Luke Gray recent paintings FLOWER CHILDREN two American families, one white and one black, who are torn apart by polit- ical forces. "The '60s" producer Lynda Obst cherishes the times and the messages of the miniseries. "I identify most with Sarah (Jordana Brewster)," says Obst, 48, who began her film-journalism career as editor/author of The Roltipg Stone History of the Sixties. February 6 March 6, 1999 Reception to meet the artist Saturday, February From 2 — 5:00 6, 1999 pm David Klein Gallery 163 TOWNSEND BIRMINGHAM MI 48009 TELEPHONE 248.433.3700 FAX 248.433.3702 HOURS: MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY I I - 5:30 Unusual Distinctive Gifts For Valentine's Day Visit us to see our Large Selection of gifts perfect for your valentine. Papier Mache Heart Sculpture, Heart Pillows, Romantic C.D.s and much more, including our Fine Art and Poster Selections. Enduring Mysteries By Sabzi 248.356.5454 www.everythingart.com *e-mail ChezPG@aol.com 29173 DETROIT JEWISH IIEWS Northwestern, Southfield FOR SALE gridato al: INTERNATIONAL NEWS PLUS 372 Oullette Avenue • Windsor, Canada 2/5 III 1999 Se Detroit Jewish News from page 77 "I wa4rom mine created exactly the way I intend- ed. I know how hit or miss the bulls- eye is. I think the thing that makes me feel most alive in my work is when it connects to thin g s I began to believe back in the '60s." One connection to the past echoes through the music that includes Motown songs and artists. "My Girl" by the Temptations and "Can I Get a Witness" by Marvin Gaye are on the soundtrack. "I think the music was one of the critical factors in making [the minis- eries] credible," says Obst, who labels Westchester and ran awayro Greenwich Village to find Bob Dylan. Obst, who went on to produce many films, including The;Fisher King, This Is My Life and Sleep4 in Seattle, worked with the screen- writers page-by-page because her own life was so intertwined with the story. "I think I probably have more Jewish characters in this movie than you ever get to see on net- work television," says Obst. She refers to minor characters,.such as a young lawyer on a bus with free- dom riders and rabbis caught up with the civil rights marches, as well as to major characters, includ- ing Sarah and radical organizer Kenny Klein (Jeremy Sisto). "I think that we tried in some Producer Linda Obst: "A closet hippie." sense not to disguise the fact that much of the action happened herself a closet hippie. "I listen to the from the margins, from the ethnic soundtrack over and over. The music sides of the street. The Jewish popula- from the '60s is still my favorite." tions were inspired [then], and Obst's heroes of the past include Catholic activism was [there]. Robert Kennedy, Martin Luther King Obviously, the African-American com- Jr. and Abbie Hoffman. Today, her munity was in a decade that trans- heroes are scientists, because she feels it's formed their hist-ory.,We didn't dis- getting harder to find pUrity of values. :- guise any of that While the producer remains com- The Herlihys, a white, middle class mitted to the issues that galvanized her Catholic family, are central to the in the '60s, she feels she has not been drama. The differing directions of each very successful in conveying the impact member — and the tensions in their of her decades-ago experiences to her focus .attention on the relationships 20-year-old son. She hopes he and differing views express0 throughout the viewers across the country will become American family. The Taylors, a black more in touch through the miniseries. family, reflect differing views about the "I think the best that we can do is best way to achieve racial equality. just try to capture a small, visceral The cast includes Cliff Gorman, sense of what it was like to be there Josh Hamilton, David Alan Grier, and what it felt like to stand up and Jerry O'Connell and Julia Stiles. be counted," Obst says. "The point is "There was a real sense that with to try to remember the time without your generation, with your peers, your the filter of rancor — what was glori- ideas could make a difference," Obst ous, what was fun and what was recalls about her enchantment with ridiculous. I hope this really starts the times. "It was very much the conversations, even just little ones, forming of the sensibilities from inside families." which I work now. In many ways, the women's adventure began in the '60s, and that empowered me. "The '60s" will be telecast 9-11 "Now, I know too much. I know p.m. Sunday and Monday, how hard it is to make a difference. I Feb. 7-8, on WDIV-Channel 4. know how hard it is to get a piece of ))