comments_imageCOMMENTS: 18

Dramatic Voices of Dissent: Celebrities Film Zinn's 'The People Speak'

The actors in this four-part TV series are more of a social movement than a cast.
January 26, 2008  |  
 
 
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Why would Josh Brolin -- with all the current Oscar buzz for his work in No Country for Old Men -- schlep to Boston to film an independent television project named The People Speak for union-scale wages? He explains with passion, "I have given myself over to supporting [this project] in any way that I can in the spirit of reaching those who are in need of an inspiration ... to speak up for themselves." It is this continuum among the historical dissident writings, the activist performers and an audience hungry to unearth the history of their own class, gender and race, that promises to produce an exceptional television series.

The four-hour series is based on the words of the original primary sources for Howard Zinn's unique perennial A Peoples History of the United States, now approaching sales of 2 million copies. These testimonies have been collected by Zinn and his frequent collaborator Anthony Arnove in a new volume called Voices of a Peoples History of the United States. Chris Moore, Zinn and Arnove are executive producing and directing.

Recently they shot the first four sessions of readings and performances in Boston's Cutler Majestic Theatre, organizing them around four themes: class, women, race and war. Boston is Zinn's home turf, so every seat was swiftly filled with people who know his work.

Zinn's introductions and each session's readings offered tantalizing insights into the oft-hidden radical sides of historical figures. Helen Keller, generally represented in soft-focus homilies for overcoming her disabilities, was actually a fiery socialist and suffragist who once, Zinn recalled, picketed outside a theater production about herself. In the "women" session, Christina Kirk read with obvious contemporary resonance from Keller's famous 1916 speech Strike Against War. Here is one excerpt:
We are not preparing to defend our country. Even if we were as helpless as Congressman Gardner says we are, we have no enemies foolhardy enough to attempt to invade the United States. ... [Congress] is planning to protect the capital of American speculators and investors. ... Incidentally this preparation will benefit the manufacturers of munitions and war machines.
Mark Twain's novels are taught in schools, but his anti-imperialist essays were only collected in 1992. "I am opposed," he wrote in 1900, "to have the eagle put its talons on any other land." He exposed the slaughter of Philippine natives during the American invasion in 1899. His Comments on the Moro Massacre, read by Brolin during the "war" session, recall how 600 Filipino children, women and men were trapped in a crater, surrounded on all sides and murdered by "the Christian soldiers of the United States" shooting down into it.

For the many celebrities involved, this is a too-rare chance to work on something that reflects their political values. In shooting this production, Howard Zinn explains, the means are as rewarding as the ends:
Danny Glover, Marisa Tomei, Kerry Washington and Viggo Mortensen all flew the redeye just to spend a day or two with us ... The affection, the teamwork and the camaraderie -- it becomes less a cast than a social movement, like people on a picket line together. That's the spirit we felt backstage and throughout the process.
The four sessions garnered a momentum that culminated in a prolonged, celebratory standing ovation at the end of the last shoot, audience and cast alike savoring the rare experience of being in a theater full of like-minded progressives.

Some of the readings are terrifying. Following a disturbing excerpt from Christopher Columbus' diary at the opening of the "war" session, Viggo Mortensen read a chilling piece from Bartolome de las Casas' Brief Account of the Devastation of the Indies, written in 1542. De las Casas explains how 49 years after the arrival of the Spanish "ravening wild beasts" to Hispaniola, a place that "is a beehive of people," the estimated population of 3 million was reduced to "barely 200 persons."
actor2

Some readings are inspirational, not the least Danny Glover's powerful performance of Langston Hughes' "Ballad of Roosevelt" and Mortensen's heart-stopping a capella version of Bob Dylan's "Masters of War." With his hip-hop body language, the Run-D.M.C. founder Darryl McDaniels performed the speech Glover made during the 2003 world protest against the invasion of Iraq, while Glover watched from backstage. When John Legend sang Marvin Gaye's anti-war song, "What's Goin On," the boomers in the crowd visibly swooned.

"Since we published Voices in 2004," Arnove says, "Howard and I have been organizing readings with actors, poets, activists and sometimes even the people themselves or a relation, like the mother of Rachel Corrie." Last month in one such performance, a dramatized version called Rebel Voices at the Culture Project, New York's political theater, the poet and writer Staceyann Chin started her love affair with the project. "I believe in the texts. ... As a black, immigrant lesbian woman, I appreciate the retelling of historical events from the point of view of people who aren't necessarily the voice of power."

With backing from Carolyn Mugar, executive director of Farm Aid, and the independent film production company ArtFire, the three collaborators hope to complete the project before selling it. While they are in talks with "serious television networks," Arnove explains, "we want to do it on our own terms." There's already a lot of international interest -- they're putting together a trailer for the Berlin Film Festival -- but their focus is on the domestic market.

actor1Zinn sighs over the past attempts to bring his bestseller to the screen. There was the Fox vice president who had read Zinn's book in college and worked with him until it was nixed by Fox two years later. "I don't know what went on behind the scenes -- perhaps they finally read it," Zinn smiled.

Later he spent a day in L.A. with Moore, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck -- "Ben did most of the talking" -- visiting with three TV networks (HBO, TNT and ABC), all of which wanted the rights to a dramatic series based on the book. "We picked HBO," recalls Zinn, who then hired three top writers: John Sayles, Howard Fast and Paul Laverty (who works with Ken Loach). HBO rejected the scripts and when Zinn made the unhappy call to John Sayles, the writer told him, "I know why they turned it down. It's not sexy enough."

Zinn prefers the present format, working with the texts themselves and maintaining creative control. "We wouldn't sell it to anyone who is going to change it, cut it, censor it. We'll sell it to whoever has no qualms about presenting this bold, in-your-face view of American history. ... I feel fairly confident that some enterprising station that isn't too burdened by corporate sponsorship will be interested in buying it."

There are many more tapings to be done, not the least, musical performances. Eddie Vedder, front man of Pearl Jam, and both Steve Earle and Allison Moorer are onboard -- they just couldn't make it to Boston. The producers are talking to Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen -- the latter is apparently a Howard Zinn admirer -- but neither is yet nailed down. If they have the funds, they'll go shoot where busy stars are located. They may have to do that with Matt Damon, who grew up next door to the Zinns, but who couldn't make these shoots. Ultimately, Arnove told me, "We hope to come back to the Cutler Majestic Theatre with a group of musicians to do an evening of mostly musical interpretations of powerful voices of dissent from U.S. history."

Their plans are ambitious: Besides the four-hour television series, they want to produce an expanded DVD with multiple educational uses, build a parallel life on the Web, with downloadable modules, and develop a theatrical incarnation. While there is pressure from some directions to have the series out before the November elections, for Arnove the timing is coincidental. "This isn't an intervention. We want to inspire the kinds of social movements that can put pressure on whoever is in office in 2008."

The process is ongoing. Brolin feels he's made the leap from learning about American history to trying to change it. "The collective reaction of the audience at the theatre. ... gave me the same empowering rush that I felt when I first read the book." He hopes that The People Speak will "give children and adults alike the spoken proof that every voice matters, whether it be realized at that very moment or 500 years from now."

To prevent any viewer at the Boston sessions from missing the ultimate activist point of The People Speak, Frederick Douglass, via Danny Glover, is given the last word from his 1857 speech West India Emancipation: "If there is no struggle there is no progress. ... Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will."
Sue Katz has published journalism on the three continents where she has lived; her topics range from Middle East peace movements to the impact of aging on sexuality. Visit her blog at www.suekatz.com.
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Comments are closed-

progressives are simply properly educated "sheeple"
Posted by: Suzon on Jan 26, 2008 4:57 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The cast and audience in the Boston theatre were born lucky. Life somehow gave them chanches denied to others. People who claim to be progressive but who sneer at others need to get a little humility.

Not everyone grew up reading books. How many Americans are in fact illiterate? Of those who can read, how many have been led to think that reading serious stuff might make a difference in their lives? How many Americans think that they matter?

A great deal of human activity is unnecessary and damaging. This project is sane and useful. Thanks to all concerned!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Talk about... Posted by: Astroboy
» RE: US has 99% literacy rate Posted by: Ydotheyhateus
» Literacy rate isn't enough Posted by: Joshua Holland

Comments are closed-

Distribution is Key
Posted by: patsy6 on Jan 26, 2008 6:28 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Wide distribution is of this noble project is essential. DVDs, web availability and theatrical productions should definitely be a part of this, but it needs to be presented, uncut, on network or public television as well, in order to have a better shot at reaching the 37 million Americans who currently live below the poverty line. It reminds me of Woody Guthrie's reasoning for writing the song "Tom Joad," a summary of the Steinbeck novel, "The Grapes of Wrath." Guthrie said he wrote and sang "Tom Joad" to bring the story of the Joads and the dust bowl to the people portrayed in the book, many of whom could not read and could not afford the price of admission to see the movie version of "The Grapes of Wrath."

I'd love to see Mr. Zinn's production in full on public television.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

This is fantastic - let every American view this, every one of all ages, all backrounds.
Posted by: greentime on Jan 26, 2008 7:00 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This is our written history and now our visual and oral history, let it bring the truth to every heart. It is our story but is also the truth world wide. Thanks to all who love Howard Zinn and to those who are making this project a reality. I have bought and given more of Zinn's People's History than I can count and I urge everyone to do the same.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

Light in This Age of Darkness
Posted by: Astroboy on Jan 26, 2008 8:43 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Think of Zinn's collaborative work, and that of many others (Naomi Klein, Wolf, Russo, etc.) as the being of The Revolution.

The people are rustling their chains.

It's time is NOW, and we the people shall rise to the fight and overcome.

I pray.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Dark Ages Posted by: gellero

Comments are closed-

Wonderful news for America and for the World!
Posted by: Don Pablo on Jan 26, 2008 10:59 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This is wonderful news, not only for America, but for the world. I would recommend the producers to have translations made from the very beginning, and arrange for global distribution. I read Mr Zinn’s A People’s history and I am convinced that this should be obligatory reading for all high school and university students all over the world. Not as a reminder how bad the US has behaved, after all th story started with the Spanish, British, Dutch, etc. The lesson should be that we can learn lessons and change the proceedings of the people we elected in office.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

MSM channels will censor and edit this; get it online!
Posted by: JLPearson on Jan 26, 2008 11:11 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
For the same reasons the major TV networks tried to alter Zinn's work to fit their idea of programming, they won't broadcast it as it is. So let copies be given to all schools, to all libraries, to all groups working, as Dr. King once said, "to save the soul of America." And since so many young people are more receptive to videos than books, to allow a majority of them to see this presentation, perhaps to be inspired to read or reread the book, it should be streamed online, be available as downloads, and for purchase as a DVD.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

I am so jazzed to watch this!
Posted by: BlueBerry PickN on Jan 26, 2008 1:15 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
thank you!

I'd not heard of this project &

... I find its always regrettable if I miss a Zinn project

as Zinn's Voice speaks so clearly through issues & thoughts that are so consequential to social & personal living...

~~
Spread Love...

BlueBerry Pick'n
can be found @
"ThisCanadian
~~~
"We, two, form a Multitude" ~ Ovid.
~~~
"Silent Freedom is Freedom Silenced"

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

I was a Zinn novice
Posted by: jackyD on Jan 26, 2008 7:28 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
until I read A People's History of the United States. I'm as excited about this project as the rest of you. Can't wait to get my hands on this. Hopefully this will one day be an inspiration to my grandchildren.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

A Valuable Enterprise
Posted by: tsmith101 on Jan 28, 2008 3:25 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Howard Zinn's work has been seminal in my interest in history, politics, and activism, and this project will very likely make his valuable research and work available and relevant to young people. As an activist, American, and genuinely compassionate human being, Mr. Zinn is an inspiration to us all. As a historian, however, Zinn's work is undeniably tinged by his ideology, which simply happens to be one with which I agree. I wonder how the readers of this article would react to a hyped, star studded production of, say, Henry Kissinger's version of the history of Diplomacy?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

LETS GO BACK TO THE BEGINNING AND TRY TO SEE HOW THIS HAPPENED.
Posted by: Raymond Emerson on Feb 1, 2008 11:03 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Howard Zinn started life in the shipyards. If there had been no G.I. Bill, Howard, most likely, could not have gone to school. When he did he became a different man than those college students that went to party. George Bush was a frat rat and a cheer leader. He still is.

Harry Truman farmed for 11 years before he went to the First Great War. You can't have a man of the people unless he came from the right beginnings. We must go back to educating each and everyone that wants it and will try. Howard saw and still sees the world through the eyes that he took to school with him. He simply knows things that other scholars don't.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

Can Someone Please Buy Us a Network?
Posted by: Tim Brown on Feb 19, 2008 5:46 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Zinn's work and many others like it need to be seen by that huge swath of citizens who are never given this kind of information. Alas, we have no counterpoint to FOX News...

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Alternet Comments:

Comments are closed-

progressives are simply properly educated "sheeple"
Posted by: Suzon on Jan 26, 2008 4:57 AM   
Current rating: 3    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The cast and audience in the Boston theatre were born lucky. Life somehow gave them chanches denied to others. People who claim to be progressive but who sneer at others need to get a little humility.

Not everyone grew up reading books. How many Americans are in fact illiterate? Of those who can read, how many have been led to think that reading serious stuff might make a difference in their lives? How many Americans think that they matter?

A great deal of human activity is unnecessary and damaging. This project is sane and useful. Thanks to all concerned!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Talk about... Posted by: Astroboy
» RE: US has 99% literacy rate Posted by: Ydotheyhateus
» Literacy rate isn't enough Posted by: Joshua Holland

Comments are closed-

Distribution is Key
Posted by: patsy6 on Jan 26, 2008 6:28 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Wide distribution is of this noble project is essential. DVDs, web availability and theatrical productions should definitely be a part of this, but it needs to be presented, uncut, on network or public television as well, in order to have a better shot at reaching the 37 million Americans who currently live below the poverty line. It reminds me of Woody Guthrie's reasoning for writing the song "Tom Joad," a summary of the Steinbeck novel, "The Grapes of Wrath." Guthrie said he wrote and sang "Tom Joad" to bring the story of the Joads and the dust bowl to the people portrayed in the book, many of whom could not read and could not afford the price of admission to see the movie version of "The Grapes of Wrath."

I'd love to see Mr. Zinn's production in full on public television.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

This is fantastic - let every American view this, every one of all ages, all backrounds.
Posted by: greentime on Jan 26, 2008 7:00 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This is our written history and now our visual and oral history, let it bring the truth to every heart. It is our story but is also the truth world wide. Thanks to all who love Howard Zinn and to those who are making this project a reality. I have bought and given more of Zinn's People's History than I can count and I urge everyone to do the same.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

Light in This Age of Darkness
Posted by: Astroboy on Jan 26, 2008 8:43 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Think of Zinn's collaborative work, and that of many others (Naomi Klein, Wolf, Russo, etc.) as the being of The Revolution.

The people are rustling their chains.

It's time is NOW, and we the people shall rise to the fight and overcome.

I pray.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» Dark Ages Posted by: gellero

Comments are closed-

Wonderful news for America and for the World!
Posted by: Don Pablo on Jan 26, 2008 10:59 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This is wonderful news, not only for America, but for the world. I would recommend the producers to have translations made from the very beginning, and arrange for global distribution. I read Mr Zinn’s A People’s history and I am convinced that this should be obligatory reading for all high school and university students all over the world. Not as a reminder how bad the US has behaved, after all th story started with the Spanish, British, Dutch, etc. The lesson should be that we can learn lessons and change the proceedings of the people we elected in office.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

MSM channels will censor and edit this; get it online!
Posted by: JLPearson on Jan 26, 2008 11:11 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
For the same reasons the major TV networks tried to alter Zinn's work to fit their idea of programming, they won't broadcast it as it is. So let copies be given to all schools, to all libraries, to all groups working, as Dr. King once said, "to save the soul of America." And since so many young people are more receptive to videos than books, to allow a majority of them to see this presentation, perhaps to be inspired to read or reread the book, it should be streamed online, be available as downloads, and for purchase as a DVD.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

I am so jazzed to watch this!
Posted by: BlueBerry PickN on Jan 26, 2008 1:15 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
thank you!

I'd not heard of this project &

... I find its always regrettable if I miss a Zinn project

as Zinn's Voice speaks so clearly through issues & thoughts that are so consequential to social & personal living...

~~
Spread Love...

BlueBerry Pick'n
can be found @
"ThisCanadian
~~~
"We, two, form a Multitude" ~ Ovid.
~~~
"Silent Freedom is Freedom Silenced"

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

I was a Zinn novice
Posted by: jackyD on Jan 26, 2008 7:28 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
until I read A People's History of the United States. I'm as excited about this project as the rest of you. Can't wait to get my hands on this. Hopefully this will one day be an inspiration to my grandchildren.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

A Valuable Enterprise
Posted by: tsmith101 on Jan 28, 2008 3:25 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Howard Zinn's work has been seminal in my interest in history, politics, and activism, and this project will very likely make his valuable research and work available and relevant to young people. As an activist, American, and genuinely compassionate human being, Mr. Zinn is an inspiration to us all. As a historian, however, Zinn's work is undeniably tinged by his ideology, which simply happens to be one with which I agree. I wonder how the readers of this article would react to a hyped, star studded production of, say, Henry Kissinger's version of the history of Diplomacy?

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

LETS GO BACK TO THE BEGINNING AND TRY TO SEE HOW THIS HAPPENED.
Posted by: Raymond Emerson on Feb 1, 2008 11:03 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Howard Zinn started life in the shipyards. If there had been no G.I. Bill, Howard, most likely, could not have gone to school. When he did he became a different man than those college students that went to party. George Bush was a frat rat and a cheer leader. He still is.

Harry Truman farmed for 11 years before he went to the First Great War. You can't have a man of the people unless he came from the right beginnings. We must go back to educating each and everyone that wants it and will try. Howard saw and still sees the world through the eyes that he took to school with him. He simply knows things that other scholars don't.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]


Comments are closed-

Can Someone Please Buy Us a Network?
Posted by: Tim Brown on Feb 19, 2008 5:46 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Zinn's work and many others like it need to be seen by that huge swath of citizens who are never given this kind of information. Alas, we have no counterpoint to FOX News...

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

 
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