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March 19, 2009 | 11:59 AM
This is the second part of an article which ran on Feb. 19.

The Greater Port Jefferson-Northern Brookhaven Arts Council is once again providing audiences with the opportunity to enjoy reel realities by presenting critically acclaimed documentary films. The arts council is the only organization on Long Island that sponsors a film series exclusively devoted to documentaries, and six outstanding selections have been scheduled for screening on Monday evenings during March and April. As in the past, presentations will be interactive, with guest speakers associated with the films on hand to discuss the documentaries and answer questions from the audience.

'Please Vote for Me'

"Please Vote for Me," a 2007 documentary, follows an election in China as three 8-year-olds, each aided by two "campaign assistants," attempt to prove their worthiness to fellow classmates. To garner votes, the students sing or play instruments, engage in debates in which they point out their personal qualifications, as well as the shortcomings of their opponents, and summarize their candidacies in culminating speeches delivered in front of the class. The candidates' parents coach them through the process, and pressure mounts in the

battle to win votes.

The campaign takes its toll, especially on the losing candidates and their assistants. Is democracy a universal value that suits human nature? The film, which will be shown on Monday, March 23 at the SBU Wang Center, offers insight into the question. Marsha Laufer, chairwoman of the Brookhaven Democratic Committee, will be on hand for audience discussion following the showing.

'Autism Every Day'

"Autism Every Day," a documentary produced by Lauren Thierry and Eric Solomon, was selected as a special screening film at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. The film focuses on the unrelentingly stressful lives of mothers of children with autism, as they deal with the 24-hour-a-day challenges with which they are confronted. Armed with uncompromising hope and unconditional love, eight families struggle with the perplexities and frustrations that daily life presents.

The film, which will be shown at Theatre Three on Monday, April 6, is sponsored by Autism Speaks, a New York City based advocacy organization. There will be no charge for admission. After the film, Carol and Eric Solomon and Michele and Ralph Iallonardi, parents of children affected by autism, will speak with the audience.

'Four Seasons Lodge'

"This is our revenge on Hitler. To live this long, this well, is a victory." These are the words of Fran Lask, a survivor of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in World War II. Each summer, Lask joins fellow holocaust survivors at the Four Seasons Lodge in the Catskills, where they come together to celebrate their lives.

Director and New York Times journalist Albert Maysles captures the group's passion for living in his 2008 documentary "Four Seasons Lodge," showing at Theatre Three on Monday, April 13. In contrast to their harrowing wartime experiences, the tightly bonded group displays a spirit, energy and wit that belies the haunting memories of times past. Their positive outlook is punctuated by their raucous poker games, intoxicating laughter and dancing that goes on until dawn.

Moving and entertaining, "Four Seasons Lodge" offers a last glimpse at a vanishing fraternity of individuals before they recede into history. The film's producer, Matthew Lavine, will be available for questions and discussion following the screening.

The Greater Port Jefferson-Northern Brookhaven Arts Council, supported by a number of local sponsors, seeks to present award-winning documentary films and interactive experiences to interested and involved audiences. Admission to the documentary presentations, except where noted, is $5; $4 for students, seniors and arts council members; Stony Brook students admitted free to the Wang Center. All screenings begin at 7 pm.

Theatre Three is located at 412 Main St., Port Jefferson. For more information, call the arts council at 473-5220 or visit the website at www.gpjac.org.

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