Sunday Mar 06, 2022
Dear Mr. Brody / Film School Radio interview with Director Keith Maitland
Dear Mr. Brody begins in January 1970 with a hippie-millionaire Michael Brody Jr., 21-year-old heir to a margarine fortune, announcing to the world that he would personally usher in a new era of peace and love by giving away his $25-million inheritance to anyone in need. In a frenzied few weeks, Brody and his young wife, Renee, ignited a psychedelic spiral of events. Instant celebrities, the Brody’s were mobbed by the public, scrutinized by the press, and overwhelmed by the crush of personal letters responding to this extraordinary offer. Fifty years later, an enormous cache of these letters are discovered—unopened. In this riveting follow-up to his acclaimed TOWER, award-winning director Keith Maitland reveals the incredible story of Michael Brody Jr.—and the countless struggling Americans who sought his help—to create a deeply moving meditation on desire, need, philanthropy, and love. Director Keith Maitland (Tower, A Song for You: The Austin City Limits Story) join’s for a conversation on this extraordinary starburst of a “happening” that revealed the pain and struggle of ordinary people who saw the Mr. Brody as hope. To find out more go to: greenwichentertainment.com/film/dear-mr-brody