Produced in association with Arigatou International, filmmaker Jeff Oppenheim chronicles the issue of safeguarding children, particularly in the midst of global seismic displacement being caused by armed conflict, poverty, and increasing natural disasters. These factors are putting children at risk even more so, leaving them vulnerable to violence, exploitation and abuse, while disrupting their basic human rights to education and healthcare. While many governments and their leaders are stymied by the deep politics inherent in the issue of forced migration, interfaith leaders and likeminded organizations are joining forces and resources to respond well beyond a prayer. The feature-length (90-mins) documentary explores the ever-growing global humanitarian crisis of forced migration to highlight the dangers faced by children and chronicles the growing interfaith partnerships safeguarding children globally.
An investigative documentary about Elmyr de Hory, one of history's most notorious art forgers who is alleged to have painted thousands of fakes but never convicted. The film re-opens the criminal case, examining his art, life and crimes.
@Suite24k, Real Fake Film and Bellota Pictures partnered on this made for TV French documentary for Arte TV. Based on the research and story by Jeff Oppenheim, the TV film tells the story of one of the greatest art forgers who ever lived—Elmyr de Hory.
As part of a fundraising and awareness campaign to celebrate and support the NYC Public Hospitals, we produced a mini documentary on the legendary funk band Parliament Funk and screened it at the famed Apollo Theater in Harlem, NY as part of the 70th birthday celebration for frontman George Clinton.
As part of the International Kuduristas campaign, we created a series of digital teaching assets to support an integrated African studies teaching program through the music and dance craze known as Kuduro. Here is one of the digital short-form pieces that offers a history in not just the music and dance but the country of Angola.
How do you introduce international audiences to a new music and dance genre? First, you have to understand its roots. We spent time in the streets and clubs of Angola where kuduro music and dance was born. We met the acrobatic dancers, MCs and DJs and created Os Kuduristas (www.oskuduristas.com) as the 360-platform to introduce this uniquely Angolan music, dance and lifestyle to Western markets.
We launched Os Kuduristas with a series of street dance battles in Stockholm, Paris, and Amsterdam. Top Angolan Kuduristas challenged dancers of many styles: hip hop, locking, popping, breakdancing, wacking and more. In each market, dancers presented kuduro in both battle form and workshop forums to enrich the cultural exchange. Our dance crew was led by dancer/choreographer, Manuel Kanza, who was the winner of the 2008 hit Angolan TV dance competition, “Bounce”. His crew consisted of Celestino, Mirene, Oliveira, and Fogo de Deus. This was the first time any of the dancers had ever left their country, let alone continent.
As part of the International Kuduristas campaign we executive produced an international exchange between high school students from Brooklyn, Queens NY and Luanda (Africa) to push past geographical boundaries by exploring the new music and dance genre coming from Angola, Africa; Kuduro. This short version of the documentary chronicles the cross-cultural exchange between two NYC public high schools and a high school in Luanda, Angola. Together they share music, dance, laughter and in the process learn all about each other's cultures.
Set against the mystic and surreal landscape of Nepal and the High Himalaya is a story of a mountain, a 75-year old man, and his team of climbers. More than a mountaineering story, the TV length documentary by Jeff Oppenheim is metaphor for living life to its fullest and the value of teamwork. With playful bravado and Ukulele in hand, the three men set out on journey to go where no person has ever been before--the summit of Burke Khang.
A short-form documentary about an artist collaboration in celebration of the Jewish holiday of Sukkoth commissioned by the JJC of Harlem--where community is at the center in partnership with Art in FLUX.
We partnered with filmmaker Robin Leacock in the creation of her documentary “A Passion For Giving” which celebrates the personal joy and satisfaction of philanthropic giving. A PASSION FOR GIVING, is about philanthropy and giving and is meant to inspire people to help others. In the documentary Leacock speaks with many prominent philanthropists. The 50 min film which aired nationally on PBS offers a stylish and uplifting conversation with fascinating people, some famous some not, who are actively engaged in helping other people, animals and the planet. The film debuted at the Hamptons Film Festival in 2009.
In this excerpt the filmmaker chats with Rev, Run of Run DMC fame, about his work with troubled kids through adoption and mentoring programs.
A short form documentary on the worldwide issue of human trafficking. It was recently presented as part of a meeting at the United Nations, highlighting the problem, especially in conflict zones, and illustrating 10 ideas for action that can be adopted by the UN Security Council. We partnered with Reuters and the United Nations to gather footage from around the world for this project.