April 25 • 2019 45
jn

FACETS OF BILL’
S LIFE
The film goes back to the early 
years, describing extended family 
summers at a cottage in Port Huron, 
moving on to military service during 
World War II and the tragic loss of 
his father at a young age in an auto 
accident. The documentary also out-
lines the initiatives that developed 
his business successes — including 
the turnaround of Auburn Hills-
based Guardian Industries into the 
world’
s largest glass maker — which 
now support the William Davidson 
Foundation to enhance Southeast 
Michigan, Israel and the Jewish 
community. 
Extensive numbers of interviews 
— from family members to basket-
ball celebrities — give a personal 
touch to the information and a sense 
of William Davidson’
s personali-
ty. Especially informative are the 
comments of Karen Davidson, Bill’
s 
widow, who was very moved by the 
film and family reaction to it.
“The film tells this great love story 
that Ethan has for his father,” she 
says. “We’
re all lucky that he included 
us in it, too. It’
s so sweet that it’
s dedi-
cated to Bill’
s grandchildren. 
“I loved everything about it, espe-
cially the clip where the Boston 
Celtics announcer is announcing the 
game between the Pistons and the 
Celtics and shows what the NBA was 
years ago, and I loved seeing Bill’
s 
grandchildren during the premiere 

at the Detroit Institute of Arts. They 
watched the film so intently and cele-
brated their grandfather.
“I think the biggest takeaway is that 
this man spent his whole life taking 
over a failing business and build-
ing it. I think it’
s a great model for 
patience in building. It just doesn’
t 
happen overnight. He just worked.” 
Ethan stayed close to film seg-
ments.
“I was there for 80 or 90 percent 
of the interviews,” says Ethan, who 
built a career in composing and 
performing before working on the 
Davidson foundation. “For the edit-
ing, there was a team at Push Media. 
After the interviews, we had to have 
everything transcribed. We would 
read transcriptions and would iden-
tify various themes.”
Bill Davidson’
s sister, Dorothy 
Gerson, voiced her recollections for 
the film and says she appreciates 
that her nephew Ethan began the 
narration in the early years to pres-
ent the essence of the close family 
ties held tight as time went along.
“My brother was very much his 
own person,” Gerson explains as part 
of the core film message, particularly 
for viewers who did not know him 
personally. “He was giving and lov-
ing, and he was a visionary in a lot of 
the things he did. In business, sports 
and charity, my brother left those 
worlds better places.”
Among the 30 people interviewed 

Top 10 Film Festival Picks
Trust us, you don’
t want to miss these fi
 lms. 
E

ric Lumberg, Lenore Marwil Detroit Jewish Film Festival committee chair, and 
Jaemi Loeb, film festival director, offer their picks, all at the Jewish Community 
Center in West Bloomfield. 
SUNDAY, MAY 5, 7 P
.M. Golda’
s Balcony (American drama): The Broadway hit, 
now on the big screen as Tovah Feldshuh brings Golda Meir to life. From Russian 
schoolgirl to prime minister of Israel, Meir’
s story of hard work and determination is 
an inspiration to all. Talkback with the producer 
and dessert reception after the show.
MONDAY, MAY 6, 7 P
.M. The Mamboniks
(American documentary): Fun and music from 
an unlikely source. Jewish teenagers in New 
York embrace the Mambo craze and find com-
munity in the process. Come at 6.15 p.m. for a 
free introductory class with Mambo Marci.
TUESDAY, MAY 7, 1 P
.M. Azimuth (Israeli 
drama): Two opposing soldiers in the desert at 
the end of the Six-Day War with only one way 
out. Suspense that will keep you on the edge of 
your seat. 
Tuesday, May 7, 8 p.m. The Unorthodox 
(Israeli drama): Out of frustration and rage 
comes the first Orthodox Sephardic political 
party in Israel. A group of misfits with no money 
or connections achieve an impossible task. 
Based on true events. Talkback with Professor 
Howard Lupovitch after the show.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 8 P
.M. YidLive!: A 
multimedia comedy show featuring the creators 
of the award-winning YidLife Crisis at Ridley’
s 
Comedy Castle in Royal Oak. Yiddish humor in 
(mostly) English for ages 21-121.
THURSDAY, MAY 9, 7 P
.M. Chewdaism
(Canadian documentary) (Patron Night): 
The history of Jewish Montreal, as told 
through its delis and restaurants. Patron 
dinner featuring Montreal kosher cuisine 
before the show, talkback with the directors 
after the show. To become a patron, visit 
DetroitJewishFilmFestival.com/contribute.
SUNDAY, MAY 12, 1 P
.M. Itzhak (American 
documentary): A compelling look at an artist 
who overcame incredible challenges to become 
the world’
s premier violin virtuoso. Come early 
for live music in the main JCC lobby. Talkback 
with Rabbi Aaron Bergman after the show.
MONDAY, MAY 13, 7 P
.M. Fractures (Israeli 
drama): A timely drama that raises important 
questions about power in relationships and the 
complications of workplace liaisons. Talkback 
with an expert panel after the show.
TUESDAY, MAY 14, 7 P
.M. Foxtrot (Israeli 
drama): An award-winning Israeli drama about 
the parents left behind when their son goes off 
to war.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15, 7 P
.M. The Last Suit 
(Argentinian drama): A sentimental journey of promises kept. Ignoring age and 
illness, a man journeys to his pre-war home and finds himself along the way.

For a full schedule, go to detroitjewishfilmfestival.com.

Golda

Chewdaism

Mamboniks

Pistons owner Bill Davidson celebrates after the team’
s championship victory in 1989.

COURTESY ALLEN EINSTEIN

continued on page 46

