An extremely uncommon event occurred this past week.
The so-called editor of postdocme.net actually spoke to
a real live person. And it was no ordinary person at
that. For, the person in question was none other than
Salvador Litvak, the director of When
Do We Eat? --
a comedy starring Jack Klugman, Lesley Ann Warren
and Michael Lerner.
Although this is his first time in the director's chair for a full-length film, Litvak
has already achieved remarkable acclaim, winning the Best
Director award at the Tahoe/Reno International Film Festival.
âWhen Do We Eat?â tells the tale of a Passover meal like no other.
postdocme.net: When do we eat?
Salvador Liptak: The film opens on April 7 in New York, Los Angeles
and southern Florida, and in select cities nationwide on April 21.
postdocme.net: In the film, a son slips his father Ecstasy during the Passover
seder while other family members
seduce each other. What made you decide to do a film based on my family?
Salvador Litvak: I co-wrote the film with my wife (Nina Davidovich).
The story is based
a lot on our own experiences during the Passover holiday. Though,
I hasten to add, neither of us ever
slipped our parents Ecstasy during the seder.
postdocme.net: Which brings us to my next question: With the
glut of Hollywood films in recent
years about children who provide
their parents with Ecstasy during the Passover seder, why do a new one?
Salvador Litvak: A film like âMonsoon
Weddingâ, although placed in an ethnic setting, tells a universal story. It is no
different with this film. You don't have to be Jewish to appreciate this film.
postdocme.net: But I am Jewish. (Or at least I write like I'm Jewish).
What's for dinner?
Salvador Litvak: We've got a little bit of everything: Gefilte fish, lamb,
Sephardic dishes. You name it. No one is going away hungry.
postdocme.net: What was it like working with Jack Klugman? Did you
have to pick up after him like Tony Randall always used to on âThe Odd Coupleâ?
Salvador Liptak: Jack is an amazing person. We were working
12-14 hours and Jack was always a first-class professional.
postdocme.net: Besides such great comic geniuses as Tom Ridge and Marlin Fitzwater,
who else
has influenced your work?
Salvador Litvak: Billy Wilder and the Coen brothers.
postdocme.net: Do you mind me putting words in your mouth?
Salvador Litvak: Go ahead, but I want you to know I didn't say half
the things you are writing. But I will say this: See this film. You will
definitely get your money's worth.
An extremely uncommon event occurred this past week.
The so-called editor of postdocme.net actually spoke to
a real live person. And it was no ordinary person at
that. For, the person in question was none other than
Salvador Litvak, the director of 
