Queen of the Mountain

(for movie times see below)

Theresa Goell started her career as an archaeologist with four strikes against her: she was a female, divorced, a Jew working with Muslims, and hearing impaired. But with unshakeable determination, Goell abandoned the comfortable yet restricted lifestyle of her conservative Jewish family in 1933 to pursue her passion at Nemrud Dagh, an isolated mountaintop in Southwestern Turkey that had eluded archaeologists for centuries. Considered the eighth wonder of the ancient world, Nemrud Dagh had been shrouded in mystery until Goell’s pioneering excavations. Struggling with a hearing disability, her work at the site was nothing short of extraordinary, bringing roads, tourists and employment to the impoverished local population. After living most of her life as an outsider, Goell became “queen of the mountain,” gaining worldwide attention for her work and finding a new home among the Kurdish community there.

The film was produced and directed by Martha Goell Lubell. Her tender film takes the shape of an epic adventure; Goell’s saga comes to life through breathtaking National Geographic archival footage of the excavations, hundreds of family photographs and finally Goell’s stunning oral history and letters, read by acclaimed actress Tovah Feldshuh. Lovingly restoring the legacy of this pioneering Jewish woman, QUEEN OF THE MOUNTAIN offers a unique and intriguing portrait of an eccentric spirit and a true American original.

Queen of the Mountain Broadcasts and Screenings
March 22, 2006 7:00pm Bryn Mawr Film Institute

824 West Lancaster Avenue

Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania 19010 USA

March 23, 2006 10:00pm Broadcast on WHYY-TV

Channel 12, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania USA

March 26, 2006 2:00pm Broadcast on WNET

Channel 13, New York City, New York USA

December 9, 2006 11:15am Santa Fe Film Festival

International Folk Arts Museum

Santa Fe, New Mexico USA

December 10, 2006 4:00pm Santa Fe Film Festival

International Folk Arts Museum

Santa Fe, New Mexico USA

December 2006 tba AGON -- International Meeting of Archaeological Film of the Mediterranean

Thessalonica, Greece (venue to be announced)

see: http://www.sitemaker.gr/agwn/page_ENGLISH_1.htm