History

American Masters

American Masters, committed to producing comprehensive film biographies about the broad cast of characters who comprise our cultural history.

Becoming Yamazushi

14m 8s

In 1986, a small Japanese restaurant opened its doors and became the first of its kind in Durham, North Carolina. Years later, Yamazushi, operated by George and Mayumi Yamazawa, transformed into an experience that many would say is the first of its kind in the American South. Hip hop artist G Yamazawa reveals the essence of his family’s story and the art of being unapologetically authentic.

Episodes

  • HOPPER: An American love story: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    HOPPER: An American love story

    S38 E1 - 53m 3s

    Discover the secrets behind Edward Hopper’s most iconic and enigmatic works. Known for “Nighthawks” and other evocative paintings of American life, Hopper has left a lasting impression on our culture. Meet the man behind the brush, and see how his marriage to fellow artist Josephine Nivison Hopper shaped his art and career.

Extras + Features

  • Explaining the "Moynihan Report": asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Explaining the "Moynihan Report"

    S38 E2 - 6m 4s

    In 1965, Daniel Patrick Moynihan released his report on the Black family, titled "The Negro Family: The Case for National Action." Through structural and cultural analysis, the "Moynihan Report," as it was known colloquially, detailed "the deterioration of the fabric of Negro society is the deterioration of the Negro family." The report caused controversy upon its release.

  • Daniel Patrick Moynihan on going "beyond the melting pot": asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Daniel Patrick Moynihan on going "beyond the melting pot"

    S38 E2 - 2m 41s

    In 1963, Daniel Patrick Moynihan and sociologist Nathan Glazer published their book, "Beyond the Melting Pot," which transformed how ethnicity was viewed in America, from a homogenized country to one of jostling ethnic groups.

  • Moynihan

    S38 E2 - 2m 50s

    Discover the life and legacy of former U.S. Senator and diplomat Daniel Patrick Moynihan. Going beyond the “Moynihan Report,” President Joe Biden, Ta-Nehisi Coates and others reflect on his decades-long fight to end national poverty.

  • Moynihan on working with Nixon across party lines: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Moynihan on working with Nixon across party lines

    S38 E2 - 2m 24s

    Against the advice of his family and friends, Daniel Patrick Moynihan took a job with the Nixon administration as Richard Nixon's domestic advisor. Although Moynihan didn't necessarily agree with all of Nixon's politics, he felt a duty to serve the American public. His impact as domestic advisor was wide-ranging, including creating the Council on Urban Affairs.

  • Edward Hopper's childhood in Nyack, New York: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Edward Hopper's childhood in Nyack, New York

    S38 E1 - 2m 4s

    Edward Hopper was raised in Nyack, New York, where his creativity was fostered by his supportive parents and his childhood home influenced his interpretation of light and space in his paintings.

  • Edward Hopper's career soared as wife Jo Nivison's faltered: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Edward Hopper's career soared as wife Jo Nivison's faltered

    S38 E1 - 2m 32s

    When Edward Hopper first met fellow painter and future spouse Josephine Nivison in 1923, he had not sold a painting in 10 years. Jo, on the other hand, was at her most productive, both showing and selling her artwork. When Jo recommended Hopper's paintings to gallerists, his career began to soar while hers faltered.

  • A closer look at Edward Hopper's "Automat" and "Chop Suey": asset-mezzanine-16x9

    A closer look at Edward Hopper's "Automat" and "Chop Suey"

    S38 E1 - 2m

    Edward Hopper displayed a preference for quieter social commentary with his art. In "Automat," he paints a woman alone in an empty automat, conveying a sense of loneliness and isolation. In "Chop Suey," two women are depicted at lunch without male chaperones, reflecting the newfound independence many women were experiencing at the time.

  • HOPPER: An American love story (EAD + ASL + OC Trailer): asset-mezzanine-16x9

    HOPPER: An American love story (EAD + ASL + OC Trailer)

    S38 E1 - 2m 10s

    Discover the secrets behind Edward Hopper’s most iconic and enigmatic works. Known for “Nighthawks” and other evocative paintings of American life, Hopper has left a lasting impression on our culture. Meet the man behind the brush, and see how his marriage to fellow artist Josephine Nivison Hopper shaped his art and career. This version contains extended audio description and ASL interpretation.

  • Edward Hopper's simple lifestyle with wife Jo: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Edward Hopper's simple lifestyle with wife Jo

    S38 E1 - 1m 56s

    Edward and Jo Hopper lived an extremely frugal life, with just a hot plate to cook on and their living room used as an art studio. Hopper had a reputation for being gruff and unfriendly, while Jo loved to have drinks and chats with friends.

  • Rare interview footage of Edward Hopper on his process: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Rare interview footage of Edward Hopper on his process

    S38 E1 - 29m 8s

    In this rare archival footage from 1964, Edward Hopper joins host and art critic Brian O'Doherty at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston for a conversation about Hopper's process and inspirations, and his belief that "the important element in the picture cannot be defined."

  • HOPPER: An American love story: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    HOPPER: An American love story

    S38 E1 - 1m 2s

    Discover the secrets behind Edward Hopper’s most iconic and enigmatic works. Known for “Nighthawks” and other evocative paintings of American life, Hopper has left a lasting impression on our culture. Meet the man behind the brush, and see how his marriage to fellow artist Josephine Nivison Hopper shaped his art and career.

  • Edward Hopper's work showed a narrow view of New York: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Edward Hopper's work showed a narrow view of New York

    S38 E1 - 2m 40s

    Edward Hopper painted what he wanted to paint, showing no interest in the growing diversity of America or the social movements happening in New York City.

    "It's just almost comical for me to imagine Hopper, still in his button-down at his easel, when you have this great Bohemian culture happening right outside the window," says curator Kim Conaty. "And it's not really reflected in the work."

Schedule

  • Image
    American Masters: TVSS: Iconic

    American Masters

    Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It

    Saturday
    Mar 23

    2 Hours

    The 70-year career of Rita Moreno, one of a select group of entertainers who have won Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Awards.
  • Image
    American Masters: TVSS: Iconic

    American Masters

    Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It

    Sunday
    Mar 24

    2 Hours

    The 70-year career of Rita Moreno, one of a select group of entertainers who have won Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Awards.
  • Image
    American Masters: Moynihan: TVSS: Iconic

    American Masters

    Moynihan

    Friday
    Mar 29

    2 Hours

    The life of long-serving Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-N.Y.), considered to have one of the broadest public careers in U.S. political history.
  • Image
    American Masters: Moynihan: TVSS: Iconic

    American Masters

    Moynihan

    Friday
    Mar 29

    2 Hours

    The life of long-serving Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-N.Y.), considered to have one of the broadest public careers in U.S. political history.
  • Image
    American Masters: Moynihan: TVSS: Iconic

    American Masters

    Moynihan

    Saturday
    Mar 30

    2 Hours

    The life of long-serving Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-N.Y.), considered to have one of the broadest public careers in U.S. political history.
  • Image
    American Masters: Moynihan: TVSS: Iconic

    American Masters

    Moynihan

    Saturday
    Mar 30

    2 Hours

    The life of long-serving Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-N.Y.), considered to have one of the broadest public careers in U.S. political history.
  • Image
    American Masters: Moynihan: TVSS: Iconic

    American Masters

    Moynihan

    Saturday
    Mar 30

    2 Hours

    The life of long-serving Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-N.Y.), considered to have one of the broadest public careers in U.S. political history.

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