A Year-Long Series Inspired by America’s Founding Life, Liberty & Pursuits of Happiness
Life, Liberty & Pursuits of Happiness
Date, Time & Location
Date
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Time
7 p.m.
7 p.m.
Location
ASU MIX Center | 50 N Centennial Way Mesa, AZ 85201
Paul C. Helmick Ctr | #101 660 S. College Avenue Tempe, AZ 85281
The Film
Henry David Thoreau is a three-part, PBS documentary premiering March 30 and 31, 2026. Directed by Erik Ewers and Christopher Loren Ewers and executive produced by Ken Burns and Don Henley, the film offers the first comprehensive, nationally broadcast biography of Thoreau. Rather than depicting him as a solitary woodsman, the documentary reveals Thoreau as a fully engaged figure in antebellum New England whose ideas continue to shape modern conversations about justice, nature, and civic responsibility. The film blends archival material, new cinematography from Concord, Massachusetts, and interviews with scholars and contemporary environmental voices.
Narrated by George Clooney, the documentary features Jeff Goldblum as Thoreau, along with Ted Danson, Tate Donovan, and Meryl Streep voicing key figures from Thoreau’s life. Across its three episodes, the film examines his responses to slavery, industrialization, and environmental loss, and traces how his writings inspired later reformers including John Muir, Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King Jr.
Speaker Bios
Erik Ewers is a seasoned filmmaker and editor, known for his work with Ken Burns on nearly all of his single and multi-episodic films. He has been nominated for over seven personal and program Emmy Awards, winning one editing Emmy and three program Emmys. Ewers has also been nominated for two ACE Eddie Awards and won an ACE for "Best Edited Documentary of 2015." He currently serves as co-director and editor of Ewers Brothers Productions, a collaborative company in the co-creation of Ken's films. Ewers has a rich background in filmmaking, having served in various roles such as music producer, writer, director, film producer, picture editor, and sound effects, music, and dialogue editor. His recent projects include "The Mayo Clinic: Faith, Hope, Science" and "Hiding in Plain Sight: Youth Mental Illness," which have received critical acclaim and are scheduled to air nationally on PBS.
Christopher Ewers is a cinematographer and filmmaker with over 20 years of experience. He studied cinematography at Boston University and photojournalism at the New England School of Photography. Ewers has worked with various clients, including Fortune 500 brands and non-profit organizations, and has collaborated with Ken Burns and Florentine Films on numerous documentary projects. His work includes a variety of subjects and formats, showcasing his unique blend of film and journalism backgrounds. Ewers is currently co-directing and filming new projects, including a documentary about Henry David Thoreau and a follow-up to the mental health film Hiding in Plain Sight: Adult Mental Illness.