USA / 1990 / 87mins / Biography, Documentary / English

James Baldwin (1924-1987) was a major 20th century American author, a Civil Right activist and during a crucial period, a prophetic voice calling Americans, both black and white, to confront their racial tragedy. This biography captures the passionate intellect and courageous writing of a man who was born black, impoverished, gay and gifted.

Karen Thorsen

Award-winning writer/filmmaker Karen Thorsen finds inspiration at the intersection of art and social justice. Her heroes are game-changers, the artist/activists who shape history – and her films tell their stories without narration, weaving first-person narratives with archival treasures. Thorsen began as a writer. After graduating from Vassar College, with a year at the Sorbonne in Paris, she was an editor for Simon & Schuster, a journalist for LIFE Magazine, and a foreign correspondent for TIME. Screenwriting followed, then directing. Her first feature-length documentary in which she wrote, produced, and directed was James Baldwin: The Price of the Ticket. This work is now considered a documentary film classic. In 2013, she received the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival award for Best Documentary for Joe Papp in Five Acts (2010). Learn More