By Jeffrey Catalano
Assistant Editor
On Sunday, February 22, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., the “Jewish and Israeli Film Festival” will be screening, in partnership with the Jewish Federation of Cincinnati – Silver Circle Society and Create Your Jewish Legacy, the third to last film in its line-up, “Midas Man,” at the Mayerson JCC.
The 2024 film is 112 minutes long and carries a content warning of sexual content, harsh language and mild violence. The film was directed by Joe Stephenson, whose previous credits include “Dr. Jekyll” and “Agatha and the Midnight Murders.” The film was written by Brigit Grant and Jonathan Wakeham.
“Midas Man” is a biographical drama film that tells the story of famous music entrepreneur, Brian Epstein, the man who signed and managed one of the most important bands in the history of music, the Beatles. Successful as Epstein was in his career, “Midas Man” details how his career had its highs and lows. The popular music manager lived a thousand lives in just a few short years, and he died in 1967 at only 32.
Prior to his accidental death from an alcohol and barbiturate overdose, Epstein was one of the most successful music managers in music history, whose other discoveries include Gerry and Pacemakers, Billy J. Kramer and the Dakotas.
Epstein was born into a Jewish family of successful retailers in Liverpool, England. As a young man, he was put in charge of his family’s music shop, and right from the start, he showed an incredible ear for musical talent.
His years managing his family’s music shop helped him recognize the singular talent of the Beatles when he first came across them in 1961, back when the Fab Four was still playing small venues and clubs. Not long after seeing the Beatles live, he decided to manage them. The band signed a five-year contract with Epstein in late January of 1962.
Should you want to attend the screening of “Midas Man” at the JCC, there is a fee for admission.
