DAVID BIANCULLI

Founder / Editor

ERIC GOULD

Associate Editor

LINDA DONOVAN

Assistant Editor

Contributors

ALEX STRACHAN

MIKE HUGHES

KIM AKASS

MONIQUE NAZARETH

ROGER CATLIN

GARY EDGERTON

TOM BRINKMOELLER

GERALD JORDAN

NOEL HOLSTON

 
 
 
 
 
For Whom the Bell Tolls: Ken Burns and Lynn Novick Take on Ernest Hemingway, the Man and the Myth
March 29, 2021  | By Alex Strachan  | 2166 comments
 


The sun also sets on literary reputations, especially when a famous writer's flamboyant lifestyle and personal peccadilloes threaten to overwhelm the work for which he became famous.

If Ernest Hemingway had few critics at the time he was forging his literary reputation as an author of distinction – many of whose works are considered classics of American literature – he's certainly made up for that since. History has tarnished the Hemingway legend to the extent that it's hard today not to view Hemingway the man as a relic of a past age, as the Guardian writer and editor Martin Pengelly put it, "Too white, too male, too privileged."

Hemingway, Ken Burns and Lynn Novick's three-night, six-hour documentary profile that strives to remind viewers both of the greatness of Hemingway's work and his shortcomings as a public figure and role model to an entire generation of would-be writers must have seemed a daunting challenge.

"There's a really short distance between terrifying and exhilarating," Burns said during a recent press event. "That's where you have to live."

Burns and Novick have never shied away from opposing points-of-view and all-too-human emotions in their earlier film collaborations, from BaseballJazz, and Frank Lloyd Wright to Prohibition and The Vietnam War. Far from seeing the apparent dichotomy as daunting, Burns saw it as more opportunity than challenge.

One cannot exist without the other, Burns insists.

"We were drawn to trying to get at a real Hemingway," he said. "I think the persona of the wild man, the drunk, the bar guy, the big-game hunter, the big-sea fisherman is what we inherit, the baggage we carry.

"But almost immediately, we began to see how thin and frail that persona was, not just for him but in fact. I don't think Hemingway would have survived if that's all he was — this barroom guy. He had the discipline to write every single day, but he also had all these other things competing under the surface . . . There's really one fundamental question in all this: what works, period. Does it work? Period."

Novick concurred.

"The public persona became a burden for him," she said. "It becomes exhausting, as someone says in the film, to be Hemingway after a while.

"It was wonderful for us to discover him young before he became this stereotype, this icon, when he was a young man at the beginning of his career . . . the kind of energy and discipline he had that he tried to carry through to his later years, and how difficult it became as he got older, trying to live up to the image he created for himself, and the tragedy that followed."

Novick pointed out the Hemingway project was decades in the making, and not just the relatively short window between Burns' last project and this one.

"That often happens," Novick said. "The gestation period of these projects can be very long, depending on what other projects we're working on at the time.

"The first interview we filmed was Patrick Hemingway, his son, who is still alive. He's 90. He was in his mid-80s when we did the interview in 2014. We were working on our Vietnam series, but we felt that if we were going to do Hemingway we'd better hurry up and film Patrick while he was ready, willing, and able to be filmed.

"So, it does take a long time. But it gave us time to read and reread, if we hadn't already, everything we could get our hands-on, by Hemingway and about Hemingway. We did a deep dive long before we started production."

As with so many of Burns' expansive, big-picture biographical essays, Hemingway is at heart a personal story about life in all its complexity, with all ambiguities and contradictions, good and bad, with all the beauty and ugliness intact.

"This is a man whose life ends very tragically by his own hand," Burns explained. "People have expounded on that in all sorts of different ways: the genetics, the madness that existed in his family; his own father's suicide, the ideation that that produced in him.

"One of the things we discuss, that's new, are these traumatic brain injuries he suffered throughout his life. Serious things that we know now cause the kinds of frailties, the alcoholism, and the drug addiction that can add to madness and mania that he clearly had. I think that helps reverse this sense that we know who he was — this conventional wisdom about Hemingway.

"We're not going to be bold enough to say that this is the one thing that did it, that pulled the trigger, literally and figuratively. It's a whole, complex set of factors.

"It's incumbent on us, particularly in a media culture that wishes everything to be binary, good or bad, to understand that nothing in life is either good or bad. We all exist in this complicated gray area.

"In many ways this is the most adult film I've made, to learn how complicated it is to be able to tolerate contradiction, to understand that he could be one thing and the opposite of that thing at the same time."

Hemingway premieres Monday, April 5 through April 7 on PBS at 8 ET (check local listings).

 
 
 
 
 
Leave a Comment: (No HTML, 1000 chars max)
 
 Name (required)
 
 Email (required) (will not be published)
 
JJFKL
Type in the verification word shown on the image.
 
 
 Page: 1 of 109  | Go to page: 
2166 Comments
 
 
I want to share a special testimonial about a supplement that has made a difference in many people’s lives: Mitolyn. In this video, I’ll explain everything you need to know about it. Let’s dive into how it works, its benefits, and whether it’s truly worth it! Plus, I’ll show you where to buy the product safely, ensuring its authenticity and offering you a special guarantee.
Jan 21, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Manufactured in the USA with high-quality, non-GMO ingredients, Mitolyn is designed to be an integral part of a healthy lifestyle. The supplement comes in easy-to-swallow capsules, making it accessible to a wide range of users. It is not just aimed at those looking to lose weight; Mitolyn also targets individuals seeking to improve their energy levels, enhance physical performance, and boost overall well-being. With a money-back guarantee, users can try Mitolyn risk-free, allowing them to experience its benefits without financial concerns.
Jan 21, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
The Purple Peel Exploit is a breakthrough method designed to address some of the most common health struggles – obesity and overweight – by targeting the root cause: mitochondrial health.
Jan 21, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
NAGANO Lean Body Tonic is the only natural weight loss supplement on the market that really addresses the root cause of your belly fat. This natural supplement, which contains powerful antioxidants, will deflate your body day by day and increase your calorie burning rate, turning your body into a fat melting machine. Inside each scoop of Nagano Tonic you will find a blend of 9 exotic nutrients that will provide a powerful, life-changing elixir Promoting a big jump in calorie burning, fat burning and energy levels.
Jan 21, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
It is an organic product that Reduces Pain & Chronic Aches, Relieves Anxiety & Stress, Enhances Focus & Clarity and Promotes Healthy Sleep ?in a 100% natural way.
Jan 21, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
ProDentim supplement is an all-natural nutritional supplement that improves oral health and prevents teeth and gums from various infections and diseases. ProDentim supplement works by improving the balance of good and bad bacteria in the mouth; it increases the proportion of probiotics that are beneficial to health. It also balances the pH inside the mouth and prevents tooth decay and rot.
Jan 21, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Football opens betting on every match on UFABET, the main website, online football betting website.
Jan 20, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Great post. Call us now for reliable car recovery in Sunderland.
Jan 19, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
I never have to guess my grades thanks to this grade calculator.
Jan 19, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Percayakan pengalaman togel online Anda pada toposvita.com! ?? Dengan reputasi sebagai situs terpercaya No.1 di Indonesia, kami menjamin keamanan dan kenyamanan bermain. Gabung sekarang!
Jan 19, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Jan 18, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Jan 18, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Ken Burns and Lynn Novick's documentary on Ernest Hemingway is a fascinating exploration of both the man and the myth. Their approach to storytelling brings Hemingway's complex legacy to life in a way that’s both insightful and engaging. For precision in everyday tasks, check out oštrenje noževa for expert knife sharpening services.
Jan 18, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
The way Ken Burns and Lynn Novick examine Hemingway’s life offers a deep dive into his personality and literary contributions. It's a must-watch for anyone interested in understanding the full scope of his impact. On a different note, if you're in Banja Luka, visit oštrenje noževa Banja Luka for reliable and professional sharpening services.
Jan 18, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
ProDentim, a dietary supplement, is specifically formulated to provide support for oral health and offers relief from a range of dental conditions. This supplement achieves its objectives through the inclusion of 3.5 billion strains of probiotics as its primary active ingredient.
Jan 18, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
The product is particularly appealing to those looking for a natural alternative to weight loss drugs or restricted diets. Many users have turned to Mitolyn to kickstart their metabolism and experience sustainable weight loss. It is manufactured in the USA, adhering to strict quality control standards, ensuring that every ingredient is carefully selected and effectively dosed.
Jan 18, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Impressive insights in this post! I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and learned a lot. Keep up the great work!
Jan 17, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
The Lean Biome is a daily ritual I use to cleanse and balance my body and mind. It is a simple and effective way to help me stay healthy, happy and balanced.
Jan 17, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Nerve Fresh is a natural supplement formulated to relieve symptoms of neuropathy—helping to ease nerve pain and discomfort. Developed by top scientists and neurologists, Nerve Fresh works by targeting specific enzymes, like COX-2, PGE-2, and MMP-13, which are linked to neuropathy symptoms. By blocking these enzymes, Nerve Fresh reduces inflammation, soothes pain, and supports healthier nerve connections.
Jan 17, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
Take Nagano Tonic with a big glass of water every day. Its bespoke proprietary complexes are a blend of natural ingredients that will get to work detoxifying and optimizing your body so that you can start dissolving fat around the clock, even when sleeping.
Jan 17, 2025   |  Reply
 
 
 
 Page: 1 of 109  | Go to page: