Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise
Liane Buck: Yeah. Well, I believe that all the knowledge that she gathered and accumulated also came to fruition during her life, as wisdom. That she was able to perform. She applied that knowledge daily to her poetry, to her workshops, and the appearances in movies. I think it’s fantastic. Now, talking about the power of words, which was something she was very strict about noticing others and not devaluing another human being. In the movie, there is a part where actually Oprah talks about that she witnesses her saying, “Leave my house. You’re not going to use those words here in my house.” Do you think that the power that she attributed to the spoken words, would be a continued legacy of our culture?
Bob Hercules: Well, I start first. I mean I think her legacy is that. It is primarily her words that will survive and hopefully our film will help propagate that. But I think her life is a lesson to us all, especially in this age we have now, where language has been debased due to our society and due to social media and other factors. But I think hopefully she still is a lesson to us, to do better, to treat each other better, to learn to forgive, to learn to move on, to learn to reconcile differences and things like that. Because obviously we’re at a point in society that is so divided, dangerously so. And so I think that one of the great things about Dr. Angelou is she is an inspiring figure, and she inspired people to overcome things and to do better and to write better and to be kinder to people and that.
So I think, I’m hoping that the film, in our own small way, carries this legacy forward. Because she’s not here anymore, but the film obviously can continue to go out into the world. But we do need inspirational people like Maya Angelou to help our society correct itself. Because right now, I think we’re kind of at a dark spot in our history where we’re really using language badly and there’s a lot of bad feelings being caused.
Liane Buck: Absolutely. Well, one thing that I just want to interject before we do the last question. What I understand about her was this symbol of courage and strength and empowerment. And when she actually turned around and was able and to say that she no longer thought that white people were devils with blue eyes. She brought more people together. Would you like to say a message to our audience? Both of you or–about the movie and where we can see the movie after the Illuminate festival?
Bob Hercules: Well, the film will air on the PBS series American Masters probably in February of next year, and it will continue to play in festivals around the country over the summer, early fall. And it will probably play in some theaters, as well, in the fall. We also have, and plan to take it out to schools, universities, and things like that, to also–because one of our goals is really to reach young people with this message of, that Dr. Angelou had of overcoming obstacles, which is a great inspiration to people.
And also, for people to learn more, like you said, for people to learn more about her life, which was an incredible life. But a lot of people don’t know all the things that she did, and it’s quite a surprise, as you said when you started, to find out all these things about her. So the film really will get out there. It is getting out there right now. We’re very happy with how it’s being received.
Liane Buck: I really think that the movie itself is an icon. And the history there is just–there was more than one part of this film that I actually cried because it was so good.
Bob Hercules: Really? Huh.
Liane Buck: I really appreciate you all giving us the opportunity to spotlight this work. I think it’s a paramount work. I think vital for the history and for the registry in our society. We need more heroes. I believe that we need more Role models. More role models and less, the chaotic thing.
