Hal Rifken

Blue Like Me: The Art of Siona Benjamin

Blue Like Me is a documentary that profiles Indian-American artist Siona Benjamin. Raised in the small Bene Israel Jewish community in Mumbai, India, Benjamin's art fuses world religions with eastern myths and western pop culture to create vibrant new worlds. Blue Like Me travels with Siona to Mumbai, revisiting the Bene Israel Jews portrayed in her recent Fulbright project. Siona Benjamin is a daughter of Israel, born of India, and a citizen of the world-and that world is blue.

Behind the Strings

When Mao’s Cultural Revolution ended, China’s door cracked open, four young, classical musicians seized the opportunity to flee to the West. The Quartet began a lifetime adventure – studying with great masters, attending Juilliard, and performing at major music festivals and the best classical music venues. Now China keeps inviting them back to perform their once forbidden music.

Behind the Strings

When Mao’s Cultural Revolution ended, China’s door cracked open, four young, classical musicians seized the opportunity to flee to the West. The Quartet began a lifetime adventure – studying with great masters, attending Juilliard, and performing at major music festivals and the best classical music venues. Now China keeps inviting them back to perform their once forbidden music.