Post by : Meena
Hassan
On a brisk Wednesday afternoon, a large crowd of New York City high school students packed the pews at Trinity Church in Lower Manhattan to ponder a pivotal question: “Who tells your story?” The instructors for this engaging session were renowned filmmaker Ken Burns and Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda.
This event served as a vibrant prelude to Burns’ upcoming venture, The American Revolution, a comprehensive six-part, 12-hour documentary set to debut on Sunday. With its rich historical significance and as the final resting place of Alexander Hamilton and Eliza, the church was an ideal venue for such a conversation.
“We are in the business of telling stories,” said Burns, sharing the stage with Miranda under the church's impressive vaulted ceiling. “I deal in fact. Lin-Manuel weaves stories. But the essential inquiry of ‘Who tells your story?’ is fundamental to humanity, allowing us to broaden our narratives and include everyone’s voice.”
The documentary is co-directed by Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt, alongside a companion book co-written by Geoffrey Ward, utilizing extensive historical resources. The narrators include a star-studded cast that Miranda likens to an “Avengers”-worthy ensemble, featuring Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, Morgan Freeman, and Laura Linney. The documentary also includes input from historians with diverse expertise, from Pulitzer Prize winners to scholars focusing on slavery, Native American history, and British colonialism.
The students weren’t just passive observers; they were active participants. After viewing a segment from Burns’ documentary on the grueling winter at Valley Forge, Shacoy Moodie and Arianna Richards from Equality Charter High School performed an original rap honoring John Laurens, a revolutionary figure advocating for enslaved Black individuals. “They deserve it all/each and every one/they deserve it all,” the students chanted, earning enthusiastic support from both Miranda and Burns.
Burns and Miranda's friendship has flourished over the past decade, beginning when Burns attended a Hamilton performance and chatted with Miranda backstage. Despite their generational gap—Burns is 72, while Miranda is 45—their mutual appreciation for education through storytelling unites them. Burns’ documentaries have become staples in school programs, while Miranda celebrates the numerous school renditions of Hamilton.
“It was perfect for Lin-Manuel to join me at Trinity,” Burns stated, highlighting the increasing public intrigue in the Revolution spurred by Hamilton. Miranda quipped, “When Ken Burns calls, you say ‘Yes.’”
Burns stressed the intricate nature of history, encouraging students to transcend “top-down” narratives while still honoring the founders' contributions. When discussing George Washington, he remarked, “He was deeply flawed. He enslaved many people, recognized the immorality of slavery, and only freed them late in his life... However, we wouldn't have a nation without him.”
The documentary's premiere comes just months before the 250th anniversary of the United States, amidst contemporary discussions on how to remember the Revolution. Burns’ film aims at presenting a broader narrative that emphasizes the roles of women, the impact of slavery, and the hardships faced by Native Americans, in addition to the tales of the founding fathers.
On stage, a student inquired about the links between revolutionary politics and today’s political climate. Burns clarified that The American Revolution does not take any political sides, covering various administrations from Obama to Biden. The documentary presents the U.S. as an “dynamic and unfinished, inspiring and imperfect” entity, underscoring the lessons from history that can guide the future.
Miranda echoed thoughts from Hamilton, stating, “I learned that the contradictions at the founding persist today, similar to the familial disputes you have with your siblings.” Together, Burns and Miranda imparted a vital message to the students: history is vibrant, multifaceted, and always open to new storytellers.
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