability to Own One´s Mistakes and Shortcomings" - Interview with Joel Orloff
June 12, 2025 The Greek Orphanage In Büyükada will Become a Hotel
"Make the World a Better Place by Making People Laugh and Think" - Interview with Martin Lewis
June 23, 2025
By Bessy ADUT
The 20th Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival begins on Thursday, June 26, with a full week of new films. The opening night gala film is a premiere for the new feature film titled Midas Man, about Beatles manager Brian Epstein who was the man behind the band that changed the world!
Midas Man, is written by Brigit Grant and directed by Joe Stephenson. In place of a red carpet, the opening event has an “Abbey Road” for arrivals including film and TV celebrities plus local government and consulate representatives.
Midas Man is the story of Brian Epstein, a gay, Jewish maverick and his rollercoaster journey of ambition, passion and relentless pursuit of greatness. He was instrumental in the Beatles’ rise and worldwide success. The dramatic feature film stars Emily Watson, Eddie Marsan, Jay Leno (Ed Sullivan), “Suzy” Eddie Izzard, and, as The Beatles, Blake Richardson (McCartney), Jonah Lees (Lennon), Leo Harvey-Elledge (Harrison), and Campbell Wallace (Ringo).
Following the film there will be a Q&A featuring filmmakers Brigit Grant (film’s writer), Joe Stephenson (film’s director), Jonah Lees (Lennon) with Beatles historian, expert, Martin Lewis, whom I've had the honor of interviewing, as you can see below.
The full LAJFF runs from June 26 to July 1, 2025, with a film lineup including first run documentary and features from around the world. Full schedule and ticket information at https://lajfilmfest.org/
You may click on the link below for
Where are you located?
Currently in my very nice bedroom. And that is located in the leafy, verdant surrounds of Laurel Canyon in Los Angeles. A beautiful oasis where many of the great music-creating hippies of the 1960s lived. I try to channel that beautiful flower-power energy every day…
What are your current projects?
Immediately – as in this month of June 2025… On Thursday June 26th, in Beverly Hills, I will be moderating the panel discussion on the opening night of the Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival. They are showing a new biographical film about Brian Epstein – the man who discovered the Beatles and made them global mega-stars.
I’ve been asked because (A) I’m one of the world’s leading Beatles scholars (B) I have spent the last 30 years advocating that this wonderful man should be more appreciated for his crucial role in their success (C) I’m the oldest British-Jewish Beatles Historian in L.A. that the organizers know…
My main current project? I am in the middle of writing my memoirs. I’ve had a very long and exciting life. It’s time to write it all down before someone else doesn’t do it…
Please share how you started and got to where you are today...
My working life started when I was a 14-year-old Beatles fan. I discovered that there was going to be an authorized biography published about the Beatles. I telephoned the publisher out-of-the-blue and managed to convince him that I should help them with the book! Of course, I received no money and no credit. It was the perfect preparation for what life would be like in the entertainment world! But I don’t regret that I did it. It opened up a lot of doors for me…
Martin Lewis with Paul McCartney
Has it been a smooth road?
In a word: NO! It has been a bumpy, lumpy, jumpy, frumpy, crazy long and winding road. And I have loved every minute of my journey…
Could you tell us more about your life and career?
I’m 137 years-old. There is far too much to tell in this article.
But people can read my general biography online. It is so long that it also serves as a cure for insomnia…
There’s a much shorter version for those who don’t like long words or long reads…
Links to both versions are below.
...with Sting
What do you think goodness is?
Nelson Mandela coming out of prison after 27 long and cruel years – and forgiving the people who put him in jail.
Who are you outside of your professional life?
I’m a lover of the music of the 1960s. A lover of the films of Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers. A lover of cooking. A lover of my true friends.
...with Wham
Are you interested in environmental issues?
Yes.
Do you think the world is not a good place right now?
It’s a total disaster. We have been overtaken by the “Blue Meanies” (Google it!) I’m hoping young people will rise up and save our planet. My generation tried in the 1960s. But we didn’t finish the job. And the messages of “All You Need Is Love” and “Imagine” are being ignored.
How do you make the world a better place?
By trying to make people laugh. And think. Both are hard to do these days...
...with Bruce Springsteen & Steven Van Zandt
How can we all make the world better?
By understanding that voting in elections is not an optional thing if you feel like it. Each of us has a civic duty to vote in every election. Even if we don’t totally love the candidate on our particular side. When you don’t vote a terrible thing happens… People who don’t respect you will be running your life and the lives of others. People DIED for you to have the right to vote. So please respect those people and VOTE in every election for the rest of your life! (And – if you can - in every election after you die…)
How can science and spirituality coexist?
With a little thing called tolerance. And another little thing called. R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Which is also a great song written by Otis Redding and sung by Miss Aretha Franklin.
If you could go anywhere, where would you go (and why)?
The Dordogne region of France. Why? The Confit d’Oie (slow-cooked preserved goose), the Magret de Canard (grilled duck breast), the Foie Gras (humanely-raised goose liver pate), Pommes Sarladaises (potatoes sauteed with garlic in duck fat)...
And the tranquility is divine…
...while working with Robert De Niro
Is there anything else you'd like to share with us?
I would like to share Elon Musk’s bank account with everyone in the world. He has far too much money. There are 8 billion people on this planet. Many of them apparently children of Elon Musk… His money could ease a lot of pain and suffering. And sharing his money might make Elon a little less hateful…
Please provide shareable links (website, social media)...
My website: www.MartinLewis.com
My full biography: www.MartinLewis.com/biography
My short biography: www.MartinLewis.com/headlines
Please provide media links to share...
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