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Starring: Verna Bloom,  Jane Fonda,  Julia Roberts,  Studs Terkel,  Jonathan Winters, 
Directed By:
Rated: R (Restricted)
Release Date: 2004
Studio: Velocity Home Entertainment
Format: Color,  DVD-Video,  NTSC, 

Editorial Reviews and DVD Information about Tell Them Who You Are

Description
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 - sometimes shooting one another simultaneously - the film looks with honesty and compassion at their attempts to reconcile before it's too late.

Amazon.com
Haskell Wexler was one of the most important cinematographers of the '60s and '70s who continued to work into the new century (in his eighties, no less). Besides earning two Oscars, he directed Medium Cool, a landmark, uneasy mix of fiction and documentary, and was a visible liberal activist. He also looks to be a pain in the butt. That aspect is brought into focus with his son's Mark's curious, self-therapeutic documentary. Both a biography of the genius with the camera, and a warts-and-all portrait of his father, the film, narrated by Mark, is a cinematic way to deal with a challenging upbringing. The senior Wexler has not lost any of his vitality or gruffness--he openly challenges his son about setting up a scene or the importance of catching a sunset. Talk about reality TV! There are several famous faces interviewed about the craft of filmmaking, but the most interesting comments come from those who know very well about dealing with famous fathers (including Jane Fonda and Michael Douglas). Equal time is given for Wexler's greatest achievements (including Bound for Glory, and American Graffiti) as well as his failures (he was fired from One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest). It's not the easiest film to watch, but filled with honest, raw emotion including how this grand cinematographer deals with his colorblindness. Genius may love company, but sympathy may be hard to find for a cameraman who states there's "never been a movie I thought I could direct it better" and a son who finds such a public way of dealing with his own demons. --Doug Thomas

Customer Reviews for Tell Them Who You Are

Tell Tehm Who You Are
Thank you, I received it very quickly and enjoyed receiving it. I collect Julia Robert Movies.Tell Them Who You Are

Son seeks father's blessing
A son finds a way to form a relationship with his Dad - appeal to his vanity by making a movie about him and visit Julia Roberts together. Through the kindnesses of those interviewed we get to humanize our fathers from an Image to an ordinary man living in a time with less consciousness. More optimistic than My Architect and has left me feeling lighter about my own father.Tell Them Who You Are

Fathers and Sons
"Tell Them Who You Are" is an amazing film. I rented the DVD thinking that I might like it because I am a fan of "Cuckoo's Nest", "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?", "Days of Heaven", and other movies photographed by Haskell Wexler. I ended up loving the movie because of the courageous journey Wexler's son (this film's director) embarks on--he uses the documentary as a means to break through his father's macho, gruff, prickly emotional armor. The director flatters his father's considerable ego by making him the subject of this documentary, but Haskel has no idea what he's agreed to. He parades his cocky, opinionated, arrogant self in front of his son's lens and is revealed as the insecure man he truly is. However, the director does not gratuitously exploit this fact. Rather, he continues to observe his father--the son is both cruel and kind. As he "exposes" his father, he also frees him from the emotional cage he has erected about himself (his legendary status in the film industry, for instance). The film is, finally, both a work of art and an act of love. I was moved by "Tell Them Who You Are." (Let me also recommend that you watch the special feature that shows Haskel Wexler's reaction once he has seen the film--it's an incredible thing to watch.)Tell Them Who You Are

MOVING
I had no idea who Haskell Wexler was before I started watching this highly entertaining and well made documentary. One is quickly informed about the movies he was DOP for, and what numerous actors, directors and producers think of him. Not all favourable by the way. The gist of the movie is the relationship between son Mark (who made the movie) and father Haskell. They are entirely different people with Mark being more conservative to the outspoken and liberal Haskell. But herein lies the universality of the movie - even though we would sometimes deny it, we all strive for the approval and acknowledgement of our parents. You havent finished the experience of "Tell Them Who You Are" until you have watched Haskell's reaction to the movie in the EXTRAS of the DVD. Very moving!Tell Them Who You Are

Therapy through film making - ought to have ANYONE exploring their own family dynamics
This is a curious and oddly entertaining little film. The son of a troubled but talented director makes a movie about his realtionship with his father, in the process exploring his father's life and work while also focusing on family dynamics. Should he have done such a public expose'? See what you think.

If you're looking for soap opera, this film really doesn't stoop to that level. It can be painful to watch at times but I always got the sense that Mark Wexler always strove for the truth (as best he could) in his father's life and the reasons for their confrontations.

I came away from this one thinking of how families affect each other - for better or worse- and how the son of someone famous may have a special cross to bear...since genius can come with its own set of idiosyncracies, not all of them pleasant. Fascinating!

Tell Them Who You Are

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