The Gray Area with Sean Illing

Ken Burns's latest on The Greatest

Sep 16, 2021

Ken Burns, an acclaimed documentary filmmaker, teams up with his daughter Sarah Burns to delve into their latest project about the legendary Muhammad Ali. They discuss how to distill 500 hours of footage into a fresh narrative, aiming to redefine Ali beyond his celebrity persona. The duo explores the intricacies of documentary storytelling, the cultural impact of Ali as an activist, and the challenges of portraying historical figures authentically. Their insights reflect on the dynamic relationship between family and filmmaking in capturing America's complex history.

01:07:32

Episode guests

Sarah Burns

Ken Burns

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Episode notes

Intro

2min

The Legacy of Muhammad Ali

23min

The Origins of a Boxing Legend: Muhammad Ali's Early Journey

2min

The Life and Legacy of Muhammad Ali

22min

Exploring the Boundaries of Documentary Storytelling

3min

The Filmmaker's Journey: Shaping Stories Through Experience

7min

The Evolution and Ethics of Documentary Filmmaking

4min

Vox's Jamil Smith talks with acclaimed documentary filmmakers Ken and Sarah Burns. The father-daughter team discuss their latest documentary about The Greatest, Muhammad Ali, trying to say something new about a famous and already well-documented figure, how to tell the best story from 500 hours of raw footage, and what it's like when filmmaking centered around American history is the family business.

Host: Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith), Senior Correspondent, Vox

Guests: Ken Burns (@KenBurns) & Sarah Burns (@sarah_l_burns), documentary filmmakers

References:

Muhammad Ali, a film by Ken Burns, Sarah Burns, & David McMahon (premieres Sept. 19)
King of the World: Muhammad Ali and the Rise of an American Hero by David Remnick (Vintage; 1999)

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This episode was made by:

Producer: Erikk Geannikis
Editor: Amy Drozdowska
Deputy Editorial Director, Vox Talk: Amber Hall
VP, Vox Audio: Liz Kelly Nelson

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