focus features Archives - The Culture Mom

“Victoria and Abdul” and High Tea at the Plaza Hotel: A Quintessential NYC Experience (+ Giveaway)

This past weekend my daughter and I had the most unique afternoon at the Paris Theatre and the Plaza Hotel in NYC. Given her British roots and ancestry, it could not have been a more perfect afternoon. A bit of Dame Judi Dench and cream tea all in one, I can't think of anything more sublime. We started our day at the Paris, a theatre I have long loved since my days of living in NYC. It's one of the city's most loved and authentic art film houses. We were there to see the new film, Victoria and Abdul, a quintessential English film depicting an Read More

The Zookeeper’s Wife, a Holocaust Film that Celebrates Light

Last week I screened The Zookeeper's Wife, a Holocaust-themed film directed by Niki Caro. The Holocaust is a very personal issue for me. My feelings have very deep roots, stemming back to my childhood and it often fuels my writing. I've interviewed survivors, written about my recent visits to concentration camps, talked about why my being a mother makes the connection even deeper, and why we must #NeverForget. I also gravitate towards Holocaust films and review them as often as possible. Holocaust films are not easy to make and I've watched my share Read More