In A Gathering of Strangers: The Making of The Merchant in Venice, director Karin Coonrod embarks on a riveting journey that intertwines art, history, and contemporary issues. This thought-provoking documentary begins with Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, set in a Venice the playwright never visited. Fast forward to 2015, and the film delves into the high-stakes final auditions for a bold production staged in the Venetian ghetto, where the complexities of language and identity come alive.

The film features powerful performances from Paul Spera, grandson of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Linda Powell, daughter of General Colin Powell, alongside the late Reg E. Cathey of House of Cards. As the ensemble, drawn from New York, London, and Rome, assembles under Coonrod’s direction, the documentary captures the nuanced exploration of Shakespeare’s work amidst rising anti-Semitism and threats to justice.

Through visits from influential figures like Ruth Bader Ginsburg, A Gathering of Strangers reveals the intricate interplay of art and societal challenges. It examines the persistent relevance of Shakespeare’s themes of mercy and justice, magnified by the historic and modern-day tensions in Venice’s Jewish ghetto.

Accompanying the film premiere is a discussion with director Ted Hardin, producer Elizabeth Coffman, and film subject Karin Coonrod. To view the conversation please click here.