Michael Apted s subjects, collaborators shed light on future of documentary series Up After Michael Apted s death last week at the age of 79, he left behind not only his enormous artistic undertaking with Up, but also a nontraditional family unit in his documentary subjects and colleagues.
Every seven years or so for more than half a century, filmmaker Michael Apted returned to what he referred to as his life’s work: documenting the same ordinary people he’d known since they were 7 years old.
Throughout nine instalments of the
Up series which has been called the noblest, most remarkable and profound documentary project in history Apted turned a restrained lens on class, family, work and dreams, both dashed and achieved, in his native England. The programs, beginning with
What Happens Now to Michael Aptedâs Lifelong Project âUpâ?
His documentary series chronicled the lives of its subjects every seven years since 1964. Now the participants ponder whether it can carry on without him.
Michael Apted in 2012. His death last week left the fate of his decades-long project up in the air.Credit.Robert Yager for The New York Times
Jan. 14, 2021
Every seven years or so for more than half a century, the filmmaker Michael Apted returned to what he referred to as his lifeâs work: documenting the same ordinary people heâd known since they were 7 years old.