Filmmaker's 'Kaplowitz' documents Bloomington man with disabilities who influenced many
What if you had a crippling lifelong illness, your mother died when you were 11, and you had funding — plus an large assortment of generous, adoring fans, or "Bobbites"?
You can find out in "Kaplowitz" by Nate Crum, a documentary film about the life and friendships of Bloomington's late Bob Kaplowitz (1948-2022), who had severe cerebral palsy, took opera trips to Europe and was known for his active intelligent mind.
The film is free to the public June 15 and 22 at the historic Tivoili Theatre in Spencer.
"Bob had a family who were financially able to give him good quality if life," Crum said over the phone. "They were extremely generous to Bob and to those (many) who helped him. They had the means and they used the means to support him."
They also refrained from coddling their son, as when Kaplowitz, as a boy, fell down and his father discouraged others from helping him up. Kaplowitz would have to fend for himself in many ways, and his family honored that.
"I have not made a penny (from this film). That's not me whining. I was very blessed to be able to tell the story of my friends," Crum explained.
5 decades of caregivers
For 50 years Kaplowitz relied on caregivers, one of whom was Crum, from 2009-2011. Crum, smack in the middle of his parents' 11 kids, moved to Bloomington when his pastor father started work at what is now called Christ Community Church, formerly called Evangelical Community Church (ECC), on Bloomington's east side. (By the way, those 11 siblings included only one girl.)
"I believe God had everything to do with Bob's life," said Crum, who teaches at Lighthouse Christian Academy. Crum said Kaplowitz endured great suffering but also experienced joy, peace and hope. Kaplowitz, who came from a fairly secular Jewish family, became a Christian in his early 20s.
"Jesus was Bob's messiah, who had saved him. Bob's and my belief is that God works through the kindness of others. Jesus was in control of what his family had."
The film brims with life, humor and hope, but it includes the tragedy of illness and sacrifice. "There's a story in a scene toward the end of the film," Crum said, "and I've probably seen it 40 times. I'm in tears every time."
'I hadn't been around of lot of people with disabilities'
Many of Kaplowitz's caregivers lived in his house alongside him. Kaplowitz graduated from Indiana University and many of his helpmates were IU students.
"I hadn't been around of lot of people with disabilities," Crum said. It was a win-win. "You'd go home after a bad day at school, and Bob is sitting there smiling."
Thanks to his family's generosity, Kaplowitz was able to take many of his helpers to places he loved: Chicago, Europe, The Metropolitan Opera.
"Bob's understanding of opera — I'm not sure there's anyone who understands it more," Crum said. Kaplowitz particularly enthused over Verdi and his Egyptian-themed opera "Aida."
Back in Kaplowitz' Bloomington home, he would say something such as "Please bring me that (such and such) CD."
"There were hundreds of CDs on Bob's wall," Crum said. "We'd bring him that one CD, and he would know who conducted it and everything else about it."
The film required extensive travel, e.g., New Jersey, Boston, Georgia, South Carolina, North Dakota — and other expensive activities and supplies, so Crum set up a GoFundMe page. He also directed, edited and co-produced; Jeremy Chasten co-produced.
"I would not have what I have if it were not for Jeremy," Crum said. "He's my sounding board. He and Maia (Chasten)."
If you go
WHAT: The premiere of "Kaplowitz," a documentary film by Bloomington's Nate Crum about the late Bloomingtonian Bob Kaplowitz, who lived with cerebral palsy
WHEN: 6:20 p.m. June 15 and 22. Doors open at 6.
WHERE: Tivoli Theatre, 24 N. Washington St., Spencer.
TICKETS: Premiere tickets are free, but space is limited. Visit https://bobkaplowitz.com/product/premiere-june to reserve a ticket.
MORE: For interviews that didn't make the final cut, go to https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJU2TlqSCSv/.