Tell Them Who You Are (2004)

The son of acclaimed cinematographer Haskell Wexler confronts his complex father by turning the camera on him. What results is a portrait of a difficult genius and a son's path out of the shadow of a famous father.

Director:

Mark Wexler (as Mark S. Wexler)

Writers:

Robert DeMaio, Mark Wexler (as Mark S. Wexler)

Stars:

Haskell Wexler, Mark Wexler, Billy Crystal

Cast

Credited cast:
Peter Bart	...	Himself
Verna Bloom	...	Herself
Billy Crystal	...	Himself
Michael Douglas	...	Himself
Jane Fonda	...	Herself
Milos Forman	...	Himself
Troy Garity	...	Himself
Ronnie Gilbert	...	Herself
Conrad L. Hall	...	Himself
Conrad W. Hall	...	Himself
Tom Hayden	...	Himself
Dennis Hopper	...	Himself
Ron Howard	...	Himself
Norman Jewison	...	Himself
Elia Kazan	...	Himself (archive footage)

Storyline

Mark Wexler's cinematic blend of biography and autobiography centers on his relationship with his father, legendary Oscar-winning cinematographer and filmmaker Haskell Wexler, whose long and illustrious career is a virtual catalogue of 20th-century classics. Haskell's collaborations with such world-class filmmakers as Elia Kazan, Milos Forman, George Lucas, Francis Ford Coppola and Mike Nichols include such works as WHO'S AFRAID OF VIRGINIA WOOLF?, AMERICAN GRAFFITI, COMING HOME, BOUND FOR GLORY and ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO'S NEST. The film features interviews with many of these artists, along with such luminaries as Jane Fonda, Michael Douglas and Sidney Poitier. But the true "star" of TELL THEM WHO YOU ARE is Haskell himself, a controversial, larger-than-life character who challenges his son's filmmaking skills while announcing with complete conviction that he could have done a better job directing most of the movies he's shot. As these two men swap positions on camera and behind it...

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Plot Keywords:

cinematographer | cinematography | world war two | semi autobiographical | political differences | 

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Genres:

Documentary | Biography

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and some sexual images

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

2 June 2006 (UK)

Also Known As:

My Cinematographer

Filming Locations:

Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,060, 15 May 2005

Gross USA:

$39,075

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$46,741

Company Credits

Production Co:

Wexler's World

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Features American Graffiti (1973)

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Soundtracks

Goodnight Irene
Words and Music by Leadbelly (as Huddie Ledbetter) and John A. Lomax
Courtesy of TRO - Ludlow Music, Inc.
Performed by The Weavers
Licensed from and used by permission of Vanguard Records, a Welk music Group Company
(p) Vanguard Records, a Welk Music Group Company

User Reviews

a must for those who love their fathers & who love film

Honest, true, & brave.

A remarkable account of a son trying to understand the essence & complexity of his famous cinematographer father, Haskell Wexler. The doc is full of humor, insight, and love, and is charged with real emotion, thanks to the incredible Papa Wexler, the central character.

I expected a typical Hollywood tribute film, and it is that to some extent. But it rapidly becomes so much more. Surprisingly, the filmmaker Mark Wexler makes his localized Hollywood experience universally applicable to all sons and all fathers. What could have been a dismissable fluff piece is transformed into a rich analysis of the dynamics of fathers and sons. Haskell should be proud; he's obviously taught his son well. I thank both father and son for this film.