Ruth and Svetozar (Toza) Radakovich Documentary Film Project
"The Radakoviches"

It's happening! New Year's 2011 marked the beginning of a project that I'd only dared dream of. "The Radakoviches" is finally in production! Thanks to a generous donation and the addition of Gerdes Creative, a husband-wife documentary team who made the wildly successful "Eye of the Beholder - The Artistry of James Hubbell", the project is quickly gaining momentum.

* * Exhibition and Filming Event on June 5th, 2011 * *
'The Art of Svetozar and Ruth Radakovich - Jewelry, Sculpture and Paintings' SEE BOTTOM OF PAGE for details!

Here's the film in a nutshell:

We begin with Toza's Yugoslavian background and he and Ruth's post WWII romance. This is a remarkable love story set against the Cold War with our lovers separated by the Iron Curtain, escape attempts, secret messages and codes exchanged via letters and care packages. A gripping love story with a happy ending as our lovers are finally united, study jewelry-making with European Danish masters, then immigrate to the United States. They finally land in Encinitas, CA and become a part of the post-modern California Design era and the American Arts and Crafts revolution. Their contribution was amazing and little has been documented on film about these important art movements.

Our goal is to continue to catalog a seminal collection of art, interviews and ephemera, and continue building this documentary. A trailer will be released by the end of 2011 and is under consideration by the Los Angeles County Museum of Art - part of a Getty sponsored exhibit called "Pacific Standard Time, California Art 1945 - 1980". Our trailer may be featured as part of this exhibition!

Now it's time to fundraise in earnest! We have applied for a grant with the California Council for the Humanities, California Documentary Project Research and Development Grant for $7,000. WE NEED TO MATCH THIS GRANT DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR! We're also looking for in-kind support for airline miles, hotel and rental car vouchers, restaurant gift cards, anything and everything to reduce our out-of-pocket expenses. We welcome your ideas, information, and help IN ANY FORM!

Our website is being re-tooled. We'll keep you up to date on our storytelling progress. So keep checking back!

Fire is emerging as an important visual symbol for this project. Fireplaces, candles, molten metal... images filled with warm orange glows illuminate our story thus far. Perhaps it's the time of the season, perhaps it's symbolic of our commitment to sharing this story with you. Stay tuned as we follow the light and see where it leads...!

An Exhibition and Gathering to Celebrate the Making of their Documentary: The Art of Svetozar and Ruth Radakoivch

What: 1) A showing of Ruth and Toza's jewelry, sculpture and paintings from private collections - a rare opportunity to see this artwork.

2) We are thrilled to introduce the documentary project now finally in production after years of efforts. Watch for it this fall and spread the word to help propel us along our fundraising adventures. Our film will bring to light the post Mid-Century Craft Movement in San Diego via the careers of Ruth and Svetozar Radakoivch. Theirs is a dramatic WWII love story, enduring a mosaic of odds that set in motion their prolific and remarkable life together.

3) And.. the evening will be an actual film shoot for the documentary to capture the setting of a period gallery show opening.

When: June 5th 2011, 5 to 9 pm

Where: Boomerang for Modern (Little Italy area)
2475 Kettner Blvd. San Diego, CA 92101
619 239-2040 www.BoomerangForModern.com

David Skelley is donating the host venue for our gathering. His beautiful Mid-Century shop provides the perfect atmosphere for the story we are still unfolding.

There will be music and light hor d'oeurves.

Come enjoy the exhibition and perhaps participate in the film! Sign our guestbook at the event for updates on the film and for several upcoming shows they will be included in this fall.

For more information and to RSVP, contact:

Jean Radakovich - 760 402-1956 or jeanradakovich@gmail.com