Dust Bowls and Jewish Souls:Another Side of Woody Guthrie
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Dust Bowls and Jewish Souls:
Another Side of Woody Guthrie

Director and Producer Steven Pressman, Producer Lisa Stark

Many know Woody Guthrie as the quintessential Oklahoman balladeer who wrote “This Land Is Your Land,” but few are aware that Jewish culture had a hand in shaping his private life and career. Dust Bowls and Jewish Souls explores Guthrie’s moving relationship with his mother-in-law, prominent Yiddish poet Aliza Greenblatt, and the impact she had on his songwriting.

Year of Completion

2026

Festivals
  • Toronto Jewish Film Festival
Steven Pressman

Steven Pressman

Director, Producer

Steven Pressman worked for several years as a newspaper and magazine journalist before turning to documentary filmmaking. As a filmmaker, he has specialized in creating films that explore previously unknown stories rooted in American Jewish history. Steve’s first film, 50 Children: The Rescue Mission of Mr. and Mrs. Kraus, premiered on HBO in 2013 and was nominated for an Emmy in the category of Outstanding Historical Programming. His other award-winning films include Holy Silence (PBS, 2020); The Levys of Monticello (2022); and Moses Ezekiel: Portrait of a Lost Artist (2024). In addition to his film work, Steve is the author of a best-selling book 50 Children: One Ordinary American Couple’s Extraordinary Rescue Mission Into the Heart of Nazi Germany (Harper Collins, 2014).Steve lives in San Francisco.

Project logline and bios courtesy of the grantees.