8 years ago

“Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You”

A master of groundbreaking comedy reflects on television, bigotry and what to value in life.

“We are versions of one another in our common humanity, whatever our color, whatever our ethnicity, whatever, you know, on the surface makes us individuals. In terms of our common humanity, we are copies of one another.”

Arguably the most influential creator, writer, and producer in the history of television, Norman Lear brought primetime into step with the times. Using comedy and indelible characters, his legendary 1970s shows such as All In the Family, Maude, Good Times, and The Jeffersons, boldly cracked open dialogue and shifted the national consciousness, injecting enlightened humanism into sociopolitical debates on race, class, creed, and feminism.

In 2007 Ewing and Grady were nominated for an Academy Award for best documentary feature for “Jesus Camp,” a candid look at Pentecostal children in America. 

Go and watch this humbling documentary portrait at the life, work and political activism of one arguably the most influential creator, writer, and producer in the history of US television; Norman Lear. Directed by Rachel Grady and Heidi Ewing (12th & Delaware, DETROPIA). Watch the trailer below:

normanlearfilm.com

In his prolific career, Norman Lear often found himself arguing with network censors.

For example, have a look at the three following clips. This is CBS’s Mike Wallace speaking to Norman about his sometimes tense relationship with the networks.

Norman Lear’s controversial work led to a disclaimer from CBS.

Norman Lear’s work focused on real people and real conversations.

The groundbreaking 1970s show Maude addressed women’s issues, like abortion, head-on. Which won writer Susan Harris the Humanitas Prize — an award for film and television writing that promotes human dignity, meaning, and freedom.

I consider that the creative community are the hands that feed. MIKE And they’re biting your hand. And they’re biting our hands.

Watch Democracy Now Amy Goodman’s interview below, and more:

BONUS

International Documentary Filmfestival Amsterdam (IDFA)

During IDFA2016 (Amsterdam, November 16 – 27), creative documentaries take centre stage. Since its launch in 1988 IDFA has been one of the world’s leading documentary film festivals, dedicated to the exhibition and promotion of ground-breaking creative documentaries.

Trailer IDFA 2016
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The complete film list for IDFA 2016 is now online!

Photo credit: Loki Films Thirteen / WNET.