The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to present the Northern Arizona premiere of “Jay Myself” on Tuesday, Sept. 24. There will be two shows at 4 and 7 p.m. at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre.
“Jay Myself” documents the monumental move of renowned photographer and artist, Jay Maisel, who, in February 2015 after 48 years, begrudgingly sold his home — the 36,000-square-foot, 100-year-old landmark building in Manhattan known simply as “The Bank.”
Through the intimate lens of filmmaker and Maisel’s protégé, noted artist and photographer Stephen Wilkes, the viewer is taken on a remarkable journey through Maisel’s life as an artist, mentor and man; a man grappling with time, life, change and the end of an era in New York City.
Maisel purchased the 1898 Germania Bank Building in 1967 for $102,000. For 48 years, he lived in the building, alone, and then with his wife and daughter, using it as not only as his studio and home, but also as his personal museum of extraordinary things. A collector of anything and everything in which he found beauty, each floor of the building represented a cross section of his mind; for the bank was more than just Maisel’s home — it was his muse, and he never, ever dreamed he’d have to leave.
Enter photographer Wilkes, the only filmmaker Maisel would allow into his universe for the most significant transition of his life. At 19 years old, Wilkes rang the bell at 190 Bowery and dropped off his portfolio. The next day, Maisel brought him upstairs, past the studio Roy Lichtenstein was renting, and hired him — becoming Wilkes’ lifelong mentor and friend.
In 2015, due to the high costs of taxes and maintenance, Maisel was forced to sell the bank, for $55 million, making it the single largest real-estate sale in the history of New York City. Upon learning of the historic sale and Maisel’s massive imminent move, Wilkes knew he had to document it. Miraculously, Maisel let him in with a camera crew.
Captured through an intimate lens of deep personal love and respect, Wilkes takes viewers on a journey to the Wizard of Oz of the Downtown Art Scene — an up-close-and-personal look at the man behind the curtain and the mystique of “The Bank” he lived in.
The film explores the true meaning of wealth in a time of excess, the joys and complexities of a mentor/mentee relationship, and the journey of a man grappling with the onset of time and change. With unprecedented access to Maisel, “The Bank,” and everything in between, “Jay Myself” captures a moment in New York City history that we will never see again.
“Jay Myself” will show at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at 4 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $12, or $9 for Film Festival members. Call 282-1177 for tickets and more information.
Both the theatre and film festival office are located at 2030 W. SR 89A, in West Sedona.
Visit SedonaFilmFestival.org for more information.
