A playwright, printmaker and an award winning screenwriter, For more than 30 years, Steven Berry has recognized the people, places and sounds of Philadelphia. As a playwright, he has creatively interpreted stories of Black Philadelphia vietnam veterans who suffered from post traumatic stress disorder. He has extensively photographed the city of Philadelphia and its inhabitants and has exhibited at the African American Museum in Philadelphia and Community College of Philadelphia and other venues. His film works keenly reveal the histories that have shaped the cultural landscape of the city, from the Barnes Collection’s relocation to Philadelphia, the rich cultural history of jazz in the city, to the award winning quiltmaker Sarah Bond and her family. This screening features a selection of Steven Berry’s work as a Philadelphia-based filmmaker.

Dance of the Muse (USA, 1983, 8 min) 
An experimental, 16 mm film on the idea of creativity.

A Historical Approach to the Positive Music: JAZZ In Philadelphia (USA, 2014, 29 min)
A musically enriched document of Philadelphia’s contributions to jazz. Through memories, viewpoints and opinions of Philadelphia-born jazz musicians, this film captures the vitality of a scene whose members continue to create and perform music despite the economical odds against them.

Trudy Pitts: In her own Words and Language! (USA, 2011, 26 min)
A film on Trudy Pitts, A legendary soul jazz pianist from Philadelphia.

The Stitches that Bond (USA, 2019, 15 min)
Sarah Bond, an award winning quilt maker and the cousin to the late Julian Bond, a well known Civil Rights activist shares her female ancestor's history and legacy on quiltmaking.

The Historical Approach: Films by Steven Berry