My Tale of Two Cities could also be referred to as a tale of two films. There is the story of
Pittsburgh and the story of Carl. The Pittsburgh story is told in the style of Roger & Me, but is
more a "Mister Rogers & Me." Carl travels the city, and talks to lots of people seeking out the
solution to the city's woes. But instead of trying to assign blame for what has happened, the film
explores how a community-which was in this case literally Fred Rogers' neighborhood-can pull
together and heal itself from the devastating loss of its main industry.
The film became more personal than Carl had ever imagined, as it began with Carl's neighbor and
dermatologist, Dr. Doug Kress, offering to give him money to make a movie. Carl's director of
photography, Mark Knobil, said he would film the movie on two conditions: 1) that he was allowed to
film Carl actually asking his dermatologist for money and 2) that a "B" camera be running at all
time to which Carl was not allowed to say "cut." This "subversive" camera was often able to grab
candid conversations and events when people, including Carl, thought the camera was looking the
other way. While some of these "behind the scenes" moments are among the funniest in the film,
perhaps more important was the effect this open approach to the documentary had on the characters in
the film and the story they helped us to tell. Nearly all emerged as deeply committed to the city
and hoped that our efforts, that this film, could help Pittsburgh work through its mid-life crisis.
While he never asked to take on this role, through the course of the film, Carl becomes a figure of
hope.
The tone of My Tale of Two Cities is often comedic, and sometimes honestly raw. Carl is an
unlikely hero. As his wife tells us early in the film, "sometimes I can't stand the sound of your
voice." But it is the personal approach that makes the potentially grim subject matter of urban
decay and renewal compelling in the film. The audience finds oneself rooting for both Pittsburgh
and the Kurlanders - including Carl's strong, unorthodox wife, who is torn between her previous,
glamorous L.A. existence and living in her husband's hometown, which she admits, even with all its
problems as a city, is the better place to raise their daughter.
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