Liberty Heights. 1999. Written and directed by Barry Levinson

Film

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Liberty Heights. 1999. USA. Written and directed by Barry Levinson. Courtesy of Photofest

Liberty Heights. 1999. USA. Written and directed by Barry Levinson. With Adrien Brody, Joe Mantegna, Bebe Neuwirth. 35mm. 127 min.

Ben Kurtzman wants to go swimming in 1954 Baltimore—but a sign bars Jews, African Americans, and dogs from enjoying a refreshing dip. None of it makes sense to Ben, who lives in a predominantly Jewish enclave in Liberty Heights. Ben develops a crush on Sylvia, a classmate whose presence at his school is a direct result of the Brown vs. Board of Education decision. His older brother Van is also attracted to an “off limits” girl, in his case a country club “deb.” Ben is a thinly veiled Barry Levinson substitute, giving us a nostalgic insight into the filmmaker’s formative years.

This film accompanies Modern Matinees: Barry Levinson.

Past events

Wed, Aug 29, 2018, 1:30 p.m.

MoMA, Floor T2, Theater 2

The Roy and Niuta Titus Theater 2
Thu, Jul 26, 2018, 1:30 p.m.

MoMA, Floor T2, Theater 2

The Roy and Niuta Titus Theater 2

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