Charles Burnett (director) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Charles Burnett
Burnett pictured in 2008
Born	(1944-04-13) April 13, 1944 (age 81) Vicksburg, Mississippi, U.S.
Occupation	Film director, film producer, writer, editor, actor, photographer, cinematographer
Years active	1977–present
Known for	Killer of Sheep To Sleep with Anger
Spouse(s)	Gaye Shannon-Burnett
Children	2

Charles Burnett (born April 13, 1944) is an American filmmaker. He is a director, producer, writer, and editor. He is known for making movies that tell important stories about Black Americans.

Some of his most famous films include Killer of Sheep (1978) and To Sleep with Anger (1990). Critics have called him one of America's best filmmakers. In 2017, he received a special Academy Honorary Award. This award recognized him as an "influential film pioneer."

Early Life and Learning

Charles Burnett was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, in 1944. His family moved to Watts, a neighborhood in South Los Angeles, in 1947. Watts was a mostly Black community.

Burnett was interested in art from a young age. However, he first studied electronics in college. He later realized he wanted to explore his artistic side. He then earned a degree in writing and languages from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

He continued his studies at the UCLA film school. He earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in film. His time at UCLA greatly influenced his work. He worked with other talented students who became famous filmmakers. These included Larry Clark, Julie Dash, and Haile Gerima.

The Black Independent Movement

In the late 1960s, a filmmaking movement started at UCLA. It was called the "Black Independent Movement." Charles Burnett was a big part of this group. These filmmakers wanted to tell stories that were true to African American history and culture.

Their movies often showed the lives of working-class families. They wanted to show real problems and feelings. This movement was different from mainstream Hollywood films. They focused on telling their own stories.

Charles Burnett's Career

Burnett started making short films while he was a student at UCLA. These included Several Friends (1969) and The Horse (1973). He directed, produced, and edited these early works.

First Feature Films

Burnett's first full-length movie was Killer of Sheep. It was his master's thesis at UCLA. It took him five years to finish. The film was released in 1978. He filmed it with a handheld camera, making it feel like a documentary. Many of the actors were his friends.

Killer of Sheep tells the story of Stan, a worker at a slaughterhouse. He tries to earn enough money to support his family. The movie shows everyday life and struggles. It won many awards, including at the Berlin International Film Festival and Sundance Film Festival. In 1990, it was added to the National Film Registry. This list includes films that are important to American culture.

His second full-length film was My Brother's Wedding. Burnett directed, produced, and wrote this movie. It was his first film shot in color. The story is about a man named Pierce Mundy. He struggles to choose between his brother's middle-class life and his best friend's working-class world.

Established Works in the 1990s

To Sleep with Anger (1990) was Burnett's first movie with a bigger budget. It cost about $1.4 million to make. The film is set in South Central Los Angeles. It explores themes of family and Southern folklore. The story is about a family that welcomes a guest who causes problems.

This film was Burnett's first to feature professional actors. Danny Glover played one of the main roles. Even though critics loved the movie, it did not do well at the box office. However, it won many awards. These included Best Screenplay from the National Society of Film Critics.

The Glass Shield (1994) was a film for a wider audience. It starred rap artist Ice Cube. The movie is about corruption and racism in a police department. It shows how African American and female characters can feel powerless. The film was nominated for an award at the Festival del film Locarno.

Burnett also directed several TV movies in the 1990s. These included Oprah Winfrey Presents: The Wedding (1998) and Selma, Lord, Selma (1999). Selma, Lord, Selma is a Disney movie. It tells the story of a young girl inspired by Martin Luther King Jr. to join a protest march.

2000s and Beyond

Charles Burnett has directed many documentaries. These include America Becoming (1991) and Nat Turner: A Troublesome Property (2003). America Becoming looked at different cultures in America. Nat Turner: A Troublesome Property won an award for its cinematography.

He also directed more TV movies. Nightjohn (1996) was a Disney Channel movie. It is about an escaped slave who learns to read. He then returns to teach others. This film won several awards.

In 1999, Burnett directed The Annihilation of Fish. This romance film starred James Earl Jones and Lynn Redgrave. It won awards at film festivals. Burnett also directed episodes of the TV series American Family.

His film Namibia: The Struggle for Liberation (2007) tells the story of Namibia's fight for independence. It is based on the life of Namibia's first president, Sam Nujoma. Both Carl Lumbly and Danny Glover starred in this movie.

In 2019, it was announced that Burnett would direct a film called Steal Away. This movie is based on the true story of Robert Smalls escaping slavery.

Recurring Themes in His Work

Charles Burnett's films often explore how history affects families. He frequently focuses on working-class African Americans. His movies challenge stereotypes and clichés.

Burnett has said he makes films about real problems. These include growing up and finding your identity. He also often explores themes of freedom and struggle. This might be because of his involvement in the UCLA's Third World Film Club. This club supported revolutions happening around the world.

Filmography

Films

Short films

• 1969 - Several Friends
• 1973 - The Horse
• 1995 - When It Rains
• 1997 - The Final Insult
• 2000 - Olivia's Story
• 2007 - Quiet as Kept

Television

Documentaries

Cinematographer

Awards and Honors

In 1988, Charles Burnett received a MacArthur Fellowship. This award is given to talented individuals to help them with their projects.

He also won the Freedom in Film Award. This award recognized his dedication to telling important cultural and historical stories. In 1997, the Film Society of Lincoln Center honored him. He also received grants from important organizations like the Rockefeller Foundation.

The mayor of Seattle even declared February 20, 1997, as Charles Burnett Day. In September 2017, he received an "honorary Oscar" from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. This award celebrated his lasting influence on film.

Personal Life

Charles Burnett is married to Gaye Shannon-Burnett. She is an actress and costume designer. They have two sons, Steven and Jonathan.