Robert Drew

Robert Drew was an American documentary filmmaker and producer. He was known as the "father of American cinéma vérité" and was a pioneer of the modern documentary movement.

Cinéma vérité is a style of documentary filmmaking that emphasizes observation and realism. It often involves using handheld cameras and natural lighting, as well as allowing the subjects of the film to speak for themselves.

Some of Robert Drew's notable works include "Primary" (1960), which followed the primary campaign between John F. Kennedy and Hubert Humphrey; "Crisis" (1963), which focused on the integration of the University of Alabama; and "The Chair" (1963), which documented the process of sentencing a teenage boy to death.

Robert Drew had a significant influence on documentary filmmaking. He helped popularize cinéma vérité in the United States and was one of the first filmmakers to use lightweight, portable cameras to capture real-life situations as they unfolded. His work has been praised for its naturalistic style and for giving a voice to ordinary people.

Robert Drew passed away on July 30, 2014, at the age of 90.