Laura Seltzer-Duny, Director/Producer
Laura Seltzer-Duny spent over 2 years developing and creating this film. She is currently is spearheading the distribution of Nobody Wants Us and educational materials to schools and communities throughout the country through her distributor New Day Films. She has a special interest in producing documentaries featuring unsung heroes and the communities they help. As an impact producer, Laura has produced many stories shedding light on environmental, social justice, and mental health issues.
Laura founded Seltzer Film & Video over 15 years ago and her company has produced hundreds of videos for non-profits and educational institutions. She is an award-winning PBS documentary and educational filmmaker and is based in the Washington, DC area.
Robert Kanner, Editor
Robert Kanner spent many hours editing alongside the filmmaker to bring her vision into reality. His masterful editing skills helped tell this story in a fresh, new way. Robert has been producing and editing projects for domestic and international clients for over 39 years. He has worked with USA Today, CBS News, the BBC, MetroMedia and Asgard Entertainment. Robert has received 5 Emmy awards for his work and numerous Telly Awards for excellence in programming. Documentary storytelling is Robert's first love in editing.
Pauline Leger, our film's Watercolor Artist
Pauline Leger hand-painted the numerous watercolor images in Nobody Wants Us from archival images, playing a crucial role in bringing this story to life. She is a mixed media artist and graphic designer who has been in the art industry for over 25 years. She has taught classes in Graphic Design and has designed and illustrated several published books for children and adults. She continues to be inspired by books, nature and stories that connect us to one another. Pauline lives near the ocean, on the east coast of Canada.
Victoria Bruce, Script Supervisor & Researcher
After our story development phase, Victoria Bruce helped us finalize our script for Nobody Wants Us. She has written and produced award-winning documentaries airing on HBO, CBS’s 60 minutes and featured at Sundance Film Festival. She is the author of four books on topics from volcanoes to international politics. Victoria is a skilled media coach with experience in promoting film and book projects as well as small businesses and political campaigns.
Producer / Director:
Laura Seltzer-Duny
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Executive Producers:
(link to Executive Producers bios)
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Editors:
Bob Kanner
Nathan Simms
Laura Seltzer-Duny
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Written By:
Laura Seltzer-Duny
Writer:
Victoria Bruce
Watercolor Paintings:
Pauline Leger
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Educational Program Creators:
Professor Howard Kerner
Laura Seltzer-Duny
Lindsey Horner,
eMediaVA Manager, WHRO / PBS
(annotated with VA SOL and Curriculum Framework USII.7b, WHII.11d, VUS.11e)
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Historical Accuracy & Educational Program Advisors:
Michael Berenbaum,
Director of the Sigi Ziering Institute & Project Director at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Olivia Mattis,
President and COO, The Sousa Mendes Foundation
Miriam Klein Kassenoff,
Director, Holocaust Institute, University of Miami
Elena Barr Baum,
Director, Holocaust Commission of the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater
Rebecca N. Eichler,
Esq., Immigration Attorney
Howard Kerner,
English Professor and Holocaust Educator
Mark Friedman,
E-Learning & Virtual Analytics Analyst
Ellen Widawsky,
Educational Initiatives, Sousa Mendes Foundation & Library Media Specialist
Blanche Wiesen Cook,
Author of Eleanor Roosevelt, Vol. I, II & IIIProfessor of History & Women's Studies, John Jay College
Cast: (in order of appearance)
Simone Neufeld
Irving Redel
Annette Lachmann
Lee Sterling
Stephen Morewitz, Ph.D.
Kathi Rand
Dr. Harry A. Morewitz
David E. Morewitz, Esq.
Duke Rosenberg
Blanche Wiesen Cook
Commentary:
Tali Kogan
Aaron MacDonald
Nandi Maravanyaka
Rayahah Williams
Miriam Gorbach
Shara Mahara
Sydney Konopaske
Evan Johnson
Joseph Olmo
Voice Actors: (in order of appearance)
Carly McCance, Voice of Young Simone Neufeld
Erin Pake, Voice of Young Malvina Parnes
Keiran Law, Voice of Young Irving Redel
Rich Orlow, Voice of Wolf Rand
Chris McCann, Voice of Sousa Mendes
Devin Albert, Voice of Harry Alan Morewitz
James Tuckett, Voice of Asst. Sec. of State Breckinridge Long
Laura Copeland, Voice of Eleanor Roosevelt
Dr. Steven Seltzer, Voice of J.L. Morewitz, Esq.
Sally Morewitz Seltzer, Voice of Elise Margolius
Sara Traster, Voice of Sallie Rome Morewitz
Mike C. Manning, Voice of Young Duke Rosenberg
Rich Orlow, Voice of Rabbi Stephen Wise
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Actor reenactments based on
first-hand accounts of the events.
Videographers:
Karin Hayes
Fredric King
Christopher Landy
Laura Seltzer-Duny
Andrew Quinn
Grips & Gaffers:
Austin Cross
Andrew Sadtler
Chris Ruedy
William Sprueill
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Audio Mixers:
Jillian Kuchman
Zahid "Zee" Rahman
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Graphics:
Emmaline Powers
Nathan Simms
Reilly Thate
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Assistant Editors:
Jacqueline Brown
Reilly Thate
Megan ‘Mia’ Bryant
Nia Gomez
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Casting Assistant:
Eve Elliott
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Production Assistants:
Kristen McDevitt
Tali Kogan
June Fortuno
Archival Photos:
David E. Morewitz, Esq.
Stephen Morewitz, Ph.D.
Dr. Lora Friedman
Victoria Redel
Suzanne Lachmann
Francine Goldenhar
Susan Pachter
Daily Press
FDR Library
New York Times
Ohef Sholom Temple Archives
Norfolk, VA
Norfolk Public Library,
Sargeant Memorial Collection
Norfolk Virginian Pilot
Peninsula Jewish
Historical Society
Washington Post
Sousa Mendes Foundation
Virginia Historical Society
Holocaust Commission,
United Jewish
Federation of Tidewater
Special Thanks:
National Council of Jewish Women Norfolk Chapter including:
Justine Nusbaum, Doris Kaufmann, Rita Rosenberg, Eloise VanOs and Elise Margolius
Herbert Gertz, the local chair of the National Refugees Committee
Professor Eric Mazur
Ellen Widawsky
Victoria Redel
Suzanne Lachmann
Susan Pachter
David Duny
Marshall & Freida Duny
Steve & Sally Seltzer
Dr. David Kenneth Waldman
Frank Lachmann
Peter Lachmann
Collin Rice
Burt M. Morewitz, Esq.
Beth Shalom Congregation,
San Francisco, CA
Sutton Place Synagogue,
New York, NY
Temple Beth Shalom,
Cherry Hill, NJ
Congregation Beth Emeth,
Herndon, VA
Young Leaders Institute
Nadia Hassan
Dr. Lora Friedman
Jane Zweifler
Jayne Zilber
Joanne Roos
Martin Meyer
Malvina Parnes
Myra Kalkin Morewitz
Roy H. Lasris, Esq.
Yehuda Goldman
SueAnne Bangel
Susan Lieberman
Foundation for Ethnic Understanding
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Archival Footage Acquisitions:
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Archive Films by Getty Images
British Pathe
Buyout Footage
Critical Past
DV Archives
E.C.P.A. Photo Cinema
Videos des Armees
Imperial War Museums
Lion Brave Archives
Shutter Stock
Sousa Mendes Foundation
Transit Film
U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum
U.S. National Archives
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Educational Distributor:
New Day Films
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Fiscal Sponsor:
Women in Film & Video, Inc.
Major Funding by:
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Additional Funding by:
Nancy N. Nusbaum and V.H. Nusbaum, Jr, the Hampton Roads Community Foundation
Linda and Alan Kahn Foundation
Sanford A. Ibrahim
Rabbi Marc Schneier, The Foundation for Ethnic Understanding
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Further Funding by:
Mr. and Mrs. Michael Witkin
Victoria and Jessica Redel
Ben Silverman
Jerry and Mary Jane Morewitz
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Supported by:
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Richard Weingarten
William L and Sharon K Nusbaum
Virginia Diezel
Ellen Reynolds
Mona Golabek
Freida and Marshall Duny
Joseph and Marjorie Shapiro
Sandra Ramirez
David Neufeld
Blanche Wiesen Cook
Marvin Sippel
Ellen Krouss
Deborah Hoffman
Nuno Filipe Nunes
Alan Yanofsky
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Additional Support:
Glen L and Janis D Rotner
Bettie Minette Cooper
Charles M and Lynda M Furchgott
Richard Weingarten
Ina & Moss Friedman
Mimi Sandler
Carol Leimas
Dori Katz and Andrew Gold
Benna Thompson
Sara Zuckerman
Marilyn Sacher
Kevin Brady
Gale and Howard Zeidman
Reuben and Judith Rohn
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Brodbar
Marjorie Ellenbogen
Barbara Sacks-Singer & Steven Singer
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