Press
Andrew R. Chow, The New York Times
June 7, 2018
What's Steaming? TAKE 5: BEYOND THE PARADES on Sundance Now. This Pride Month package unveils five documentaries. One, “Cold Fear: Gay Life in Russia,” explores the repression and violence experienced by L.G.B.T. people living under the Kremlin. In another, “On My Way Out: The Secret Life of Nani & Popi,” Roman Blank, a 95-year-old man who has been married for 65 years to Ruth, a fellow Holocaust survivor, decides to come out. His grandchildren document the decision’s effect on the family. The others are “Becoming More Visible,” “Faith and Gay Fear” and “Seed Money.”
Zosia Bielski, The Globe & Mail
September 8, 2017
4/4 STARS (Of 80+ films reviewed by Canada’s Newspaper of Record, only 8 films received 4/4 stars)
The family movingly embraces its gay patriarch – even matchmaking for him – while trying to protect Ruth, who is fading with dementia. At 40 minutes long, the documentary is beautifully, skillfully sparse. You want more of this family.
Matthew Hays, POV Magazine
September 10, 2017
This is quite simply one of the most alternately heartbreaking and hilarious films I’ve seen in a long time. Made by the titular characters’ grandchildren (Brandon Gross and Skyler Gross), it is a film so intimate, so beautiful and so astonishing, I’ll never forget it.
Peter Howell, Toronto Star
September 3, 2017
This short film is an up-close-and-personal look at heart-wrenching sacrifice and the impact secrets have on a marriage and extended family.
Jordan Adler, The Canadian Jewish News
September 6, 2017
Another amazing true story premieres in Toronto as a special event on Sept. 8. The 40-minute doc, On My Way Out: The Secret Life of Nani and Popi, is a portrait of two Holocaust survivors that is also directed by their grandchildren, Brandon and Skyler Gross. Toronto’s Barry Avrich and Howie Mandel produced the film.
KSBW8
October 21, 2017
This week at the Carmel International Film Festival, we caught up with America's Got Talent judge Howie Mandel. He came to the festival to show a documentary that he produced. It's a project that he says is the most important thing he's ever done. Hear what he has to say about On My Way Out: The Secret Life of Nani and Popi.
Graham Gremore, QUEERTY
September 9, 2017
On My Way Out: The Secret Life of Nani and Popi is a documentary short by filmmakers Brandon and Skyler Gross. The film chronicles the relationship between their grandparents, Roman (Popi) and Ruth (Nani) Blank, both Holocaust survivors, who have been married for 65 years.