SNAPSHOT
[Street Gang], which inspired by Michael Davis’ New York Times best-selling book of the name, chronicles the improbable origins and expansion of the groundbreaking show that not only changed children’s television programming, but had real-world effects on equality, education, and representation worldwide. The doc features more than 20 interviews with original writers, cast, and crew and features never-before-seen behind-the-scenes footage. (synopsis via Joblo)
Idealists have been integral to people getting great and enduring things done.
Far from the wafty dreamers that they often portrayed as, idealists are often the people who put principle into society changing action, in the process making the world a much better place.
Chief among this criminally underappreciated group are Joan Ganz Cooney and Lloyd Morrisett, who created and launched Sesame Street, which premiered on 10 November, 1969 and which “combines live-action, sketch comedy, animation and puppetry” to share important educational content with kids, premiered.
Sesame Street has revolutionised how TV can be used for good, with its inspiring story told in Street Gang by Michael Davis, and now in a forthcoming documentary which features Gaz Cooney (“This was an experiment. No one had ever seen anything like it.”) and Morrissett and a host of other people crucial to the show’s success.
Featuring behind-the-scenes footage which includes Jim Henson and Frank Oz with the show’s beloved Muppets, Street Gang looks to be inspirational, heart0-tugging and a vibrant reminder that idealism is a powerful force for good in a world desperately in need of as much of it as it can get.
Street Gang arrives in US theatres on 23 April, with availability on video-on-demand platforms to follow on 7 May.