Shoot from the Heart

The heart of this casual, vérité-style portrait of the renowned cinematographer, director, and producer Haskell Wexler (1922-2015) is a friendly evening with fellow filmmakers. Wexler talks to documentary makers D.A. Pennebaker (1925-2019) and Chris Hegedus on topics such as control and manipulation, while the makers of this film—Joan Churchill and Alan Barker—are also emphatically present, sometimes passing the camera between them.

The intimate tone suits Wexler, who was a pioneer of cinéma vérité as a director of films such as Medium Cool. In non-chronological order, Shoot from the Heart follows Wexler in his work, on a visit to the Viennale in Vienna with Jane Fonda, and on other projects. We also hear from directors and colleagues such as John Sayles and Tom Sigel. Wexler’s activism is also highlighted; he remained politically engaged until the end of his life. Shoot from the Heart is a lively portrait of one of the greats of American cinema.