American: An Odyssey to 1947, Danny Wu’s documentary on Orson Welles and the changing face of U.S. politics in the 1930s and ’40s, will have a special screening next month at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum in Independence, Missouri.
“It’s a great honor and something I never imagine could’ve happened,” Wu told Wellesnet. “It’s an event I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”
Wu’s acclaimed documentary begins with the promise of FDR’s progressive New Deal in the early 1930s and concludes with the chill of the Hollywood Blacklist of the late ’40s. American features a collection of stories, including Welles’ crusade in 1946 to bring to justice the South Carolina police officer who blinded Black serviceman Isaac Woodard. The publicity that the Welles broadcasts stirred prompted the Truman administration to launch an investigation, which led to Police Chief Lynwood Shull and several officers being indicted. The all-white jury acquitted Shull after brief deliberations.
The September 26 event will include a reception, screening of the documentary and conversation with Wu and executive producer Laura Williams, who is the niece of Woodard. Williams has penned a children’s book to teach others about an untold story in history entitled I am Sergeant Isaac Woodard: How My Story Changed America. The book will be available for sale and book signing.
“I’m especially excited for Laura Williams and her family, given their connection with the Truman legacy, how the Woodard case led to the modern civil rights movement,” Wu said.
It is believed the Woodard case had an impact on Truman, who made a historic speech to the NAACP in 1947 and a year later desegregated the U.S. military and submitted a civil rights plan to Congress.
Tickets for the event at the Truman Library are free, but reservations should be made online at eventbrite.com/e/film-screening-and-qa-american-an-odyssey-to-1947-tickets-1002163226187
American, which had its premiere at the Newport Beach Film Festival in October 2022, played festivals in the U.S. and Europe in 2023, and later streamed on Amazon’s Prime Video and Tubi.
The deluxe edition home video released earlier this year boasts the feature film, deleted scenes, a making-of documentary and a postcard size poster. The DVD is priced at $15 and the Blu-ray at $18. Both are region-free and can be ordered online at mapleroadpictures.myshopify.com.
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