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Albert Maysles, world famous documentary
filmmaker who filmed the Beatles
in
1964
when they first came to
the U.S.,
just celebrated his 85th birthday and is now
showing his documentary with Paul McCartney titled, "The
Love We Make".
This documentary was conceived by Paul McCartney and filmed
after the WTC attacks. On the morning of 9/11, Paul was on a
jet on the tarmac of Kennedy Airport about to depart for
London en route to his daughter Stella's birthday. All
planes where grounded and from his window Paul could see
the burning WTC towers and their collapse.
Paul was inspired to organize
a benefit event with his fellow musician friends at Madison
Square Garden with the support of Harvy Weinstein of Miramax
Films. Paul commissioned
Albert Maysles to make a film of the days surrounding the
event. Filmed in black and white, Albert captures Paul
walking the streets of NYC while conversing with New Yorkers
and visitors. Paul is filmed promoting the event by being
interviewed by Dan Rather on network television,
chatting with Barbara Walters, and appearing
on The Howard Stern Show .
The musicians who performed were filmed both backstage and
on stage at MSG. This group included Billy Joel, Mick Jagger
and Keith Richards,Eric Clapton, Pete Townshend , Roger
Daltrey, David Bowie,James Taylor, Jay-Z, Bon Jovi and
Elton John; as well as former President Bill Clinton,
Leonardo
DiCaprio, Jim Carrey, Harrison Ford and former Governor
George Pataki. McCartney speaks of his handling tragedy in
his life through music and humor which is exactly what he
brought to this MSG event.
This film event was televised nationally on
Showtime 9/11/11 after a press screening in Toronto 9/6.
On Jan. 18 2012,the film was shown
at the Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington,
L.I.,
to a sold-out crowd with Albert Maysles and
Bradley Kaplan, president of Maysles Films in attendance.
Also in attendance was Nino Vendome the NYC real estate
developer whose mother and father ran Nino's restaurant on
Canal Street. After 9/11 Nino's restaurant offered free food
to all Ground Zero workers and uniformed personnel 24 hours
a day , 7 days a week for 7 months . Nino is developing a
screenplay about the people who came to Nino's after 9/11
and is in discussion with Al Maysles about a documentary
describing the experiences of those rescue
workers who served and volunteered at Ground Zero as well
as those who served food and drink at Nino's
restaurant. Many stars from Broadway, TV and Hollywood such
as Leonardo DiCaprio, Danny Glover and Susan Sarandon
generously gave their time to serve meals to the rescue
workers.
Also in attendance was Kristofer Ambrose, singer,
composer and musician and personal friend of
Albert. Kristofer composed a song called "Mother Companion"
about "Little Edie" and "Big Edie" Bouvier Beale and
inspired by the Maysles Brothers world famous and award
winning "Grey Gardens" 1976 documentary which became an
award- winning musical and HBO Movie with Drew Barrymore and
Jessica Lange. All three formats have won
numerous
awards. " We the People" a featured track on Kristofer's
upcoming album titled "American Dream" speaks of the rescue
workers at Ground Zero today . Kristofer spoke of this
McCartney
documentary possessing
"real humor and real love growing from tragedy" .
Last but not least, Debbie Tuma,
famous paparazzo and writer who has penned
numerous articles on Albert Maysles and his films also
attended and was inspired by the film. Debbie was struck by
the comraderie that Paul has both with people of New York
and the famous visiting musicians and dignitaries.
"It was great to see the candid moments
between Paul McCartney, all the great stars, and the people
of New York."
"The Love We Make" now on DVD, is exhilirating,
fascinating and profound.
And as Albert Maysles says "all good
documentaries can be viewed many times and new insights are
always revealed."
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