Haskell Wexler – Presente’! – December 27, 2015
We must share the last words of our dear family friend of over thirty years spoken to Theresa just a week ago when
he had to decline attending a dinner date because of health. “I just love you and Blase.” A statement we will always remember because it was so mutual.
Haskell was a Michelangelo of the movie industry. That is what his peers thought of him. He was named one of the 10 most influential cinematographers in movie history in a survey of the International Cinematographers Guild and also as first cinematographer to win a lifetime achievement award from the American Society of Cinematographers. He won the Academy Awardtwice! His writing and directing of MEDIUM COOL is a subject for film schools internationally. We suggest that you go to WIKIPEDIA to see the endless accomplishments of this great artist.
We remember Haskell as a peacemaker and truth teller. He is probably the only filmmaker in the world to create a film denouncing a crime of his country while that disaster was in process. He did this by writing and directing the 1985 film LATINO which he shot in Nicaragua. Movie critic Michael Wilmington described this as, “An indictment of U.S. involvement in Nicaragua that pulls no philosophical punches and was made under conditions of real danger, near actual battle zones.”
Haskell met Theresa in Nicaragua where she brought a delegation during that filthy slaughter which was directed primarily toward civilians in that war torn country. 40,000 Nicaraguans were murdered. Haskell has been a friend and partner in the struggle for justice ever since.
We join in saying Amen to the words of Haskell’s son Jeff who said, “His real passion was much larger than making movies, his real passion was for human beings, and justice and peace.”
Haskell served as a most active member of the Board of Directors of the OFFICE OF THE AMERICAS for over thirty years. He received our Justice and Peace Award in 2000.
Haskell’s friendship is one of the highlights of our lives.
HASKELL WEXLER…..PRESENTE…PRESENTE…PRESENTE….
Theresa and Blase Bonpane
