Honoring The Legends of Documentary Filmmaking
Written by Jacob Appet
The DOC NYC Visionaries Tribute, held in Chelsea’s elegant Park Restaurant, joyfully paid tribute to both the pioneers of modern documentary cinema and the vital filmmakers whom they continue to inspire.
The afternoon was kicked off by executive director Raphaela Neihausen, who noted her delight at seeing so many familiar faces in attendance. She charmingly introduced her husband Thom Powers, creative director of the festival, as both her “partner in DOC NYC and in raising a child.”
“Welcome to Al Maysles’ Bar Mitzvah,” Powers joked as he approached the podium. He went on to introduce the Robert Drew award for a mid-career filmmaker that upholds the values of observational documentary filmmaking. He welcomed Robert’s daughter Jill to the stage, who reflected upon the way her father pursued the kind of truth that “you can only get from personal experience”.
The award, offered to Laura Poitras, was presented by filmmaker James Marsh, who lauded Poitras’ ability to capture historical moments in an intimate way.
Although Laura could not be present, she prepared remarks in which she paid tribute to her esteemed colleagues in attendance, particularly those of Drew Associates. She cheekily made note of these influential documentarians’ one “mistake”—not documenting the historical making of their seminal early films.
Next awarded was the Leading Light award, for prominent industry members, which was presented by Rory Kennedy to recipient Dan Cogan of Impact Partners. Dan poignantly described the way that the Maysles’ SALESMAN, the first verité he ever saw, hit him like “lightning”.
Lifetime Achievement Awards were rewarded to Albert Maysles, Chris Hegedus, and DA Pennebaker.
Barbara Kopple, presenting to Albert Maysles, shared that one of her first industry jobs was on the Maysles’ iconic GIMME SHELTER as a “human tripod.” She spoke to his ability to present stories from his heart and without judgment, comparing his camera work to a cinematic hug.
Maysles, in accepting the award, praised documentary’s ability to “give us knowledge of our neighbors, by which we can love our neighbors.”
Michael Moore next came to the podium to present the additional lifetime achievement award to D.A. Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus. He argued that the afternoon’s lifetime achievement recipients are to thank for the modern thriving state of documentary cinema, comparing their impact to the Beatles on pop music.
Chris Hegedus began her remarks by jesting that the fact their editing room fights with DA never led to divorce is a true testament to their marriage. She went on to describe the Maysles and Pennebaker as her original inspirations.
D.A. Pennebaker then heart-warmingly recounted the first time that Chris walked into his camera shop. He sensed she knew something about making films that he “did not yet know.”
He went on to wryly describe how he felt like a grandfather at a huge Thanksgiving dinner, sharing the holiday with many relatives and descendants. The sentiment perfectly captured the warm, communal and festive atmosphere of the reception.
Click here to see more photos from the Visionaries Tribute. For more about the DOC NYC Visionaries Tribute, visit the the DOC NYC website.
Jacob Appet is a writer and filmmaker based in New York City. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram @jacobappet
