Since 1972 when Humanities Projects in Media was established within the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Endowment has endeavored to use television and radio to convey to the general public important work in humanities scholarship, particularly in history. The programs are intended to stimulate interest in thought and culture through intellectually engaging programs that respect both scholarly integrity and artistic vision.
In the course of its activities, the Media Program has supported numerous projects that have involved close collaboration between historians and filmmakers. History has been presented in a multi-part documentary series such as Heritage: Civilization and the Jews and in the thirteen-part drama The Adams Chronicles. Most historical films, however, are single sixty- or ninety-minute programs. Two recent productions in this format are Huey Long and The Homefront.
Currently, throughout the Endowment there are two special initiatives of interest to historians: the Foundations of American Society and the Columbian Quincentenary. In the former, projects deal directly with the events and achievements of the founding period, the establishment of the Federal government, and the works, philosophy, politics, literature, and art that were produced at the time; they may also treat later events, achievements, and works that have resulted or developed from the founding period. The Columbian Quincentenary offers a multitude of possibilities, from the history of European expansion to the ramifications of its impact on peoples around the world. In addition, the Media Program has announced a special initiative encouraging the production of films through a biographical approach to individuals who have been important to our nation’s history.
From time to time, the AHA has shown films supported by the Endowment at its annual meetings. And historical films are now reviewed regularly in publications of the AHA and OAH. At the Endowment, we are struck by the interest of historians in film. Indeed, several historians are actually directing the production of films, and historical projects submitted to the Media Program far outnumber those from other disciplines.
With this in mind, we are grateful to the AHA for accepting our proposal for a session on film and history at the 1987 annual meeting. The session features four historians, each of whom has played a key role in the development and shaping of a film. Their experience includes both the documentary and dramatic formats. Two of the films will be shown in their entirety. Sorceress, a drama set in thirteenth-century France, examines religion and a healing rite within a peasant community. It will be shown at I p.m. Following the session The Homefront, a ninety-minute documentary exploring life in America during World War II, will be presented.
It is important to point out that the films funded by the Media Program are intended for the general public. Thus far the most effective means of reaching large audiences has been through broadcast on PBS. Most NEH-supported films have aired nationally during prime time and we are pleased that such respected series such as American Playhouse and Great Performances have been associated with many of these films. Along with broadcasting on PBS, the films are usually shown in theaters, at festivals, on cable channels, and several are in the home video market. In addition, they are made available to schools and libraries. Although the Endowment does not distribute these films, it reviews all distribution contracts to ensure as wide a distribution as possible. Recently, we published a Media Log that describes all the films and radio programs supported by the Media Program since its inception. The catalog provides descriptions of each program and cites the major production personnel and the distributor through whom the pro gram can be acquired.
We are especially interested in the films being made available to schools and libraries. Librarians and teachers have informed us of their interest and of the value of some of our films as instructional aids. Along those lines, we have joined with the Annenberg/CPB project in funding several series for PBS airing and classroom use. The films are supplemented with written material prepared by distinguished scholars.
The staff is currently reviewing the distribution of our films with the goal of making them as accessible as possible and at prices affordable for libraries and schools.
