From the time of its birth, the baby boomer generation (1946-1964) has significantly and uniquely changed our world. 2014 marks an important shift in American culture, as the last boomers turn 50. American Masters: The Boomer List, premiering nationwide tonight, September 23, 9-10:30 p.m. on PBS (check local listings), tells the story of this influential generation through the lives of 19 iconic boomers-one born each year of the baby boom-including New Age guru Deepak Chopra (b. 1947), singer-songwriter Billy Joel (b. 1949), fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger (b. 1951), author Amy Tan (b. 1952), actor Kim Cattrall (b. 1956), environmentalist Erin Brockovich (b. 1960) and artist David LaChapelle (b. 1963).
Intimate interviews by filmmaker/photographer
Timothy Greenfield-Sanders (The Black List, The Latino List, The Out List) focus on these individuals' exceptional achievements, struggles and identities, sharing the experiences of these extraordinary Americans and the history they lived through and often created. Subjects illuminate the key movements and changes that shaped the world during the baby boom years, discussing the environment; arts and entertainment; science; civil, LGBT and women's rights; law; politics; public service; sports; the military; technology and media.
"When I learned about this year's boomer milestone, I came up with the idea for The Boomer List," says Greenfield-Sanders, whose past films include About Face: Supermodels Then and Now and
American Masters -
Lou Reed: Rock and Roll Heart. "The film captures the boomer generation's dynamic spirit through 19 distinct 'American Masters' who had a profound effect on our world."
"The Boomer List is a celebration of this generation's impact on American culture. It is impossible to encapsulate in just a few words, but thanks to the talent both on camera and behind the lens, this remarkable film offers an incredible chorus of voices that somehow captures the zeitgeist of this era," says Michael Kantor, executive producer of American Masters.
Watch the trailer below:
A DVD will be released via Perfect Day Films, and Greenfield-Sanders' 19 large-scale master portraits of the film's subjects will be featured in a companion coffee table book (Luxury Press), both available October 1. His portraits will also be part of an exhibition at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. "The Boomer List: Photographs by Timothy Greenfield-Sanders" opens September 26, 2014, and will be on display through June 30, 2015.
Launched in 1986 by series creator Susan Lacy,
American Masters has earned 26 Emmy Awards -- including nine for Outstanding Non-Fiction Series since 1999 and five for Outstanding Non-Fiction Special -- 12 Peabodys, an Oscar, three Grammys, two Producers Guild Awards and many other honors. Now in its 28th season on PBS, the series is a production of THIRTEEN PRODUCTIONS LLC for WNET. WNET is the parent company of THIRTEEN and WLIW21, New York's public television stations, and operator of NJTV. For more than 50 years, THIRTEEN has been a partner with the tri-state community, using its rich resources to inform and inspire the passionate people of New York and the world to better understand and address the issues that challenge our diverse communities.
To take
American Masters beyond the television broadcast and further explore the themes, stories and personalities of masters past and present, the companion website (http://pbs.org/americanmasters) offers streaming video of select films, interviews, photos, outtakes, essays and other resources.
American Masters is also seen on the WORLD channel, a 24/7, full-service multicast channel featuring public television's signature nonfiction documentary,
Science and news programming, broadcast in nearly two-thirds of the United States.
The Boomer List is a Perfect Day Films production.
Timothy Greenfield-Sanders is director. Music by
Neal Evans. Charlie Watt Smith is editor. Graham Willoughby is director of photography. Betsy Berg, Ingrid Duran, Catherine Pino and Michael Slap Sloane are executive producers.
Timothy Greenfield-Sanders,
Tommy Walker and Chad Thompson are producers. For American Masters: Junko Tsunashima is supervising producer, Julie Sacks is series producer and Susan Lacy and Michael Kantor are executive producers.
