THE PRESIDENTS' TAILOR'S Rick Minnich Talks Martin Greenfield Doc on SOUNDS with Tom Needham

SOUNDS with tom needham

The Presidents’ Tailor is a compelling documentary that tells the extraordinary story of Martin Greenfield, a Holocaust survivor who became one of America’s most renowned tailors. Born Maxmilian Grünfeld, Greenfield learned to sew while imprisoned in Auschwitz and later reinvented himself in America, where he crafted suits for iconic figures like Dwight D. Eisenhower, the general who liberated him from Buchenwald. The film chronicles Greenfield’s rise from a floor boy in a Brooklyn factory to the tailor of choice for U.S. presidents and celebrities. It also explores his family’s emotional journey across Europe, retracing the footsteps of their patriarch through the horrors of the Holocaust, and highlights the lasting impact of Greenfield’s dedication to craftsmanship and resilience.

The director, Rick Minnich, is an American filmmaker based in Berlin with a reputation for creating films that examine how past trauma continues to shape present-day lives. Minnich was deeply moved by Greenfield’s story of perseverance and the way he turned his painful past into a legacy of excellence. Known for works like Forgetting Dad and Homemade Hillbilly Jam, Minnich’s films often focus on personal and family dynamics. The Presidents’ Tailor fits within this framework, offering a life-affirming narrative that speaks to resilience in the face of adversity. Through this documentary, Minnich shines a light on not just the art of bespoke menswear but also the power of forgiveness and survival in a world still struggling with the echoes of historical trauma.

Links to upcoming screenings:

Sept. 17th Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan: https://mmjccmfilm.eventive.org/schedule/66c8f96a598d08004fa42f50

Sept. 18-24: IFC Center: https://www.ifccenter.com/films/the-presidents-tailor/

Sept. 21: Hampton Synagogue: https://www.thehamptonsynagogue.org/

Official film website: https://www.thepresidentstailor.com