Community

E N D O R S E M E N T S

 

In support and admiration of an esteemed colleague: Pier Marton has been a great ally and advocate of the public offerings of Cinema St. Louis. Over the years he has participated directly with the organization in many ways. At the St. Louis International Film Festival he has introduced films and educated audiences on the works and aesthetics of a variety of directors. He has served on a number of award juries over the years for SLIFF and has proved an invaluable participant in those discussions. Pier’s scholarship and passion for the art of the cinema is truly remarkable and his profound contributions to the St. Louis film community are all but immeasurable. He is a true asset to the city and students who are lucky enough to share his cinematic vision.
Chris Clark – Artistic Director, Cinema St. Louis/St. Louis International Film Festival

I have known Pier for years as a trusted film critic and have also served with him on juries for the St. Louis International Film Festival.
Pier’s astute insights and thoughtful critiques are informed by theoretical concepts applied intelligently and appropriately. Our many discussions also make clear that he brings remarkable historical perspective to a wide-range of films. Academia needs and benefits from the quality contributions that Pier alone can offer.
Diane Carson, Ph.D.
Professor Emerita, Past President of the University Film and Video Association
Film Critic – KDHX (88.1 FM)

It is with great enthusiasm that I write the following: a highly valued friend and colleague of my predecessor, the late historian Dr. Judith Doneson, Pier Marton has been an integral part of our institution for more than ten years. Since accepting my position at the Holocaust Museum in St. Louis in 2000, I have continued to rely on his many skills in a variety of ways.
Because of his expertise in film, Pier has been a participant in the museum’s monthly film program; every year of my tenure, Pier has introduced and created discussions around our monthly film screening. His choices are invariably intriguing and his comments continuously illuminating and, even if at times provocative, always accessible to the audience.
He is truly one of our community’s favorite speakers, as indicated by the attendance numbers for the programs he introduces.
Pier has also served on the museum’s permanent exhibition committee, a group that we greatly depend on for their knowledge of the history of the Holocaust and their competence regarding aesthetic decisions.
Pier’s has also lent his wide-ranging expertise to our annual city-wide Yom HaShoah (Holocaust commemoration) program, where he has served as a speaker and created a large number of graphic panels describing his parents and other resistance fighters’ struggles.
Pier has presented Holocaust related themes at programs nationally and internationally and he has built and sustained a reputation for excellence. Because of his record and experience, he was recently invited by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum to participate in a Midwest consortium of Holocaust educators.
Pier is a person of integrity and honesty; I always feel I can depend on his constructive and honest opinions and reactions. He has been, and continues to be, a distinctive and exceptional resource for the Holocaust Museum and Learning Center.
Dan Reich – Director of Education and Curator, Holocaust Museum and Learning Center

Pier is a local treasure, in addition to having a stellar national and even international reputation as an artist in the area of visual communication. He brings to the filmmaking community in St. Louis a rare depth and insight. But beyond that Pier brings an even more unique gift to the table. Pier’s life experience includes a connection to history that most scholars only dream of through a lifetime of study.
The tremendous courage of his parents during the Second World War is an inspiration which resonates with everything Pier does as an artist, as a scholar, and as a teacher. Perhaps this in part is what gives Pier his tremendous empathy and dedication as a teacher. He is really beloved by his students in a way that few teachers are.
As an artist Pier’s work brilliantly explores the human condition in a way that only someone who has had a certain life experience can. He is not replaceable by another faculty member.
Rita M. Csapo-Sweet – Ed.D. Associate Professor Department of Theater, Dance, and Media Studies
Fellow at the Center for International Studies
University of Missouri St. Louis

As the longest-running film critic in St. Louis, dating to 1972, I’d like to enter a plea for Pier Marton to remain an active part of the St. Louis critical community. All of us who comment on the arts in St. Louis come from particular, often unique, backgrounds. Pier Marton’s is most particular and most suited to bringing a world view to our little group. As a Jew who grew up in Paris after World War II, he was exposed to films that we Americans may never have seen, and certainly not from his perspective.
Any conversation I have with with Mr. Marton is illuminating, and I can see how this attitude, carried into the classroom, would make him an exceptional teacher. His writing and teaching experience benefits his students, of course, but also those of us who have been able to spend time with him and to engage in discussions, or just casual conversations.
I think Washington University would make a mistake, and even retreat from its own impressive educational standards, by turning its back on Mr. Marton. His students, his colleagues on the faculty, his friends among film critics and film buffs, even the university, will be lessened by his absence.
The late Joe Pollack – Critic, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 1972-95; critic, KMOX, KSDK-TV, KMOV-TV, KWMU, various periods 1973-2008; critic and correspondent, Variety, 1975-95, critic, www.stlouiseats.typepad.com 2005-2012

Like Brookings Hall (the first building to go up on campus), somehow I thought he had been there, and would continue to be there, forever. That our university would allow a teacher and scholar with his dedication and knowledge to simply get away is more than I can fathom — and I’ve been on this faculty for forty years!
In my view, not since Washington University lost architect/ philosopher R. Buckminster Fuller and playwright Tennessee Williams by allowing them to leave did the University make such a similar colossal blunder by letting Pier Marton “get away.”
The late Frederick Sweet – Ph.D. Professor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Washington University School of Medicine, Fulbright Scholar to Bosnia-Herzegovina 2010-2011

The Gephardt Institute for Public Service considers Professor Marton a wonderful colleague and collaborator. We know that his talents and experience are valued by students and campus partners alike.
It is clear to us that Professor Marton is much more than a teacher. He is in fact a caring mentor who connects with students and challenges them to do their best. He also embraces community-based teaching and learning, helping his students to apply their skills to make a difference in real life social issues and provide community service.
Marton has rare expertise and provides valuable practical training. His courses are in high demand by undergraduate students. His compassionate personality is an important asset for our students and community. We hope that he may be able to continue as a member of the Washington University faculty for years to come.
Robin Hattori – Program Director & Grace Jung – AmeriCorps*VISTA volunteer, Gephardt Institute for Public Service

Professor Pier Marton has generously given of his time and energy in examining the documentaries in the Community Cinema Series. His insights have been beneficial to the screenings, and he is a welcome contributor to the institution.
Alex Detrick – Missouri History Museum

An amazing individual with tremendous life-insight empowering a creative, nurturing spirit…..he is truly ALIVE! Anyone who shares even a moment with him can recognize his gift to the world, a wonderful gift… Amazing! Beautiful! Intelligent! Valued! Magic!!!!!
Ryan Santens – Master Candidate in Social Work & Research Assistant at the Center for Mental Health Services Research
George Warren Brown School of Social Work