High Falls Film Festival - Jane Alexander, Web Of Life Honoree

Jane Alexander Interview

Jane Alexander, former head of the National Endowment on the Arts came to Rochester to receive the Web Of Life Award. Upon leaving the NEA in 1997, Alexander told Dance Magazine "If I am left with one overwhelming impression from my time at the NEA, it is the increasingly strong and spirited connection that has developed between the American people and the arts in their own communities." In my brief interview with Alexander she stated that she had no favorites among her films but feels that the film that made the most impact on people was Eleanor and Franklin, which portrayed the lives of the Roosevelt’s. Alexander commented on her personal/professional relationship that developed with Congresswoman Louise Slaughter during her tenure as NEA head. “It is nice to be in Louise’s District” Alexander commented during a brief speech at a reception at The Studio at Linden Oaks. Alexander hopes to be able to see some films while at the High Falls Film Festival but says that interviews restrict her ability to some degree.