Eddie's working on Howard Zinn documentary

janegosfordjanegosford Posts: 179
edited December 2007 in The Porch
Can't wait for this!

http://www.variety.com/article/VR111797 ... id=14&cs=1

Howard Zinn's 'History' comes to TV
Documentary miniseries to feature Damon, Vedder
By MICHAEL SCHNEIDER


Production is finally set to begin on a long-delayed TV version of Howard Zinn's landmark 1980 tome "A People's History of the United States."
The four-hour documentary miniseries -- titled "The People Speak" -- will include performances by Matt Damon, Marisa Tomei, Viggo Mortensen, Danny Glover, Josh Brolin, David Strathairn, Kerry Washington, Eddie Vedder and John Legend.

Zinn will host the longform project, which begins shooting next month in Boston. Project, to be exec produced by Zinn, Anthony Arnove and First Tuesday Media's Chris Moore, has not yet been sold to a network.

Damon and Moore have been looking to adapt "A People's History of the United States" on television for nearly a decade.

Damon, who lived next door to Zinn as a child, and Ben Affleck included a reference to Zinn and "A People's History" in their Academy Award-winning "Good Will Hunting." Soon thereafter, the scribes and Moore (also a "Good Will Hunting" producer) sold a 10- to 12-hour miniseries to Fox based on the book.

"A People's History" was slated to run on Fox in 1999, but that didn't happen; later, HBO developed a three-part version but eventually passed as well.

The new adaptation will draw from both "A People's History," and sequel tome "Voices of A People's History of the United States," which Zinn wrote with Arnove. Miniseries will center on the actors and musicians as they read from the books or perform music related to their themes: the struggles of women, war, class and race.

The longform will mix the performances with photos, interviews and archival footage.

"This project is about Howard Zinn, his books and using that body of work to remind and inspire us all that this is a country built on dissidence," Moore said. "Howard's work deserves to be on film, and it is time that we paid tribute and captured the struggles of the people."

Zinn, whose books chronicle the struggles of Native Americans, women, workers and other Americans, said he'd like to continue to inspire activists.

"Our hope is that these words from the past will speak passionately and clearly to the needs of the present," he said.

Cinetic Media is handling domestic sales for "The People Speak," which is also being readied for a DVD release after its initial TV run. Artfire Films' Art Spigel, Ara Katz and Dan Fireman are on board as producers; David Baerwald will provide the music score.
Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • this is great news! The people's history of the US has to be the greatest book ever written. Even if Ed wasn't involved with it (no offense) I'd still be excited about seeing it.
    ...master of karate and friendship for everyone!
  • I wonder if Ed will sing "Down"...
  • my2handsmy2hands Posts: 17,117
    two words


    fuck yeah!
  • RiotAct10RiotAct10 Ohio Posts: 1,632
    According to Billboard....

    "Pearl Jam frontman Vedder and R&B singer John Legend will handle the music."

    http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003684315
    words seem so out of place.

    8.21.00 Columbus | 6.24.03 Columbus | 7.9.03 NYC | 10.2.04 Toledo | 9.11.05 Kitchener | 5.20.06 Cleveland | 8.5.07 Chicago | 5.6.10 Columbus | 5.7.10 Noblesville | 5.9.10 Cleveland | 9.3.11 East Troy | 9.4.11 East Troy | 7.19.13 Chicago | 10.11.13 Pittsburgh | 10.1.14 Cincinnati | 4.8.16 Ft. Lauderdale | 4.9.16 Miami | 8.8.18 Seattle | 8.10.18 Seattle | 9.26.21 Dana Point | 10.1.21 Dana Point | 10.2.21 Dana Point | 9.16.22 Nashville | 9.17.22 Louisville | 9.18.22 St. Louis | 9.2.23 St. Paul | 9.15.23 Ft. Worth | 6.22.24 Dublin | 8.26.24 Noblesville | 9.27.24 Dana Point | 9.29.24 Dana Point
    6.26.11 Detroit (EdVed) | 9.23.17 Louisville (EdVed) | 9.25.21 Dana Point (EdVed) | 10.01.22 Dana Point (EdVed) | 2.6.22 Newark (EdVed)
  • I suspect that "Down" will likely be featured in the documentary, but I also think that Ed might contribute some new material as well.
    "I'll end up alone like I began..."

    "You need the patience of like a National Geographic photographer sitting underneath the bush in a tent, trying to get a picture of zebras fucking or something for the first time." -Eddie Vedder
  • This sounds like an interesting project. I am definitely looking forward to its release.
    s

    Montreal/98, Toronto/00'03'05'06x2, Brad Toronto/02, Buffalo/03, Kitchener/05, London/05, Hamilton/05, Late Show Taping/06, Cleveland/06, Pittsburgh/06, Bridge School Benefit Concert/06, Hartford/08, Mansfield 1/08, EV Montreal/08x2, EV Toronto/08x2...
  • IamMineIamMine Posts: 2,743
    Nice!!

    I reallly admire Howard Zinn... but I am still upset over the fact that his documentary was not closed-captioned and this one?

    It'd better be... no one likes to see me upset.

    It. is. not. a. pretty. sight.

    Nope. :D

    Anyway, EV seems to be awfully busy lately and getting out there more.

    Ahem... don't forget the little people, EV. :D;)

    But I agree that it's time to show Howard Zinn's work on a film and also showing respect for him. He's one of the people I'd love to meet in person.

    Ok, now I'm getting mad about that documentary, "You Can't Be Moving On A Netural Train".

    motherf****kersssssssssssss.........

    I really need to sign up for a yoga class.....that'd be a nice xmas gift!

    Thanks for another goodie today, gozzo! :)
    JA: Why do I get the Ticketmaster question?
    EV: It's your band.
    ~Q Magazine


    "Kisses for the glow...kisses for the lease." - BDRII
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