William Greaves: Filmmaking as Mission

William Greaves is a highly influential American filmmaker of the past century, known for his experimental film Symbiopsychotaxiplasm: Take One. He produced, directed, shot, and edited over a hundred films on social issues and African American figures. This volume provides a comprehensive overview of his career, including essays, writings, interviews, and a critical dossier on Symbiopsychotaxiplasm. It highlights his mission to use filmmaking to transform African American perceptions and self-image.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 496 pages
Publication date: 01 June 2021
Publisher: Columbia University Press

William Greaves, a prominent and influential American filmmaker of the past century, is celebrated for his groundbreaking experimental film, Symbiopsychotaxiplasm: Take One. As an independent documentary filmmaker, Greaves created, directed, shot, and edited over a hundred films, covering a diverse range of social issues and notable African American figures, from Muhammad Ali to Ralph Bunche to Ida B. Wells. Beyond his filmmaking prowess, Greaves showcased his multi-talented artistry as a songwriter, a member of the Actors Studio, and, during the late 1960s, as a producer and co-host of Black Journal, the pioneering national television show dedicated to African American culture and politics.

This comprehensive volume offers the first in-depth exploration of Greaves' remarkable career. It encompasses a diverse array of materials, including insightful essays from critics and scholars, Greaves' own writings, an extensive meta-interview with him, conversations with his wife and collaborator Louise Archambault Greaves and his son David, and a critical dossier on Symbiopsychotaxiplasm. Together, these elements shed light on Greaves' unwavering mission to utilize filmmaking as a powerful tool for reshaping perceptions of African Americans by others and their self-perception. This landmark book serves as an indispensable resource on Greaves' work and his profound impact on independent cinema and African-American culture.

Weight: 740g
Dimension: 156 x 234 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780231199599