Repost: Slingshot (October 10th at 7:00 pm at the Chagrin Documentary Film Festival)

[SLINGSHOT Screens Friday October 10th at 7:00 pm at the Chagrin Documentary Film Festival.]

Review by Bob Ignizio

At one point in Paul Lazarus' documentary SLINGSHOT, inventor Dean Kamen bemoans the fact that America makes heroes out of athletes, musicians, and movie stars, while the inventors and scientists who genuinely make life better for all of us labor in relative obscurity. One need look no further than Kamen himself for support of this thesis. He's responsible for such medical devices as the home dialysis machine, an insulin pump, and an all-terrain wheel chair, all very successful. And yet what is he best known for, if anything? The Segway, a two-wheeled electric people mover that even Kamen views as somewhat of a failure.

An interview with filmmaker Paul Lazarus, director of 'Slingshot'

Interview by Bob Ignizio

A director of theatre, television, and film, Paul Lazarus has had a prolific and distinguished career. Even if you've never heard of him, chances are you've seen his work as he has helmed episodes of such popular programs as Everybody Loves Raymond, Ugly Betty, Baywatch, and Beverly Hills 90201 just to name a few. He's also made a feature film, SEVEN GIRLFRIENDS, and a number of short documentaries. His most recent project is a feature length documentary on Segway inventor Dean Kamen's latest project, a potentially world changing machine called the SlingShot that can purify any water, no matter how filthy. The film, also called SLINGSHOT, recently played at the Cleveland International Film Festival, and because of that I was afforded an opportunity to ask Mr. Lazarus a few questions.

Slingshot (March 27th and 28th at the Cleveland International Film Festival)

[SLINGSHOT Screens Thursday March 27th at 8:45 pm and Friday March 28th at 2:40 pm at the Cleveland International Film Festival.]

Review by Bob Ignizio

At one point in Paul Lazarus' documentary SLINGSHOT, inventor Dean Kamen bemoans the fact that America makes heroes out of athletes, musicians, and movie stars, while the inventors and scientists who genuinely make life better for all of us labor in relative obscurity. One need look no further than Kamen himself for support of this thesis. He's responsible for such medical devices as the home dialysis machine, an insulin pump, and an all-terrain wheel chair, all very successful. And yet what is he best known for, if anything? The Segway, a two-wheeled electric people mover that even Kamen views as somewhat of a failure.