Trailer watch: Mike Wallace is Here
Did Mike Wallace become the blueprint for modern journalism?
The life and career of one of America's most celebrated journalists is the subject of an upcoming documentary titled Mike Wallace Is Here. Wallace, who over a seven-decade career solidified himself as one of the most important journalists of our time, won an incredible 21 Emmys for his work- most notably for CBS' 60 Minutes. The new documentary journals his rise to become of the most confronting, aggressive, but effective reporters, having interviewed a who's who of politicians, celebrities, and noted figures. Over his career, he's had pointed sit downs and talks with everyone from Ayn Rand to Deng Xiaoping, from Barbara Streisand to Frank Lloyd Wright.
In one of his more famous interviews, he sat down with General William Westmoreland for a special piece titled, The Uncounted Enemy: A Vietnam Deception. The CBS documentary purported that General Westmoreland and intelligence officers manipulated enemy troop numbers in Vietnam to create the impression that the war was being won. General Westmoreland sued Wallace and CBS in a $120 million suit.
Wallace retired from his position as 60 Minutes correspondent in 2006 after a lengthy 37-year career. He passed away in 2012 at the age of 93.
Mike Wallace is Here is a documentary by Avi Belkin that features extensive footage from Wallace's illustrious career, detailing in depth his work and influence. In the official blurb, the documentary is;
"an unflinching look at the legendary reporter, who interrogated the 20th century’s biggest figures in his over fifty years on air, and his aggressive reporting style and showmanship that redefined what America came to expect from broadcasters. Unearthing decades of never-before-seen footage from the 60 Minutes vault, the film explores what drove and plagued Wallace, whose storied career was entwined with the evolution of journalism itself."
In an interview with The Washington Post, director Avi Belkin talked about the influence and lasting legacy of Mike Wallace. Belkin stated that Wallace became the blueprint for today's style of news reporting- unshackled and unbound;
"In a way, he made the blueprint of what journalism is today. Mike was, in a way, a revolution. The charisma, the performance — he brought them into the game."
We find ourselves in a tumultuous time in news journalism and reporting. But what we can glimpse from Mike Wallace is Here is that we have seen this before. History repeats itself yet we've found ways to overcome. It is perhaps, one of the many reasons why this documentary seems so timely and fascinating.
The film opens in select theatres July 26th. Check out the trailer above.