Presenting Partner
Signature Partners
World Premiere
The Last Laugh
Spotlight
| USA | 89 MINUTES | English | English subtitlesFemale Director(s), Comedy, Documentary, Female Screenwriter(s)
Is the Holocaust funny? Director Ferne Pearlstein (Sumo East and West, Imelda) doesn’t shy away from the taboo topic of humor, delving deep into pop-culture to find out where to draw the line, and whether that is a desirable—or even possible—goal.
The Last Laugh pairs clips from films, performances, and interviews with top comedians and prominent Jewish leaders (including Mel Brooks, Sarah Silverman, Joan Rivers, Louis C.K., Chris Rock, Abraham Foxman, and Shalom Auslander) with an intimate portrait of Auschwitz survivor Renee Firestone, and rare archival footage of cabarets in concentration camps. From this wealth of material, Pearlstein weaves together a complete and thoughtful exploration into the question of what is and is not off-limits in comedy. The answers are as diverse as the subjects she interviews. There is no consensus on which jokes work and which don't, and the film doesn’t take a stance; instead, it invites you to think, to laugh, and to remember, all the while keeping its levity.
—Jule Rozite
The Last Laugh pairs clips from films, performances, and interviews with top comedians and prominent Jewish leaders (including Mel Brooks, Sarah Silverman, Joan Rivers, Louis C.K., Chris Rock, Abraham Foxman, and Shalom Auslander) with an intimate portrait of Auschwitz survivor Renee Firestone, and rare archival footage of cabarets in concentration camps. From this wealth of material, Pearlstein weaves together a complete and thoughtful exploration into the question of what is and is not off-limits in comedy. The answers are as diverse as the subjects she interviews. There is no consensus on which jokes work and which don't, and the film doesn’t take a stance; instead, it invites you to think, to laugh, and to remember, all the while keeping its levity.
—Jule Rozite
Cast & Credits
Directed by
Ferne Pearlstein
One of a handful of female cinematographers in Kodak's “On Film” campaign for American Cinematographer, Ferne Pearlstein has directed, produced, photographed and/or edited dozens of films including Sumo East and West, Imelda (2004 Sundance Documentary Cinematography Prize), Dita and the Family Business, One More Time and Land of the Blind.
Director
Ferne Pearlstein
Screenwriter
Robert Edwards, Ferne Pearlstein
Producer
Ferne Pearlstein, Robert Edwards, Amy Hobby, Anne Hubbell, Jan Warner
Editor
Ferne Pearlstein
Associate Producer
Yelena Rachitsky, Adrienne Collatos
Director of Photography
Ferne Pearlstein
Cinematographer
Ferne Pearlstein, Anne Etheridge
Co-Producer
Anne Etheridge, Dori Stegman
Cast
Renee Firestone, Mel Brooks, Sarah Silverman, Carl Reiner, Gilbert Gottfried, Judy Gold, Susie Essman, Alan Zweibel, Abraham Foxman, David Cross, Shalom Auslander, Deb Filler, Hanala Sagal, Roz Weinman, Jake Ehrenreich, Elly Gross
Contacts
US Sales Contact
Print Source
Publicist
Press Contact
Michelle DiMartino
Falco Ink
New York, New York 10016
Phone: 212 445 7100
michelledimartino@falcoink.com
Falco Ink
New York, New York 10016
Phone: 212 445 7100
michelledimartino@falcoink.com
International Sales Contact
* Rush Tickets available at venue except for
Beacon Theatre
Beacon Theatre
Rush will be offered when advanced tickets for a screening or event are no longer available at venues
other than Beacon Theatre.
The Rush system functions as a standby line that will form at the venue approximately one hour prior to scheduled start time. Admittance is based on availability and will begin roughly 10 minutes prior to program start time. Rush Tickets are the same price as advance tickets and are payable upon entry.
The Rush system functions as a standby line that will form at the venue approximately one hour prior to scheduled start time. Admittance is based on availability and will begin roughly 10 minutes prior to program start time. Rush Tickets are the same price as advance tickets and are payable upon entry.
