In a massive star panel that featured the likes of Matt Damon and Marisa Tomei, History Channel unveiled its brand new project, The People Speak today.
Based on the book by historian, author and playwright Howard Zinn, The People Speak is a collection of views from ordinary Americans who, through their actions and words, managed to change the course of history.
The special features A-list actors like Damon and Tomei, along with Josh Brolin, Viggo Mortensen, Don Cheeadle, Eddie Vedder and John Legend, reading excerpts from charter documents, letters and diaries from ordinary Americans.
“There are people who read the book and read about the struggles and the oppression and they come away depressed,” Zinn, who also serves as an executive producer on the project, admits. “But if you read through the whole book, so many people are inspired by the fact that people fought back, all the way through. The slaves fought back, the revolutionary soldiers fought back, the working people fought back. The victories were won, not because the three branches of government came through, but because ordinary citizens came together and fought them.”
According to executive producer Chris Moore, people on the crew actually broke down during the making of the special. “When you cut through all of the stuff and you literally read a letter or a first person’s account, it’s very moving,” he says.
“One of the themes of the film is the constant tension from the people, pushing at their governments to see the things they want to get done,” Damon, the third executive producer and a performer for the project adds. “Very few people know Abraham Lincoln said if he could keep the union together without abolishing slavery that he would. [But] he was pushed enough by the people to do that.”
The People Speak comes to History Television this fall.
Amber is currently reporting live from the TV Critics Press Tour in L.A. Check out complete coverage here. amber@tvguide.ca
Have a TV question? Check out the latest Ask Amber, or follow Amber on Twitter.
BACK TO THE TCA CALENDAR
Follow TV Guide Canada on Facebook