Left Bank: The Women Who Rescued James Joyce’s Ulysses

Film Screening & Discussion

Thursday, June 13, 6-7:30pm

Roeliff Jansen Community Library
9091 NY-22
Hillsdale, NY 12529

Publishing Ulysses was a long, complicated process. The writing and publication were shaped by individuals and organizations trying to censor it, outraged by its explicit references to the human body and sex. Left Bank: The Women Who Rescued James Joyce’s Ulysses, by local filmmaker Lisa Reznik, takes viewers on the journey of author James Joyce’s struggles and success, revealing the story of the female publishers and editors who played prominent roles in making the achievement of Ulyssespossible. 

Lisa Reznik has directed four award-winning films which have been selected by 30+ film festivals and private screenings. Left Bank marks Reznik’s fifth film, and first hybrid-documentary. The passion project is the culmination of more than a decade’s worth of detailed research.

With the year 2022 being the 100th anniversary of the publication of Ulysses, arguably the most important book ever written, Reznik was inspired to direct a feature film surrounding the challenges to publish James Joyce’s groundbreaking novel, shining a much needed light on the unrecognized risk-taking female pioneers who brought his work to the public.

Following the screening, there will be an opportunity to discuss the film with the film’s creator.