The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Film re visits Maynard Jackson’ s life
Film centers on the life of Atlanta’s first black mayor.
Atlanta Mayor Maynard Jackson Jr. “knocked out” Muhammad Ali in a 1975 charity event, with state Sen. Julian Bond officiating. Anew documentary about the life of Jackson, Atlanta’s first black mayor, premiered Thursday night in New York. “It was like an astounding thing to see a Southern city elect a black mayor,” said director Sam Pollard.
Maynard Jackson Jr., who made history as Atlanta’s first black mayor, is the subject of a new documentary about his life. After years in the making ,“Maynard” premiered here Thursday night.
“Atlanta was the capital of the South,” the Rev. Al Sharpton said during his interview for the film. “For him to win the capital of the South and to be able to call the shots was huge.”
Sharpton walked into New York’s IFC Center, where the screening was held, a few minutes after the film began and took a seat right on the front row.
The film was directed by Oscar- nominated, Emmy-winning director, editor and producer Sam Pollard, whose work includes “Slavery By Another Name,” “Eyes on the Prize,” “25th Hour ,”“4 Little Girls ,”“When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts” and “Clockers.”
“It was like an astounding thing to see a Southern city elect a black mayor,” Pollard said.
Jackson was elected in 1973 and in 1974 became the first black mayor not only of Atlanta but of any major Southern city. He served eight years and then returned for a third term in 1990, after Young’s time in the position. Jackson played a vital role in bringing the 1996 Summer Olympics to Atlanta.
His key legacy, of course, is the Maynard H. Jackson Jr. International Terminal at what is now officially called Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Jackson died in 2003 at 65.
“He wanted to make us leaders in theworld,” former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin said during her segment of the film, during which she discussed Jackson’s push to expand the airport.
“Maynard ,” which producers plan to introduce at a number of festivals and eventually screen at an Atlanta premiere next year, tells the story of Jackson and the story of Atlanta. It ranges from times of racial strife and political turmoil to buoyant civic spirit and optimism for the future, making the work feel timely, especially as Atlanta prepares to choose a new leader in next month’s runoff.
“I’m proud that Maynard will finally get the kind of attention and honor that he deserves,” his widow Valerie Jackson said during a red carpet interview prior to the screening .“Maynard was like Obama before Obama.”
Franklin shared a hilarious anecdote during the film. In 1975, the year of the famous “Thrilla in Manila” bout between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, Jackson and Ali staged a photo as a publicity lark. Although Ali would prevail against Smokin’ Joe in the Philippine Coliseum, he lost the “match” against Jackson. In the iconic photo taken that day, the late Julian Bond, then a Georgia state senator who would go on to serve as chairman of the NAACP, holds Jackson’s glove aloft in triumph. There was just one problem in pulling the event together: “Maynard wouldn’t tell anyone what size( boxing shorts) he wore ,” Franklin said.
In more somber moments of the film, Brooke Jackson Edmond and Elizabeth Jackson Hodge talked about how their parents divorced — the stress of his demanding job contributing to stress at home.
Jackson’s former wife Bunnie Jackson Ransom, who also attended the Thursday event, shared funny memories, such as her former husband’s affinity for ice cream. Lots of it. But she also touched on the tough balancing act of work and home life.
“He gave 150 percent of him to this city,” she said.
The film includes interviews with former President Bill Clinton; the Revs. Jesse Jackson and Joseph Lowery; Jackson’s predecessor in office, former Atlanta Mayor Sam Massell; and his successors, including former Mayor and U.N. Ambassador Andrew Young and current Mayor Kasim Reed.
“Hewas born to be great,” Young said.
The AJC visited the filming set the day Franklin sat for an interview.
“He loved very deeply and was very passionate about his work,” she said. “Maynard’s advice to me when I was running was that I needed a ‘kitchen’ Cabinet, not just a city Cabinet. He always felt that you needed to have outside advice and counsel. For him, that was people from all walks of life.”