Monday, June 16, 2008

Chuck Workman and Stephen J. Kern, IN SEARCH OF KENNEDY producers: Mr. Media Audio Interview

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If MTV edited a presidential campaign video, it would probably look and feel a bit like In Search of Kennedy, a new documentary film by Chuck Workman and Stephen J. Kern.

The movie applies a 21st century sheen to the most iconic of 20th century political figures, John F. Kennedy.

It is incredibly au currant, with the 2008 Democratic references narrowed down to Obama and Clinton.

The movie - which reminds us that, in 2000, even George W. Bush was sold to the American public as being Kennedy-like! - is crammed with familiar faces interviewed expressly for this project, including Norman Mailer, Tom Hayden, Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, Michael Moore, Garrison Keillor, Chris Matthews, Arianna Huffington and Senators Edward Kennedy, Joseph Biden and Chris Dodd. Alec Baldwin and Elisabeth Peña speak the words of prominent writers. Workman, who wrote and directed In Search of Kennedy over a three-year period, received his Oscar® for his live action short “Precious Images.”

Previously, Workman produced and directed two critically acclaimed theatrical documentaries, on two other ‘60s icons, Superstar: The Life and Times of Andy Warhol (1990) and The Source, (1999) about the Beat Generation and Jack Kerouac.

One of the things that may surprise people is that this isn’t just a recitation of JFK’s greatest hits. It is a warts-and-all presentation of Jack and all the Kennedys, from the Bay of Pigs and Marilyn Monroe to Chappaquidick and William Kennedy Smith.

Whether you’re a Kennedy fan or just a political junkie, you’ll no doubt find In Search of Kennedy provocative and entertaining.

You can LISTEN to this Mr. Media interview with Chuck Workman and Stephen J. Kern by clicking the BlogTalkRadio.com audio player below!

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© 2008 by Bob Andelman. All rights reserved.

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Friday, May 23, 2008

Katy Chevigny, ELECTION DAY, DEADLINE documentary filmmaker: Mr. Media Interview

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Katy Chevigny makes award-winning documentary films such as Arctic Son, Innocent Until Proven Guilty, Nuyorican Dream, Brother Born Again, and Outside Looking In: Transracial Adoption in America. Her credits also include the acclaimed film Deadline, an investigation into Illinois Governor George Ryan’s commuting of death sentences. After premiering at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival, the film was broadcast on NBC.

Quite honestly, I know you may not recognize the titles, but if you’re interested in independent film and documentaries, she’s the kind of woman whose work and thoughts you’ll find quite interesting.

Chevigny's latest project is called Election Day. It documents the 2004 U.S. elections, from 11 locations, including a Native American reservation in South Dakota and polling stations in Florida. It will debut on the PBS series "P.O.V." on July 1.

She is currently in post-production on The Dishes, the story of a punk rock band that juggles family and careers in Chicago. Through her work at Arts Engine, Chevigny also oversees MediaRights.org and the "Media That Matters Film Festival." This year's festival debuts online on May 28.

You can LISTEN to this interview by clicking the BlogTalkRadio.com audio player below!

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© 2008 by Bob Andelman. All rights reserved.

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