Ruth Gruber celebrates 98th birthday for STF opening night

• by Raphaela Neihausen, September 30, 2009

On the eve of her 98th birthday, the pioneering journalist Ruth Gruber got a standing ovation for the documentary about her life AHEAD OF TIME, presented to a sold out crowd for STF’s opening night. The film marks the directorial debut of Bob Richman, the acclaimed cinematographer of THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE. This was the first sneak preview for AHEAD OF TIME following its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. The audience included several members of Gruber’s family and many directors who have previously worked with Richman, such as Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky (METALLICA: SOME KIND OF MONSTER), and Gaylen Ross (KILLING KASZTNER). In the Q&A afterwards, Gruber regaled the audience with stories of meeting Eleanor Roosevelt, Virginia Woolf and other historical figures. A favorite moment of mine was when the 200+ person audience sang Ruth a round of “Happy Birthday”.

After the screening, Gruber signed copies of her latest book WITNESS.

In keeping with STF tradition, audience members headed to the bar 99 Below for further discussion of the film. Visiting from the west coast was Senain Kheshgi (R) whose film PROJECT KASHMIR will screen tomorrow at the Rubin Museum; posing here with the esteemed editor Jean Tsien.

Andrew Berends (DELTA BOYS) gives the illusion of sitting by himself when he was really at a table of these beautiful women (see next photo).

STF loyalists Melissa Hibbard (THE GLASS HOUSE), Kelly Hefner (WE Channel) and Amelia Hanibelsz (Pangolin Pictures)

Producer Zeva Oelbaum (AHEAD OF TIME) & filmmaker Eddie Rosenstein (SCHOOL PLAY)

STF Executive Director Raphaela Neihausen with season pass holders Tom Davis, Courtney Erwin, Ruth Somalo, Ryan Sarker.

Filmmakers AJ Schnack & Nathan Truesdell (CONVENTION) visiting from out of town on their way to the Camden and Woodstock film festivals.

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