Why filmmaker Ken Burns is revisiting the American Revolution, 250 years on | BBC News

Key Concepts:

• Documentary filmmaking as a process of discovery, not just presentation of facts.
• The importance of "splendid isolation" for creative work.
• The disarming of argument in favor of accepting contradictory truths.
• History as a means to understand human nature and the present.
• The role of perspective and the acceptance of multiple viewpoints.
• The power of stories to connect people and evoke emotional responses.
• The value of public broadcasting in supporting long-term, in-depth projects.

1. Early Aspirations and the Shift to Documentary Filmmaking:

• Ken Burns initially wanted to be a feature filmmaker, inspired by directors like John Ford, Alfred Hitchcock, and Howard Hawks.
• A pivotal moment was watching Sir Carol Reed's "Odd Man Out" with his father, which evoked a rare emotional response from him and solidified his desire to become a filmmaker.
• His experience at Hampshire College, with teachers focused on social documentary still photography, led him to documentary filmmaking, which he initially saw as a path to "anonymity and poverty."
• He chose to stay in Walpole, New Hampshire, despite early success, believing it fostered humility and provided mental space for his work.

2. The Paradox of Isolation and Storytelling:

• Burns argues that a degree of removal is necessary to effectively tell stories with many characters, drawing a parallel to Leo Tolstoy's writing process.
• He emphasizes that his connection to New York City, where he was born and where his daughters live, is still strong, making it "not an either/or" situation.
• He criticizes the tendency to create "non-existent binaries" and argues that good stories embrace contradictory truths, as Winton Marsalis stated in his jazz film: "sometimes a thing and the opposite of a thing could be true at the same time."
• He believes that nature doesn't adhere to rigid structures, and storytellers must honor the "whole wild unformed thing" of human experience.

3. The Role of Public Broadcasting and Creative Freedom:

• Burns highlights the importance of public broadcasting (PBS) in allowing him the time and freedom to create in-depth documentaries without the compromises often imposed by commercial entities.
• He cites the Vietnam series, which took 10.5 years to complete and cost $30 million, as an example of a project that would not have been possible under the constraints of premium cable or streaming services.
• He emphasizes the value of long-term collaborations with a "band of brothers and sisters," some of whom have worked with him for decades.
• He proudly states that all of his films are "director's cuts," reflecting his artistic vision without external interference.

4. Subject Selection and the Interconnectedness of Stories:

• Burns says that subjects "choose" him, meaning that a good story will "insinuate and insist" itself into his consciousness.
• He realized that his baseball documentary was a "sequel to the Civil War," as Jackie Robinson's integration into baseball represented a major step in civil rights.
• He sees jazz as a product of the "peculiar experience of being unfree in a supposedly free land," created by people who then created this art form.
• He explains that he chose country music over rock and roll because he prefers to share a "process of discovery" rather than tell stories about what he already knows.

5. The American Revolution and the Complexity of History:

• Burns notes that the American Revolution, like the Civil War, was a civil war, with a significant percentage of the population remaining loyal to the British crown.
• He emphasizes that the patriots were risking everything, while others were simply trying to stay out of harm's way.
• He aims to expose questions rather than provide easy answers, delving into contradictory and complex stories that reveal the multifaceted nature of American identity.
• He avoids "scolding" or imposing a particular political agenda, instead aiming to share what he has learned and invite viewers to join in the process of discovery.

6. History as a Mirror and the Enduring Nature of Humanity:

• Burns believes that stories can awaken us to the realities of our future by illuminating the past.
• He emphasizes that the people of the past were "exactly like us," with the same virtues, vices, and contradictions.
• He rejects the idea that history repeats itself, but acknowledges that it "rhymes," echoing Ecclesiastes' sentiment that "there is nothing new under the sun."
• He strives to present a balanced perspective, acknowledging the different viewpoints of various actors and stakeholders in historical events.

7. The Search for American Identity and the Importance of Contradictions:

• Burns acknowledges a longing to describe a "de Tocquevillian America of shared experience and community," but recognizes the complexities and contradictions inherent in the nation's history.
• He admires Thomas Jefferson's articulation of the ideals of equality and unalienable rights, while also acknowledging his ownership of slaves.
• He quotes historian Annette Gordon-Reed, who asks, "Why if you knew it was wrong and you could do it?" as a central question for all Americans.
• He sees American history as a mirror reflecting the complexities, contradictions, and controversies of the nation.

8. The Passage of Time and the Value of Perspective:

• Burns believes that the passage of time is essential for gaining perspective on historical events.
• He quotes Philip Graham, who wrote that "journalism is the first rough draft of history," emphasizing the need for time and work to refine our understanding.
• He is currently interviewing Barack Obama about his administration, recognizing that the longer he waits to make the film, the better it will be.
• He emphasizes the importance of the process of filmmaking, striving to make each film better than the last.

9. The Impact of Success and the Power of Connection:

• Burns states that there is no real downside to his success, as it allows him to connect with people on a deeper level.
• He recounts numerous encounters with viewers who have been profoundly affected by his films, such as the man who used baseball to reconnect with his brother after the death of his niece.
• He sees these moments of connection as the ultimate reason for making films, demonstrating the power of stories to evoke emotional responses and foster understanding.

10. Synthesis/Conclusion:

Ken Burns' approach to documentary filmmaking is characterized by a deep commitment to exploring the complexities and contradictions of American history. He emphasizes the importance of perspective, the acceptance of multiple viewpoints, and the enduring nature of human experience. By allowing stories to "choose" him and by embracing the freedom afforded by public broadcasting, he creates films that not only inform but also connect with viewers on a profound emotional level, fostering a deeper understanding of ourselves and our shared past.