How to Come Alive with Norman Mailer

Duration

1 x 102' HD

Producer/Director

Jeff Zimbalist - Director

SYNOPSIS

HOW TO COME ALIVE with Norman Mailer explores the rollercoaster life of America’s most controversial and bestselling author of the 20th Century, Norman Mailer. Propelled by his tremendous ego and contrarian spirit, Mailer’s ceaseless visibility in the public eye lasted 6 decades, during which he had 6 tumultuous marriages, 9 beloved children, 11 bestsellers, 3 arrests, and 2 Pulitzer Prizes. Prophet, hedonist, violent criminal, literary outlaw, and social provocateur, Mailer’s ideas about love, anger, fear, and courage cut to the core of human nature, are more relevant than ever today, and point to a prescription for shaking free of society’s expectations, and coming alive as a people.

Jeff Zimbalist - Director

To me, Norman Mailer represents an era when public intellectuals challenged society through provocative ideas and fearless debate. At a time of increasing polarization and conformity, I believe his commitment to independent thought is more relevant than ever. Yet I never wanted to celebrate an unblemished hero. My film confronts Mailer’s ego, contradictions and personal failings alongside his extraordinary intellectual courage. Rather than catalogue his achievements and scandals, I wanted to explore society’s complicated relationship with challenging ideas, ultimately embracing Mailer’s belief that we must discover what makes us truly come alive and pursue it without fear.

Ratings & Reviews

Rotten Tomatoes ★★★★★

100% Fresh

New York Times ★★★★★

Ingenious

Variety ★★★★★

Remarkable

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