March 2009 | blackfilm.com | AMERICAN SWING - An Interview with Directors Mathew Kaufman and Jon Hart

March 2009

AMERICAN SWING - An Interview with Directors Mathew Kaufman and Jon Hart

(March: Main Page * Features * Reviews * Screenings * Teen ) Current Issue * Archive

AMERICAN SWING
An Interview with Directors Mathew Kaufman and Jon Hart
by Wilson Morales

March 23, 2009

During the 70s, there was place that most people wouldn’t talk about in public or to their closest friends. It was about Plato’s Retreat, the first and hippest swinger club in the country. Started and hosted by Mary and Larry Levenson, many people, including judges, celebrities, athletes showed up for some fun. For a mere $35, couples checked their judgments and pedigrees at the door of this clothing-optional Disneyland. Debutantes got it on next to bus drivers, as movie stars gave secretaries the "starlet treatment." But as the saying goes, ‘What goes up, must come down,’ and down went Larry when the government came knocking with convictions for tax evasion. By the mid-80s the fun was over.

While talking to Blackfilm.com, directors Mathew Kaufman and Jon Hart explain their motivation for putting together this documentary and giving credit to a man who gave many pleasure when they stopped by his place.

How did the project come about?

Mathew Kaufman: Jon met Larry Levenson in cab, became personal friends with him, and did a lot research on Plato’s retreat. I met Jon through a mutual friend and we embarked on this adventure on making this film. This is one of those films where if one told someone you were making a documentary on ‘Plato’s Retreat’, they would say it’s fascinating, but when you talk to Jon and hear some of the research he’s done. Larry was an amazing character and an amazing protagonist to follow. It had everything in it. The rise and fall at a time of mayhem. It was a fabulous documentary and both of us knew that it would be a great film. That’s how it started and both of us have been working on it for the last five years.

How long was it, after you did your research, before you knew you had enough components to make a film?

Jon Hart: The research has been ongoing. I met Larry in ’94 and have been working on the project on and off. I had heard of Plato’s vageluey but never heard of its owner Larry Levenson. It took time for the project to evolve and part of it was that Larry became a close of mine and I had a natural curiosity to corroborate what he was telling me. I had this personal attachment to it. I loved the story. I loved his story; his rise, fall, and descent. When Matthew came on board, it gave the project a shot in the arm. He’s been a miracle as far as making the project happen.

Matthew, what fascinated you about the story?

MK: As I said, Larry is a fascinating protagonist and most people around our ages, and when we’re both 39, have heard about Plato’s Retreat. We never went there because we too young. As a voyeur, it’s a great subject in itself. There’s never been a film on this subject matter. I was looking for another documentary to work on. I had finished on one project and was looking for something to focus my time on and Jon and I met and that was the genesis. Plato’s was a worldwide phenomenon and Larry was the ringleader. He was the carnival barker and the host. He was also an interesting person on many levels.

Documentaries take longer to make than feature films. What were the challenges, pitfalls, and what kept you going?

MK: Time and money. It always comes down to that. Also, HDNet Films went through a political shakeup and we lost our executive producers. By de facto, I had to step up and figure out a way, from a filmmaker’s prospective, to work with the distributor to release the film

JH: Getting people and convincing them to do it is time consuming. If you have a lot of resources, things could be expedited. There are 30 songs in the film and it takes a lot to put that together. You have to get the rights and composing and it’s different from a fictional feature.

What didn’t make the cut?

MK: We have DVD extras. You have to buy the DVD to find out.

JH: I would have loved to have an interview with Mary Levenson.

How long was the editing process?

MK: A year.

What segment was the best to shoot?

JH: I think Matthew will agree with me on this, but when we interviewed the Grippo’s. They agreed to go on camera and sat down with us for about 5-6 hours. That was a real turning point. I thought we were definitely making progress.

MK: She admitted on camera that she told the whole story about the books and that was such a pivotal point in the film and in Larry’s life that really almost change the trajectory that Plato’s Retreat was heading. Without Larry as the host, there wasn’t anyone who believed in the movement. It then all became about money and commerce.

You also have plenty of celebrities on camera discussing their views on Plato’s. How did you get Melvin Van Peebles on board?

MK: You mean the famous Mr. Van Peebles? He was someone who liked to go to Plato’s.

JH: Melvin raised the bar. He’s a legend and we had footage of him being interviewed at Plato’s and he actually listed. He gave us twenty minutes. I thought it added a lot to the film. He understands the obstacles for young filmmakers and I’m going to keep in touch with him whether he likes it or not.

Who is the audience for this film?

JH: People came to Plato’s Retreat from all over; from the Bronx, from Baton Rouge, and from so many places. We wanted to make an entertaining film about an historical time; a lost era. We are not targeting this film for anyone. It was a wonderful untold sexy story.

AMERICAN SWING will open in New York on March 27th at the Quad Cinema.

(March: Main Page * Features * Reviews * Screenings * Teen ) Current Issue * Archive