Ken Burns loses GM Funding after 2+ Decades

Ken Burns, one of our greatest documentary filmmakers, has benefited from a healthy financial backing from major automotive manufacturer GM for over twenty years. Burns has given such immensely significant films as ‘Civil War’, ‘Jazz’ and ‘Baseball’.

His multi-part documentary mini-series detailed subjects in great detail and with great care. Many of which were produced to air on public TV, the time it takes to makes just one of these landmark films would astound you, which is why this feels like such an unfortunate blow for Burns. GM has announced that, due to their current economic situation, they are forced to cut this funding as part of their overall efforts to survive.

GM spokeswoman Kelly Cusinato calls Burns “the gold standard of documentary filmmaking,” but says the financial crisis “has forced GM to rein in such spending.” A figure for GM’s aid to Burns isn’t known. — Variety

Burns’ last film backed by GM is a six-part series called ‘The National Parks: America’s Best Idea’ which will air this fall season. While it will be the last one funded by GM, I find it hard to believe someone else won’t step in where GM left off.

[source: Variety]