John Sayles, Filmmaker: A Critical Study of the Independent Writer-Director; With a Filmography and a Bibliography

In 1980, art house audience word of mouth about an unusual new movie, Return of the Secaucus Seven, launched the career of director John Sayles and with him the era of the independent filmmaker. Sayles has remained a maverick, writing, directing, editing and even acting in his own films. He has directed such diverse films as The Brother from Another Planet, Matewan, Eight Men Out, Passion Fish, and Lone Star, and received two Academy Award nominations. Here is the chronicle of Sayles' career-his inauspicious beginning and his work in fiction, theatre, music videos and television. A chapter is devoted to each of his feature films: funding, plot, important characters, and a look at the language, setting, and politics. Sayles' technical development-his camera work, editing, musical arrangement and mise-en-scne-is also traced.