The assassination of John F. Kennedy marked a significant turning point in both American and global history. Very few films or television series have delved into the specifics of this pivotal moment. Nearly 45 years later, a collaborative effort between the United States and Canada has resulted in the creation of a new TV series titled Across the River to Motor City. This ambitious project, produced by the acclaimed Devine Entertainment and Jonsworth Productions, is set to premiere on CITY-TV on Monday, November 19. The series aims to explore the profound impact of the Kennedy assassination on history. Among the cast is Sasha Roiz, a Canadian actor of Israeli descent, portraying the character Benjamin Ford at the age of 30 in 1963, who tragically loses his fiancée on the day of JFK’s assassination. David Fox takes on the role of the same character, now 67 years old in 2000, 37 years later. The series consists of six episodes, all directed by Michael deCarlo. Charlotte Wilton, a native of Toronto, plays the role of Ben’s fiancée who mysteriously disappears on November 22, 1963.
Detroit, during that period, was not just known as Motor City, the global automotive hub, but it was also emerging as the pop music center of North America, all thanks to Motown Records. This black-owned and black-operated enterprise featured predominantly black artists like The Supremes and Stevie Wonder, among others. A significant part of Motown’s triumph can be attributed to the 50,000-watt Windsor radio station, CKLW. This station was one of the pioneering North American stations to merge the black and white record charts, thereby expanding Motown’s reach beyond the black community to a broader mainstream youth audience, encompassing both black and white listeners. CKLW, being on the AM clear channel frequency of 800, could be heard in four provinces and 27 states, setting the trend for North American popular music for close to two decades until Canadian regulations on content compelled it to limit the airing of most Detroit hits. Presently, CKLW operates as a talk station focusing on Windsor’s municipal affairs.
Sasha, in an interview with the Jewish Tribune, mentioned that CKLW radio, despite having mostly white Canadian disc jockeys, played a significant role in promoting black assertiveness. This series also delves into racial issues, with the Detroit uprising in 1967 being one of the most violent black insurrections before the Los Angeles conflict in 1992. Additionally, the series explores other US matters such as the escalating Vietnam War. The title track features Motown-style music, adding to the overall theme. The documentary also highlights the notable changes and similarities between Detroit and Windsor from 1963 to 2000, offering viewers plenty of food for thought.
His parents’ way of life had a positive impact on Sasha, particularly in terms of the immigrant experience of hard work and determination.
His family moved to Montreal when he was seven, and he relocated to Toronto four years ago. Currently, he is dedicating more time to work in Los Angeles.
His insights into the cultural disparities in TV and film between the US and Canada, stemming from his experience working on both sides of the border, are enlightening.
In contrast to the US, where Hollywood shapes a national pop culture, Canadian TV reflects regional cultural distinctions. For instance, Corner Gas, which is set in the prairies, resonates deeply in that region but not as much in the eastern cities or the east coast. Similarly, shows based in Newfoundland do not have the same impact in the western regions.
According to Sasha, the show business attitudes in the US and Canada differ significantly. Interestingly, he believes that the showbiz scene in French Quebec resembles the positive aspects of Hollywood more than English Canada does, with its star system and aggressive promotion.
Sasha also thinks that Toronto’s showbiz scene needs to be more self-assertive and confident in order to provide opportunities for its actors and creators. He emphasizes the need for more financial support and a star system in Toronto, as he feels that the current scene is too polite and lacks confidence. However, he acknowledges that Toronto is a wonderful city to live in.
Sasha believes that the lack of confidence in Toronto leads to limitations, causing people to realize that their careers can only go so far before they have to move to Los Angeles, where Canadian actors are well-received. In fact, Sasha himself is following this path and hopes that his involvement in “Across the River to Motor City” will contribute to Toronto gaining a new sense of global self-confidence.
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