D. A. Pennebaker

Published: Feb. 4, 2007, 5 a.m.

Documentary filmmaker D. A. Pennebaker is one of the pioneers of cinéma vérité filmmaking, best-known for films about politics and show business including Dont Look Back (1967), Monterey Pop (1968), and The War Room (1993, co-directed with Chris Hegedus). His rarely screened 1970 film Original Cast Album—Company (1970) follows the marathon recording session of Steven Sondheim's groundbreaking Broadway show and captures the creative process of both Sondheim and the remarkable performer Elaine Stritch. Newsday critic Jan Stuart selected this film to present during the Museum's 2007 series with the New York Film Critics Circle, Critics Choice: Great Documentaries.