Documentarian Marina Zenovich is adept at exploring the lives of complicated men. From Lance Armstrong to Roman Polanski to Robin Williams, the two-time Emmy winner has tackled subjects who have summited the heights of their professions and endured the humiliating depths as well. Her latest protagonist, former California Gov. Jerry Brown, fits the bill precisely, having done what no other politician has done lead the countrys most populous and economically vital state over four terms.
But Brown had his failures too. The progressive Democrat fell short three times as a presidential candidate including a contentious bid for White House in 1992 that saw him politically bludgeoned by the more moderate Clintons. With Jerry Brown: The Disrupter, which bows tonight on PBS, Zenovich takes the viewer through the California icons improbable arc, first elected governor at 36 years old and again at 72 with an Oakland mayor stint in between. The director enjoys a unique vantage when it comes to Brown. Her father was the late George Zenovich, an influential Democrat who served in both the California State Assembly and Senate, and shes known Brown since her teen years.
Variety caught up with Zenovich ahead of the films debut to discuss his legacy as well as her upcoming Amazon docuseriesDesperately Seeking Soulmate: Escaping Twin Flames Universe, based on journalist Alice Hines investigative feature in Vanity Fair.As for her ultimate goal with Disrupter, the critically acclaimed filmmaker says: If I can get young people to see the journey Jerry Brown went on and be inspired to run for office or work in politics, I feel like Ive done my job.
How did this project come about?
I wanted to make a version of this film for a very long time, since the 2000s, and my initial idea was to follow him when he was in office. When I saw Weiner, I was like, Oh my God, this is what I need. You need that total access. And because my parents knew him and my dad served under him, I could have had that access. At first, he said yes, and it was like You wanna be in the room when policy is happening? Then it was a no.
When did you start working on this iteration of the film, which is more of a reflection-on-a-career than an in-the-moment story?
When we were editing LANCE. But Ive always had it on my backburner. We put it together in 2017, got money in 2018. Then COVID happened. And its finally coming out in 23.
Why should we be thinking about Jerry Browns political career right now amid this very surreal political moment were all living in?
Its not so much his political career we should be thinking about. Its more his political sensibility and the fact that they dont make people like this anymore. He has such a strong moral fiber. Its so important that people remember what it was like before, when Democrats and Republicans used to reach across the aisle and work together. Jerry especially Jerry 2.0, the second time he was governor really showed how to do that. Our political scene right now seems straight out of a cartoon because everything is so ridiculous. I cant even talk about politics. Its so upsetting.
Whats your overall sense of Jerry?
Hes a total leader. He was not without fault. Hes human, and thats what we tried to show. You can be a leader and still be human. I dont know who there is out there who is like him. I mean, hes really one of a kind, and I think a lot of people miss his governing style and the fact that hes a grown up. I think were lacking grown-ups with real vision and intelligence and politicians who are doing things for the right reasons.
You speak very fondly of him. At the same time, he seems like a difficult interview. Quite cantankerous. How did you navigate that?
Jerry is notorious for being a difficult interview. I think he was harder for me than other people because hed known me since I was a teenager. Youre always trying in interviews to get people to surprise themselves, say something interesting, get emotional. Everything I was trying to do, he was not interested in. That was very hard. At the premiere in San Francisco, a lot of his family was there, and they went nuts over the opening of the film [when Brown is growing irritated over the questions]. Theyre like, Oh my God, I thought it was just me. I thought he just talked to me like this. Of course I thought it was just me [laughs]. Hes a man of ideas and doesnt have time for anything else. And thats fine. Thats who he is. I kept it in there because it showed just what hes like. I interviewed him three times. He was giving me such a hard time that at a certain point my sound man said, You know, shes a pretty well-known documentary filmmaker. He had to stand up for me. Jerrys an intellectual snob. So, you dont want to get too heady. I worked advance for him in 92. We stayed in touch. I knew his dad [former California Gov. Pat Brown] and mom.
Did you see any parallels between the Brown family political dynasty and the Cuomos?
No, but I am also fascinated with the Cuomos. Im the daughter of a politician, so Im forever fascinated by politicians. I saw Mario Cuomo in 84 when he gave that keynote speech at the [Democratic National] convention. He was unbelievable. Ive been following the Cuomos, but I hadnt thought about [parallels], but they are kind of similar.
The footage you have from the confrontation between Jerry and Bill Clinton at the 92 presidential debate is wild as was Hillary later dissing Jerry at the convention. Did Jerry ever reconcile with Bill or Hillary?
I think they did in the way that friendly foes can. What the Clintons were doing in 92 continued to play out for the rest of time. And thats interesting to see just the control they had on the Democratic Party. And Jerry was always kind of an outsider. It was definitely interesting to work on [this film] and then see what has been said about the Clintons since then?
But that doesnt mean that Im necessarily anti-the Clintons, right? Id rather Hillary than Trump. I hate how people dont really trust politicians. I would like faith to be restored in politicians. Theyre humans. Theyre doing the best that they can. Now its just a complete shitshow.
Are there any current politicians who are leaning on Jerry for advice or guidance?
People should. I think a young politician would be smart to pick up the phone and contact Jerry Brown for advice. Hopefully, theres someone out there whos savvy enough to do that because Jerry has a lot of advice to offer.
Going from Jerry Brown to Desperately Seeking Soulmate seems like quite a pivot.
Audiences are more interested in cults than they are in political figures, and thats a bit sad to me. My favorite part about doing Desperately Seeking Soulmate was talking to people who have attempted to find their twin flames and hearing how theyve been taken advantage of or manipulated or are embarrassed because they fell for something like this. Everyone is looking for love and they will do anything to get it. Its fascinating to be a documentary filmmaker and and do these different stories and see what resonates with people. Im always looking to be inspired. And Im looking to interview people who are inspiring.