A popular American television program from the 50's and 60's was called "This is Your Life." During the show, celebrities from the world of sport, entertainment, or politics would reminisce with the host about their life of achievement. The producers would invariably invite some one who knew the famous person as a child to tell an embarrassing story about the celebrity. More than mere nostalgia, these anecdotes served to humanize the celebrity and show that they are "really just like the rest of us."

The Salk Institute in La Jolla, CA

Today, with the arrival of inexpensive digital video equipment, the genre of biographical documentary filmmaking has become quite popular. Sons and daughters have embarked on a journey of self-discovery by re-examining the careers of their famous parents. Archival film, video, and interviews with colleagues help unravel the layers of mystery that surround the private lives of public figures. By learning more about their parents, the amateur filmmaker hopes to find out more about themselves.

Kahn with students at Univ. of Pennsylvania

One such film in the "This is Your Life" genre is the 2004 film about architect Louis I. Kahn titled "My Architect." His son Nathaniel was born out of wedlock as a result of an affair his father began while in his 60's. Kahn was married at the time and had children with three different women. Nathaniel was 11 at the time of his father's death and had few memories of his famous father.

Nathaniel and Louis I Kahn

In "My Architect," Kahn Jr. embarks on a journey of personal discovery. Through interviews with professional colleagues such as: IM Pei, Frank Gehry, and Philip Johnson; Kahn uncovers the genius and not-so-flattering aspects of his father's complex personality. The most revealing interviews and emotional interviews are with Nathaniel's mother and the mother of his half-sister. These women put on a brave face out of respect for their deceased lover, but cannot hide the hurt behind the smiles.

Abel Family Portrait

Another recent film of personal discovery (though much less painful), was made by Jenny Abel, the daughter of media prankster Alan Abel. Her documentary, "Abel Raises Cain," had its premiere at the 48th San Francisco International Film Festival. Armed with a wealth of video clips from years of TV appearances, Abel portrayed her father as a master of deception. Over the years and on countless news and public affairs programs, the elder Abel would pass himself off as a spokesperson for a variety of bogus concerns, such as: the anti-breast-feeding movement, the sponsor of euthanasia cruises and as the founder of "Omar's School of Begging."

Jenny and Alan Abel in Wash. DC

Abel arrived on the scene at a time when cable news was coming into the fore. He quickly realized that the format was inherently open to fraud, mis-leading 'expert' opinion, and spin doctoring. He would stage elaborate ruses that landed him on the front page of tabloid newspapers and cable news programs where fact-checking took second place to sensation and titillation. Jenny Abel's challenge was to discover the man behind the deception, and the resulting journey is highly entertaining to watch.

Haigh-Ashbury resident 1968.

In "Following Sean," filmmaker Ralph Arlyk turned the tables on the parent/child dynamic. In the film (another SFIFF debut), Arlyk is the adult who turned his camera on a four-year old resident of San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury. Sean lived in the apartment above Arlyk with his parents and extended family during the late Sixties when traditional social values were questioned. Arlyk made a student film about the life of a bare-foot boy who seemed to reflect the care-free attitude of a new generation. The film stirred controversy due to its frank portrayal of drug use and the permissive values of the hippy culture.

Four-year old Sean

Thirty-five years on, Arlyck reconnected with the subject of his film to document the result of his unusual upbringing and reflect upon his own journey in life. Arlyck discovered that Sean did not grow into the counter-culture (despite his parent's influence), rather he turned back to the mainstream as an adult, got married, started a family of his own, and joined the electrician's union. At the end of the day, it was Arlyck who adopted many of the trappings of 'alternative culture' by rejecting a traditional career to pursue the life of an artist.

Ralph and Sean in 2005