An Interview with Boston Filmmaker Laura Wiessen

October 6, 2010

Writer and producer Laura Wiessen recently took some time to answer a few questions from the New Vilna Review about her work in documentary film. In this interview, Ms. Wiessen, who is currently working on a film about the conversion process in Judaism, discusses this current project and shares some of what she has learned about religion and identity in the process of making this film. Her work has appeared on a wide variety of television channels, including PBS, A&E, Bravo and the History Channel.

NVR: For people who might not be familiar with “More Beloved By Gd,” your film-in-progress, can you give us a brief description of the topic?

Sure – More Beloved by Gd looks at the unusual decision to convert to Judaism through the lives of several people who’ve made that choice. We get to know these individuals intimately, following them wherever they are on their Jewish journey – whether it’s in the conversion process or many years later. Choosing to change your religion, and with it, sometimes, your lifestyle, isn’t easy – families of origin may not accept or understand your choices, and it’s often difficult to be accepted as “Jewish” by Jewish communities uncomfortable with Jews from different ethnic, racial, or even geographic backgrounds. More Beloved by Gd will follow people negotiating this terrain, a landscape that can include spiritual fulfillment and joy, as well as doubt, sadness and pain, to better understand the journeys and decisions of those who choose the Jewish people.

NVR: How did the idea to make a film about conversion evolve?  What inspired you to explore this topic?

This topic has been germinating for years, spurred by the many fascinating converts I’ve met and a question I kept asking -- Why on earth would anyone choose to become a Jew? It’s not that I don’t feel great value in being Jewish. But, as I’ve moved further into Jewish circles and a Jewish lifestyle, I’ve met so many committed Jews who started their lives in other faiths, or in no faith at all. And I’ve been awestruck by their choices, and curious about their decisions, especially since my fully born-Jewish, suburban New Jersey family has moved further and further from any type of Jewish observance. It’s that juxtaposition between the ease with which so many born Jews move away from that heritage, and the work others do, and the hardships they often go through, to become part of the Jewish people, that inspired me to make this film.

NVR: You have tackled other Jewish topics in the past, do you see a connection between your previous work and this film?

I’ve always been deeply interested in Jewish topics, and have felt lucky to be able to explore some of them in the television documentary format. This film is the continuation of that interest, and the move from more commercial topics that are considered “suitable” by major television networks to stories that resonate more personally for me.

NVR: What have you learned along the way that has surprised you in the process of making a film about conversion?

I’ve learned so much as I’ve started making this film. One thing I learned early on was the difference between Catholics and other Christian denominations in relation to conversion to Judaism. So many of the people I met were born Catholic, and I asked them what they found attractive about Jewish religious practice. They most often mentioned the freedom to debate and question that is inherent in Jewish life (and culture) and generally absent from Roman Catholicism. This was something they admired, and wanted to be a part of. Also, for Catholics, Jewish ritual felt much more comfortable than it did to the Protestants I spoke with. Because they come from a background so infused with ritual, it was less of a leap into Jewish ritual practice. This is purely anecdotal information, but I found it fascinating, as it was repeated time and time again.

NVR: Can you tell us a little about your background in filmmaking? What inspired you to go into this field in the first place?

My interest in filmmaking comes from a deep interest in storytelling and the value of well-told and engaging stories to share a bit more of our world with each other. With an academic background in history and a passion for journalism (a major way our stories are told) I started out in TV network news, and then moved quickly into writing and producing documentary films for television. I’ve written and produced documentaries for PBS, The History Channel, A&E, MSNBC among others. This is my first independent film.

NVR: How can people find out more about this film?

The film’s trailer up on YouTube -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UP7xsAy4UCU

And I am happy to hear from your readers – they can write me at morebelovedbygd.thefilm@gmail.com for more information on the film.

NVR: Is there anything else that you would like to add?

This film is very much still in progress, and has truly been a labor of love. Making an independent film is a combination of passion, art and business, and it’s the business end (fundraising, primarily) that has slowed production. As we continue on this journey, I am grateful to the many people who’ve shared their stories and their lives with me.