Life through a lens

About the film:

Through my work with the APBD Research Foundation, I met Robert Zuckerman - an extraordinary photographer and human being. I was at once captivated by his craft and his generous and indomitable spirit. I was particularly motivated to make this documentary by Robert's exceptional “Kindsight”, that is, his singular photographs accompanied by penetrating, touching stories of the photographs’ subjects. Some of the Kindsight pieces capture ordinary moments; some illuminate the dark recesses of human suffering. Each one reminds us that in every moment, there is the opportunity to see in the eyes of another, compassion and love and joy and pain, and to make a connection.

Many have worked very hard over a few years on this project. Essentially, we wanted to tell Robert’s very personal story and experience with APBD, but also bring attention to APBD and other allied orphan diseases. This documentary is only the beginning of a much larger story that needs to be told. -Jeff Levenson

President of the Adult Polyglucosan Research Foundation (APBDRF)

This is the story of Hollywood photographer, Robert Zuckerman, whose “life through a lens” gets turned upside down after he is diagnosed with a rare, debilitating genetic disease, generally referred to by its initials, APBD. The challenges Robert has faced – continues to face each day – would have been insurmountable for most. But not Robert.

APBD - Adult Polyglucosan Body Disease - is one of 7,000 orphan diseases – defined as diseases which affect under 200,000 individuals. There are 350 million people worldwide that have an orphan disease. APBD sufferers have a missing enzyme which causes toxic substances to build up in the body. Because of the similarity of symptoms, APBD is often misdiagnosed as Multiple Sclerosis and Peripheral Neuropathy.

Jeff Levenson (Producer) notes:

For the last 15 years, most of my free time has been devoted to working with the APBD Research Foundation. It is a labor of love. I have been so fortunate to meet many remarkable people. Their passion, talent and vision inspire me every day. About five years ago, I felt compelled to hire a videographer in order to document the stories of APBD. I started interviewing scientists, patients, and their families. The personal narratives have become one of the most popular sites on our website. They help sufferers and their families know that they are not alone.

To learn more about APBD visit:

“If you look for the good in others you will find it there. When you speak to the good in others, you strengthen it.” ~Morehei Ueshiba / Bian Brown Walker

Cast and Crew:

BIOGRAPHIES

Ronete Levenson (Director, Original Music Composer)

Ronete Levenson is an actor that can be seen as a recurring character on Showtime's ‘House of Lies’ with Don Cheadle. Off-Broadway credits include: Fefu and her Friends (Theatre for a New Audience), Lascivious Something (Women's Project/ Cherry Lane), Our Town (Barrow Street Theatre with David Cromer), What Once We Felt (LCT3), Origin Story (Public Theater), Blood Play (Bushwick Starr), Named (RPR- Cino Night Series), Stunning (NYTW). Regional Theater credits include: Our Town (Broad Stage with Helen Hunt), Hands (Sundance Theatre Lab 2012), Bus Stop (2011 IRNE Award for Best Supporting Actress)(Huntington Theatre Company), Untitled Worlds Fair Project (Sundance Institute Theatre), August: Osage County (directed by Sam Gold) (Old Globe), Argonautika (directed by Mary Zimmerman) (Berkeley Repertory, Shakespeare Theatre Company, McCarter). Television/ Film: Law & Order, Law & Order: SVU, Guiding Light, Possible Side Effects (Showtime Pilot directed by Tim Robbins), Taking Woodstock (directed by Ang Lee). Ronete received a degree from Bard College in Environmental Sciences and spent semesters studying the Humpback Whale in Maui, Hawaii and Human Rights in Durban, South Africa. Ronete first started communicating through music teaching herself guitar and piano at an early age and now composes soundtracks and songs. Ronete is a surfer and can often be found riding the Rockaway tides. (www.ronetelevenson.com)

Jeff Levenson (Producer)

Jeff Levenson is a dentist in New York City. He is also a certified dog trainer, and with this documentary, he makes his directorial debut. Jeff believes that the key to success is to surround yourself with amazingly talented people that inspire you to be more than who you are. He would advise everyone to go out and find a mentor and a cause and devote yourself to it. That is what he has done.

Since losing family members to Adult Polyglucosan Body Disease (APBD) nearly two decades ago, Jeff has been deeply committed to helping the APBD Research Foundation in its herculean efforts to raise awareness about APBD and to find a cure for this devastating disease and allied diseases. In April of 2020 he was elected Co-President of the of the Adult Polyglucosan Research Foundation. (APBDRF.org)

FILMMAKERS:

Producer -------------------------------------Jeff Levenson

Director --------------------------------------Ronete Levenson

Cinematographer ----------------------------Niknaz Tavolian

Associate Producer---------------------------Chandra C. Silver

Original Music Composition ----------------Ronete Levenson

Editor -----------------------------------------Benjamin Kegan

Post Production Supervisor -----------------Sarah Seulki Oh

CAST:

Robert ----------------------------------------Robert G. Zuckerman