Matt Damon has been trying to get the documentary “The People Speak” onto the small screen for 10 years and through multiple networks.

This year, it will finally air on the History Channel, which Damon says is “the right channel for us.”

“The People Speak,” a film inspired by Howard Zinn’s 2004 book of the same name and his popular “A People’s History of the United States,” features dramatic readings of historical documents such as letters and diaries by celebrities like Damon, Marisa Tomei, Josh Brolin, Viggo Mortensen, Kerry Washington and many more.

The film will air later this year.

Its purpose is to explore the concept of democracy, through the lives, experiences and words of ordinary Americans who changed the course of history.

The film will also feature musical performances by Bruce Springsteen, Eddie Vedder and John Legend, among others.

“I grew up next door to Howard [Zinn] and had one of the first copies of [’A People’s History’]. It had a huge impact on my life and that’s why I stayed involved with the project for so long,” Damon, who also executive-produced the film, told members of the Television Critics Association yesterday.

The project morphed in form as both Fox and HBO mulled it over, before it landed at History, “and its third incarnation is the most sensible way of doing it because it’s using the actual words [of historical figures], which makes it so much more powerful,” said Damon. “Everything that’s being read has quotations around it.”

Tomei says that during the actual stage readings, which were recorded for the film, audiences rose to their feet by the end because they were so moved by what was being said.

“There’s this heart swell,” she said. “People feel empowered. It’s ordinary people getting activated. Sometimes in protests and things that I’ve been involved with on any level, after a while it’s like, ‘I’m tired of this. Isn’t this battle over?’ But what this film is talking about is that it’s our right and our duty to engage, as Howard says, in an antagonistic discussion with the powers that be.”

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Found a trailer for The People Speak on YouTube. Looks like it will be an amazing film.

I received a notice from the folks over at Pacific Street Films that Beyond Wiseguys: Italian Americans & the Movies will be airing tonight on WNET in New York at 10:00 p.m. I would love for someone who watches this to respond and let all of us who don’t live in the New York area know about Marisa’s part.

I’ve also added the second contest entry I received to the gallery. Nick made some great art so be sure to check it out.

Gallery link

source: variety

Edward Noeltner’s Cinema Management Group has picked up global rights to “Let the People Speak,” a star-studded examination of America’s struggles with war, class, race and women’s rights.

Based on Howard Zinn’s bestseller “A People’s History of the United States,” concept is being delivered as a feature movie and a four-hour mini-series produced by Matt Damon, Dan Fireman, Ara Katz, Art Spigel, and Carolyn Mugar through Artfire Films and First Tuesday Media. Exec producers are Chris Moore, Zinn and Anthony Arnove.

“People Speak” features dramatic readings and musical perfs by Sean Penn, Damon, Viggo Mortensen, Danny, Glover, Marisa Tomei and others in front of a live audience. They were filmed last month at the Emerson’s Cutler Majestic Theater in Boston.

Zinn’s book sold 1.5 million copies and was translated into over 20 languages.

CMG will be screening a promo reel for buyers at Berlin’s European Film Market. Cinetic Media is handling sale of domestic rights.

Added 27 more photos of Marisa at the press conference for The People Speak.  A HUGE thank you to Andrea for alerting me to these new photos.

Gallery link