This program is part of our Good Lit series, underwritten by the Bernard Osher Foundation.

Film and television director Barry Sonnenfeld has outrageous and hilarious stories to tell—from his idiosyncratic upbringing in New York City, to his breaking into film as a cinematographer with the Coen brothers, to his unexpected career as the director behind such huge film franchises as The Addams Family and Men in Black and beloved work such as Get Shorty, “Pushing Daises” and “A Series of Unfortunate Events.”

Sonnenfeld's philosophy is: "Regret the past. Fear the present. Dread the future." Will Smith once joked that he wanted to take Sonnenfeld to Philadelphia public schools and say, "If this guy could end up as a successful film director on big budget films, anyone can." Come for an engaging conversation that will inspire those who think they can't succeed in life because of a rough beginning.