Private Project

Behind the Mask 4 / Awakening receptionist

The series of videos documents the manner in which life has come to a halt, or not, in a city like New York that has always been known for its vibrancy and the hustle-bustle of activity. The lead in the narrative brings in voices from across the spectrum to explore the same premise.

From hair-dressers to construction workers to artists in the performance space - a whole array of people are spoken with to share their experience of a life in a world battling a pandemic. The videos strive to keep their tone tinged with humor and lightheartedness, hoping to keep the viewer's thoughts away from the morbidity that has come to define contemporary times.

Overall, the final result is a sincere attempt to look at different pockets of New York, using the experiences of its protagonist as she invites the viewer into her universe, and also, her interactions with those around her. The product, however, could have gained from a more cohesive narrative to hold all of these visuals together, along with a little more stability in them.

  • Cathie Boruch
    Writer
  • Runtime:
    5 minutes 5 seconds
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    No
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography

Cathie Boruch is a New York City actress, comedian, and filmmaker. Her one-woman show, Downtown Mermaid was featured in The One Festival, United Solo, and The People’s Improv Theatre. As a stand-up comedian, she’s known for her infectious enthusiasm and stream of consciousness style of humor. She’s produced and hosted a variety of comedy shows including the popular, Ten Penny Comedy in lower Manhattan.

Cathie is an expert in the punk rock scene of the ’70s and ’80s. Her work at WBAI Radio prompted weekly segments where she interviewed music legends; Les Paul, Eddie Money, Carl Perkins, Bo Diddley, Davey Jones, and Joey Ramone to name a few. Eventually, her work culminated in the radio documentary Johnny Thunders Memory. You can listen to the audio version at The Paley Institute in Manhattan. Her unique photography has been featured at The Bowery Electric and Chelsea Arts Gallery. Her short film Behind The Mask, The World According To Covid, won Best Comedy Short at the Marina Del Rey Film Festival in 2021.

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Director Statement

Don’t get out of bed without a song in your head ! Thanks to Peter Greene and his staff John Strasberg the Chateau Marmont my parents cousins and brothers and friends and Everyone else I know