Howard Zinn’s landmark non-fiction book A People’s History of the United States is about to be adapted for the screen in an intriguing way by Project Greenlight producer Chris Moore. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Moore will executive produce The People Speak, which will be the name of both a feature length documentary and a mini-series, also drawing from Zinn’s companion book Voices of a People’s History of the United States. They will mix music, readings, archival footage, photographs and interviews, anchored by appearances from some big names including Matt Damon, Marisa Tomei, Viggo Mortensen, Josh Brolin, Danny Glover, David Strathairn and Eddie Vedder. I’m assuming that the stars are being used for interviews or narration, although the article does say they will provide “performances” which might lead one to believe there will be re-enactments of some sort (I doubt it). Zinn himself will also appear on camera and will be executive producing.

The inspiration for the project seems to be connected in some way to Good Will Hunting, which Moore produced and Damon starred in (in the movie, Will name drops A People’s History as being a book “that will knock you on your ass”). According to Moore, “It’s going to be a great piece of entertainment but more importantly something people can watch and learn and remember how great this country has been and how individual people have changed the course of history… It’s going to make them think, laugh and cry and be proud to be American.” That’s sort of an odd statement when you consider that the book doesn’t really paint the U.S. in a positive light, documenting years of oppression, slavery and imperialism. On the other hand, I suppose it is the government that is primarily being criticized as opposed to the people. Either way it is an important book and this could potentially be an important movie. I’m curious to see if they can fit all this information together and still keep it watchable.