New York City’s beloved Ukrainian restaurant Veselka is best known for its borscht and varenyky, but it has become a beacon of hope for Ukraine. As the second-generation owner Tom Birchard reluctantly retires after 54 years, his son Jason Birchard faces the pressures of stepping into his father’s shoes as the war in Ukraine impacts his family and staff. Michael Fiore‘s film is called “Veselka: The Rainbow on the Corner at the Center of the World” and features appearances by New York Mayor Eric Adams, Governor Kathy Hochul, and events at the US Open that include Rafael Nadal and John McEnroe, among other notables. The film opens at the Village East Cinema in NYC (just 3 or so blocks from the legendary restaurant) today, Friday, February 23rd.
The documentary filmmaker Katja Esson makes her first ever appearance on the podcast. We discuss her latest film, “Razing Liberty Square“, a climate gentrification documentary. Eight miles inland of Miami’s beaches, Liberty City residents fight to save their community from climate gentrification. Sitting on a ridge, their land is real estate gold. The film is currently available on PBS’ YouTube channel.
