Director: Shalom Gorewitz

 

Shalom Gorewitz is a multifaceted artist and filmmaker whose career spans decades of innovation in video art, digital media, and experimental storytelling. Initially a pioneer in electronic art, he studied under legendary figures like Nam June Paik and Gene Youngblood, producing introspective and visually striking works that often explore personal and social themes. Gorewitz’s early career was marked by his groundbreaking use of video as an artistic medium, blending painterly aesthetics with electronic manipulation to create works that challenge conventional narrative structures.

 

Since 2020, Gorewitz has transitioned into filmmaking, crafting micro-budget, highly inventive films that reflect his signature blend of humor, drama, and social commentary. His work often features improvised performances by ensembles of both professional and non-professional actors. These films, such as *Gully's Paradise* (2024), combine realism with whimsical and thought-provoking narratives, set in locations ranging from the Upper West Side of Manhattan to Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom. They tackle timely issues like addiction, environmental concerns, and the encroachment of technology on tradition.

 

Gorewitz’s recent films were celebrated in a retrospective festival hosted by NEK Flix at the Catamount Arts Center in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. The event highlighted his diverse storytelling style, with films exploring topics as varied as eco-terrorism, local legends, and the human struggle against systemic injustice. His ability to combine local storytelling with universal themes has earned him a reputation as a bold and thought-provoking filmmaker.

 

With *Garlic Resistance* as his seventh film since 2020, Gorewitz continues to demonstrate his artistic versatility. The film promises to blend his Brechtian influences, deep engagement with community storytelling, and innovative use of improvised dialogue to tell a story of rural defiance in the face of corporate greed. This project is poised to be another compelling chapter in Gorewitz's ongoing exploration of the intersections between art, community, and resistance.