From the Big Red to the Red Carpet: Dr. Tony Fauci
Cornell Cinema presents a special screening of the new PBS American Masters documentary Dr. Tony Fauci featuring an introduction and Q&A with executive producer Michael Kantor ‘83.
Dr. Anthony Fauci became a household name during the AIDS crisis of the ‘80s and ‘90s. The physician-scientist and immunologist has since served as the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the Chief Medical Advisor to the President for seven different administrations in the U.S.
In 2020, he found himself in the spotlight again as the COVID-19 pandemic ravaged the globe. Beginning with the inauguration of President Joe Biden and spanning two years, American Masters: Dr. Tony Fauci captures America’s most prominent physician, as he reflects on the pandemics that have shaped his 50-year career.
See Dr. Fauci at home, in his office and in the corridors of power, as he grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic and his 50-year career as the nation’s leading public health advocate. American Masters: Dr. Tony Fauci reveals a rarely seen side of the physician, husband and father as he confronts political backlash, a new administration and questions of the future.
This screening is part of the special event From the Big Red to the Red Carpet: A two-day visit with alumni filmmakers Scott Ferguson ‘83 and Michael Kantor ‘83.
About the filmmaker
Michael Kantor joined ”American Masters” as the PBS series’ executive producer in 2014. A two-time Emmy and three-time Peabody Award-winning filmmaker, Kantor's own films include Cornerstone (HBO) which he co-directed with Stephen Ives, American Masters Quincy Jones: In the Pocket, and Broadway Musicals: A Jewish Legacy.
His multi-part series for PBS include "Make 'Em Laugh” (hosted by Billy Crystal), ”Superheroes” (hosted by Liev Schreiber), and ”Broadway: The American Musical” (hosted by Julie Andrews), which won the Primetime Emmy and was honored with a special screening in Washington on the occasion of the National Endowment for the Humanities’ 40th anniversary.
With Laurence Maslon, he co-authored the companion books to his popular series, including Superheroes! Capes, Cowls and the Creation of Comic Book Culture (Crown Archetype), Make ‘Em Laugh (Twelve) and Broadway: The American Musical (Bulfinch).
Expanding the American Masters brand, Kantor created the podcast American Masters: Creative Spark as well as the theatrical imprint American Masters Pictures which was represented by eleven films at the Sundance Film Festival over a six year period including Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise; Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am; Amy Tan: Unintended Memoir; Ailey, Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool (Emmy winner), Nam June Paik: Moon is the Oldest TV, and Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It, which Kantor executive produced with Norman Lear and Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Mr. Kantor served for over ten years as a nominator for the Tony Awards, and holds a B.A. in Theater Studies from Cornell University and a M.F.A. in Directing from the University of California, San Diego.