Maynard Jackson’s family to produce documentary about his life
Film explores personal side of Atlanta icon.
- Mass Photo
- GAME CHANGER: MAYNARD will explore the life and times of the history-making Atlanta icon.
The story of Atlanta’s first African-American mayor is headed to the big screen. <a href=”http://www.auburnavenuefilms.com/” target=”_blank” target=_blank”>Auburn Avenue Films is producing a theatrical documentary about the life of Maynard Jackson, titled MAYNARD. Executive producers for the film include Maynard Jackson’s children Maynard H. Jackson III, Elizabeth Jackson Hodges, and Brooke Jackson Edmond, and their spouses Wendy Eley Jackson and Howie Hodges.
“Most people only remember the public side of Maynard Jackson Jr., but they never saw the man who struggled with the loss of his own father at the age of 15, the brother who buried two sisters, the husband who went through divorce, or the father who feared he would lose his only son,” Maynard H. Jackson II said in a statement. “In this documentary you will definitely see the giant of a mayor, but more importantly, you see the giant of a real man.”
Man or giant, Maynard Jackson changed the city of Atlanta for the better. Along with serving a record three terms as the city’s mayor, he’s credited with turning Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport into “<a href=”http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/31/travel/worlds-busiest-airport/” target=”_blank” target=_blank”>the world’s busiest airport,” bringing the 1996 Olympic Games to ATL, revitalizing Downtown, and restoring several historic neighborhoods. Telling that story, along with the more personal experiences is tough task, but the producers recruited two of documentary film and television vets on board.
Oscar-nominated producer, editor, and filmmaker, <a href=”http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0689498/” target=”_blank” target=_blank”>Samuel Pollard (Four Little Girls) will direct MAYNARD, and Emmy winner <a href=”http://www.sheilacurranbernard.com/” target=”_blank” target=_blank”>Sheila Curran Bernard (“Eyes on the Prize”) will handle the writing duties. “We want people to know how much he cared for all people in the city that he loved,” Elizabeth Hodges, Maynard H. Jackson Jr.’s oldest daughter. “He wanted everyone leading successful and fulfilled lives.”