Sunday, February 14, 2021

Michael Apted, With Respect

 



My friends, I have been saddened by a great many things recently. One of those things was the recent death of one of my favorite directors, Michael Apted.  I have spoken of him before, he directed one of my Dad's favorite films, "Coal Miner's Daughter", which was the story of the country singer, Loretta Lynn. My father also grew up very poor and although he was from Georgia and not from Kentucky like Loretta Lynn, he grew up in a house very similar to the one that was shown in the film. (He even talked like her, "ever day, he would not say, not "every day".) I believe that he was often ridiculed by others. "Hillbilly" was one of the names that he would have been called.  Michael Apted was able to show the life story of Loretta Lynn with great respect.  It is this that I think my Dad appreciated the most. Besides enjoying the story itself, he really did love music and the background story behind songwriters. Hey, that sounds a bit like me, doesn't it?

Michael Apted directed many other films and I urge you to seek them out but before he made these movies, he made a documentary in the early 1960's called "7 Up".  Have you seen it? In Britain, fourteen children were interviewed at the age of seven, ten boys and four girls. (He later wished he had included more girls.)  Oh, I just looked this up and Michael Apted was quite young in 1964, he was one of the researchers and was one of those who helped to choose the children. For every seven years after that, Michael Apted was the director. There were nine episodes and they were titled as follows:

Seven Up!
Seven Plus Seven
21 Up
28 Up
35 Up
42 Up
49 Up
56 Up
63 Up

I have seen them all except that last one and I do hope to see that one soon.  

I find it fascinating that Michael Apted filmed this every seven years and I can only imagine what it must have been like for the fourteen individuals to have had their lives played out on a screen. Still, I think they saw that Michael Apted treated them with respect. In fact, from what I have read, they considered him a friend. 

Now, I suppose most people might get into a deep discussion about the class system in Britain and how the socio economics of one's background factors into how they turn out in life. Me, I let others judge things like that, I simply liked learning of these 14 different people. They are almost exactly the same age as I am, and although they are British, I was surprised to feel so at home with them all.

Michael Apted received the Peabody Award for his work on 7 Up.
The Peabody Award is given to honor the most powerful, enlightening and invigorating stories.  Yes, I think that was well deserved.
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Really missing England.  Didn't get to visit in 2020, of course.
Hopefully, we will be able to this year...

Here's some music for you all!






30 comments:

  1. I do love the UP series. I bought all the DVDS so I can watch anytime. I think so many people really feel a liking for those men and women. I wonder what will happen now. I think I read once that the show stops when he dies, but I could be mistaken.

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    1. I can't see they would continue without Michael Apted but we shall see. I just thought they were so well done. Glad you think so too, Nan! Check out his films also.

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  2. I'll look for 7 Up. I didn't know Apted died. I love Coal Miner's Daughter.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. Sissy Spacek won an Oscar. It was well deserved but I think the director should have won one too.

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  3. The 7UP project/series sounds intriguing - I really must look for it, thank you for the recommendation!
    Thank you also for reminding me of that wonderful Sam Cooke song. I have one or two CDs with his music and listen to them far too rarely!
    As for travelling to the UK this year, my sister and I have resigned ourselves to another year without seeing our family and friends in Yorkshire. It just does not seem feasible, the overall situation being much too insecure (including unclear Brexit regulations).

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    1. Funny, thinking of those children in 7Up and how they are almost my same age made me think of that great song. Sure wish we could get rid of Covid. Like everyone else, I am weary with it.

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  4. Amazing, I just remembered Seven Up for some reason the other day. A wonderful and fascinating series I certainly saw all of the earlier years but it is a long time since I have seen it in Australia. I was not even sure it was still going on. I remember Coal Miner's Daughter and very much enjoyed it. Time for another viewing, wonder if it can be found on Netflix or whatever :)

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    1. Yes, please search it out! And also remember The Chronicles of Narnia? He directed that and also Gorillas In the Mist. Loved both those films.

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  5. I would love to see all the Seven Up documentaries. I've heard of them, but never seen them. I was 7 in 1964 too so those kids would be exactly my age group.

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    1. Oh you must see them! I know you would love seeing them just as I do! And it's funny, they are British and I am American but there must be something universal about growing up and growing older, I feel so much that we are similar.

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  6. Thanks for sharing all you do. I'm always learning something new from you. I din't know about this director or his films. It's always wonderful to learn something new.

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    1. Oh thank you! I do hope you will look up his other films and see if you notice the great respect he brings to his films. Much needed these days.

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  7. I've never seen the Coal Miner's Daughter but this director sounds interesting. I would love to watch the 7 up series. I hope you get to go to England this year. My brother is getting married and his fiance is from England. They were suppose to go in February but have cancelled for now. Have a good week!

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    1. I wonder if your brother and his English bride to be will have as much fun as Richard and I have had trying to learn each other's language! LOL! And make sure you see Coal Miner's Daughter and 7Up! You will thank me!

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  8. Hello Kay,

    It is such fun to reconnect with you after what seems a lifetime away from Blogland.

    We thought that we had not heard of Michael Apted or his work, but we have and can well recall the series of capturing the lives of the individuals at seven year intervals.

    There is something wonderful about someone who sees their work as spanning many decades rather than as a quick fix. In this world of instant gratification, it is reassuring to know of people who take a longer, deeper and more fulfilling path to follow. An artist friend here in Budapest who is a photographer has catalogued the lives of families living in Transylvania over the past 50 years. It is his lifetime's work and there is something truly monumental about this.

    The changes that have occurred over the past few decades are immense and it is truly fascinating to see the ways in which these changes have made an impact upon individuals.

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    1. How lovely it is to see your comment here! I looked up your friend and he must be Peter Korniss. He had an exhibition called "Continuing Memories". I can see why the 7Up series would make you think of him. What extraordinary photographs he has made and to compare them from over the years is truly fascinating. I read that he planned to study law but was not able to do so and he looked for a profession to match his human interest. I think he found it.

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  9. Many thanks for the music, I was singing along :)

    All the best Jan

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    1. Oh that makes me very glad to know you have been singing that song! Take care!

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  10. I vaguely recall seeing one of them years ago. I might see if I can find them.

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    1. Oh, I do hope you enjoy them! Try to see Coal Miner's Daughter too. And Gorillas In the Mist. And Chronicles of Narnia!

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  11. Never heard of the man nor saw his any of his movies. My condolences.

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    1. Of course, I didn't know him personally but I do feel sad over his loss. You might be watching a good film and notice he is the director and you will say, "Well, Kay SAID he was a good director!" Michael Apted, remember his name.

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  12. And one must not overlook the wonderful, much-acclaimed "Gorillas in the Mist", which Apted also directed. I also loved "Coal Miner's Daughter"...and watched it again, not that long ago.

    Take good care, Kay. :)

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    1. Oh yes! I loved that film too! I mentioned it in some of my comments above. I love Signouney Weaver also! Did you know her father was Anerican but her mother was British? You know I know that fact!😊 Take care, Lee!

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  13. It's been such a long time since I've seen Coal Miner's Daughter. That was a wonderful film. I hadn't heard of 7 Up. It sounds very interesting.
    I'll be so happy when we can travel to see our kids and grandkids again.

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    1. You would love the 7Up series, I am sure of it! We can look forward to travelling again to see loved ones. You know I do! Take care! Aloha!

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  14. Iloved Coal Miners Daughter, but hadn't heard his name before. I guess I don't pay attention to the credits. Have you read Hillbilly Elegy? I recently listen to it read by the author and really enjoyed it. Think you will as well. Hope you're stay well, staying safe from this Covid and are able to get your shots soon, if you've not already been successful doing so.

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    1. I always pay close attention to names of the directors of films and I have firm favorites. I've heard of Hillbilly Elegy but not read it or seen the film. I will get the vaccine as soon as I am allowed to do so. You stay healthy too!

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  15. I don't know why I wasn't here before today. Doesn't Sam Cooke have the most caressing voice ever? You Send Me made every girl fall in love with him.

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