As is readily apparent from reading a newspaper or watching a newscast, journalism is under attack in our society. Thanks to the President coining the phrase “fake news” and the further polarization of political opinions, the public’s overall perception of journalists has likely never been lower. But as seen in the new doc “Mike Wallace Is Here,” journalism has been under a critical microscope for decades.
The new trailer for “Mike Wallace Is Here” tackles the rise of modern TV journalism, as seen through the eyes of CBS’ own Mike Wallace. The journalist responsible for the landmark news show “60 Minutes” was on the front line, defending the job of news reporting from public and government scrutiny for over 50 years. Now, thanks to the new documentary, film fans can see that even though it feels like what’s happening in politics now is new and scary, the truth is that the same issues have been going on for decades, with archival footage that is from the ‘60s but could just as easily be from 2019.
“Mike Wallace Is Here” is directed by documentary filmmaker Avi Belkin. He’s probably best known for his recent film “Winding,” and will next direct a true crime docuseries on SundanceTV called “No One Saw a Thing.”
“Mike Wallace Is Here” will arrive in theaters on July 26.
Here’s the synopsis:
Deemed the “enemy of the people” by our current president, journalism in America is on the chopping block. Lies, fake news, propaganda, and verbal subterfuge threaten to cripple our First Amendment. This fascinating exposé of 60 Minutes’ fearsome newsman Mike Wallace turns his hard-hitting, no-holds-barred journalistic style loose on Wallace himself, who is considered by many to be the inventor of the form. Mike Wallace unflinchingly interrogated the biggest figures of the 20th century. During 50 years on the air, his aggressive reporting style and showmanship redefined what America has come to expect from broadcasters.