DOC NYC - Maynard
He was Obama before Obama, Maynard Holbrook Jackson became first black Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia in 1973 and this film is an exploration into a man who had dreams and ambitions to be a public servant for his people seeing that it was the next logical step in the journey that had been started by Dr. King, and so many others who had blazed the trail during the years of horrific segregation.
Interview with Director Sam Pollard
Watch on Prime Video
Congratulations! Why did you make your film?
I was commissioned by the family of Maynard Jackson Jr (Maynard Jackson III and Wendy Eley Jackson) to put together a film about the life of Maynard Jackson.
Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?
Maynard Jackson is one of the most important African American figures in the 1970’s and one of the most influential African American politicians since Reconstruction.
He was the first African American mayor of Atlanta that ran for 3 terms. He supported affirmative action which was one of his major goals and he succeeded. The is an important figure in American history that has been forgotten.
How do personal and universal themes work in your film?
As a filmmaker not only is it important to understand politics in the United States but also to understand the man and his relationship with his father and family.
How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?
There was not script but because of the Jackson family, we were able to interview a variety of people from Bill Clinton to Andrew Young to Reverend Al Sharpton. They all had a place in his life personally and professionally as well as his family.
What type of feedback have you received so far?
Feedback has been very positive and we hope it will continue to be positive after the premiere at DOC NYC.
Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?
Given the current political climate, people are gravitating to the promise of hope and selfless pursuit of American ideals that reverberate across race and gender. I am also finding that the number of current leaders in business and politics who were inspired by Maynard is far greater than I imagined.
What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible onwww.wearemovingstories.com?
We are hoping that people will want to look back at Maynard’s life and how he was a trailblazer for voter engagement and affirmative action - these policies have benefited African Americans, Latinos, women and the LGBTQ communities.
Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?
Everybody should come on board. We want the film to have a large impact. We need networks, distributors, festival directors and journalists to come aboard. Maynard was an American hero. This is a dark period in our democracy and Americans need to be reminded about the importance of voting, the promise it offers, and the value of preserving affirmative action. Maynard was a man any of us would have loved to have not only in leadership but as a father, husband, friend and neighbor.
What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?
We’d like to use the film as a tool to reintroduce civics education in junior high, high school and college to inspire the next generation of leaders.
What’s a key question that will help spark a debate or begin a conversation about this film?
When he was mayor, did Maynard Jackson do enough to solve the Atlanta child murders.
What are the key creatives developing or working on now?
Finishing up a documentary about voter fraud that is titled “Rigged".
Interview: November 2017
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We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela
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MAYNARD
He was Obama before Obama, Maynard Holbrook Jackson became first black Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia in 1973 and this film is an exploration into a man who had dreams and ambitions to be a public servant for his people seeing that it was the next logical step in the journey that had been started by Dr. King, and so many others who had blazed the trail during the years of horrific segregation.
Length: 99 minutes
Director: Sam Pollard
Producer: Maynard Jackson III, Wendy Eley Jackson, Dolly Turner, Winsome Sinclair, Daphne McWilliams, Jason Orr, and Donald Jarmond
About the writer, director and producer:
Sam Pollard is an Academy Award nominated and Emmy winning Director, editor and producer. Known for Slavery By Another Name, Eyes on the Prize, 25th Hour , 4 Little Girls, When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts and Clockers .
Key cast: President Bill Clinton, Reverend Al Sharpton, Vernon Jordan, Ambassador Andrew Young, Rev. Joseph Lowery, Jesse Jackson, former Atlanta Mayor’s Sam Massell and Shirley Franklin, and current Mayor Kasim Reed to name a few.
Looking for (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors): Distributors
Made in association with: Auburn Avenue Films
Release date: to be determined
Synopsis: He was Obama before Obama, Maynard Holbrook Jackson became first black Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia in 1973 and this film is an exploration into a man who had dreams and ambitions to be a public servant for his people seeing that it was the next logical step in the journey that had been started by Dr. King, and so many others who had blazed the trail during the years of horrific segregation.
Maynard interviews include President Bill Clinton, Al Sharpton, Vernon Jordan, Ambassador Andrew Young, Rev. Joseph Lowery, Jesse Jackson, former Atlanta Mayor’s Sam Massel and Shirley Franklin, and current Mayor Kasim Reed to name a few.
Directed by Academy Award nominee, Emmy winner and 4 time Peabody Award winner Sam Pollard (“Slavery by Another Name”, “Sammy Davis, Jr.: I’ve Gotta Be Me”, “Two Trains Runnin’”), Maynard is produced by Maynard Jackson III, Wendy Eley Jackson, Dolly Turner, Winsome Sinclair, Daphne McWilliams, Jason Orr, and Donald Jarmond with cinematography by Henry Adebonojo who worked on the Academy Award nominated documentary “I Am Not Your Negro”.
Website http://maynardmovie.com
Facebook https://m.facebook.com/maynardmovie/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/maynardmovie/
Twitter https://twitter.com/maynardmovie