VIDEO: Remembering Legendary Filmmaker and Activist Haskell Wexler
In this video, "Democracy Now!" pays tribute to the Oscar-winning cinematographer, director and activist, who died Sunday at the age of 93.In this video, “Democracy Now!” pays tribute to the Oscar-winning cinematographer, director and activist, Haskell Wexler, who died Sunday at the age of 93.
Wexler is perhaps best known for his 1969 film, “Medium Cool,” which captures the upheaval surrounding the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. He won Academy Awards for cinematography in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” and in “Bound for Glory,” about folk singer Woody Guthrie. His documentaries tackled political issues including the Southern Freedom Riders of the 1960s, the U.S. government’s destabilization of Nicaragua, U.S. atrocities in Vietnam, and torture under the U.S.-backed junta in Brazil. We remember Haskell Wexler with Pamela Yates, director of “Rebel Citizen,” a documentary about his life.
Wait, before you go…If you're reading this, you probably already know that non-profit, independent journalism is under threat worldwide. Independent news sites are overshadowed by larger heavily funded mainstream media that inundate us with hype and noise that barely scratch the surface. We believe that our readers deserve to know the full story. Truthdig writers bravely dig beneath the headlines to give you thought-provoking, investigative reporting and analysis that tells you what’s really happening and who’s rolling up their sleeves to do something about it.
Like you, we believe a well-informed public that doesn’t have blind faith in the status quo can help change the world. Your contribution of as little as $5 monthly or $35 annually will make you a groundbreaking member and lays the foundation of our work.
Support Truthdig