Adam Zucker

Filmography

THIS IS A FILM ABOUT THE BLACK KEYS (2024)

A feature documentary about the landmark rock duo, tracing their growth from a basement in Akron, Ohio to the largest stages around the world. The dizzying tale of two childhood neighbors who have toured relentlessly for two decades, and eventually become friends. Director: Jeff Dupre

NEVER LET HIM GO (2023)

A four-part series for ABC/Hulu about Scott Johnson, a young gay American found dead in Australia in 1988 in what was deemed a suicide. His older brother Steve spends the next three decades trying to prove Sydney police were negligent, and eventually gets the case re-opened with unexpected and extraordinary results. Director: Jeff Dupre

BEAUTY ISN’T PRETTY (2022)

A feature documentary about the beauty standard, how it manifests in different societies and the global epidemic of anxiety, body shaming, self-esteem issues, and plastic surgery it leaves in its wake. Filmed in Brazil, Korea and Iran. Editor and Co-Producer. Director: Dori Berinstein  

AMERICAN MUSLIM (2019)

A film about being Muslim in the age of Trump. Five disparate Muslim Americans in New York City deal with Islamophobia and the Muslim Ban, from the first executive order in January, 2017 to the Supreme Court’s decision in June, 2018. Premiere-SF Jewish Film Festival. Director: Adam Zucker

IF THE DANCER DANCES (2018)

A feature documentary about the how a dance can survive in the absence of its creator. Merce Cunningham’s classic RainForest is lovingly and painstakingly brought back to life by the Stephen Petronio Dance Company.  Director: Maia Wechsler

GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY (2018)

A feature documentary about racial inequities within the judicial system of New Orleans. One young man’s journey is tracked, from wrongful arrest to forced plea bargain with the District Attorney, as a cruel and abusive system is laid bare. Director: Harry Moses

THE NEW FIRE (2017)

A feature documentary about the development of Generation-4 nuclear reactors. Two teams of young, entrepreneurial nuclear engineers try to bring their varied designs to the market, in a down-to-the-wire effort to save the Earth from melting down.  Director: David Schumacher

EERO SAARINEN: THE ARCHITECT WHO SAW THE FUTURE (2016)

A feature documentary about the seminal mid-20th Century architect, famous for the TWA Pavilion, St. Louis Arch, Dulles Airport and ground-breaking furniture.  Director: Peter Rosen, Co-producer: American Masters (WNET)

DEATH BY DESIGN (2015)

An exploration of the supposedly clean electronics industry, revealing the global environmental consequences in the making (and discarding) of over a billion cell phones every year. Director: Sue Williams, EP: Impact Partners

THE RETURN (2014)

Feature documentary about a generation of young Polish Jews in their 20s, most of whom were brought up Catholic and not told of their Jewish heritage until recently. The film follows four women over four years who collectively make up a resurgent Polish Jewry. Premiere DOCNYC. Director: Adam Zucker

THE FORGOTTEN PLAGUE (2014)

A film in the PBS American Experience series about tuberculosis, the biggest killer in history, which killed 25% of all Americans in the 19th century. Director: Chana Gazit

KABBALAH ME (2014)

Independent documentary about the filmmaker’s year-long exploration of Jewish mysticism, and its effect on his family and life. Director: Steven Bram

FROM PAGE TO STAGE (2013)

Independent Lens (PBS) about Rajiv Joseph and Terrel McCraney as they work to bring their new dramatic vision to the stage. Director: Robert Levi

GRAND COULEE DAM (2012)

A film in the PBS American Experience series about the history, goals, construction, and eventual outcome of what was the largest construction in the country at its time. Dir: Stephen Ives

MELVIN & JEAN: AN AMERICAN STORY (2012)

Forty years after hijacking a plane to Algeria, Melvin and Jean McNair are exiled in France and coming to terms with their crime and its lifelong consequences. Dir: Maia Wechsler

CAROL CHANNING: LARGER THAN LIFE (2011)

An independent documentary about the actress Carol Channing and her life in the theatre, as she continues to travel, perform and find love at 90 years of age. Premiere-Tribeca Film Festival 2011. Director: Dori Berinstein

LOST BOHEMIA (2010)

A feature documentary about the artist studios on top of Carnegie Hall. Filmed over seven years, the film tells the story of the quirky, idiosyncratic make-up of a unique artists colony in New York, only to be forced out of their homes by commercial forces. Director: Josef Astor, EP: Impact Partners

GOTTA DANCE (2008)

A feature documentary about a group of seniors, ages 59-83 years old, selected to be the new in-court hip hop dance troupe for the New Jersey Nets. A character-driven verite film about aging in America.  Premiering at Tribeca Film Festival, April, 2008. Director: Dori Berinstein

GREENSBORO: CLOSER TO THE TRUTH (2007)

A feature documentary portraying five survivors of 1979’s Greensboro Massacre, in which Ku Klux Klan murdered five Communists, and went unpunished. The characters all converge at the first Truth and Reconciliation Commission to be held in the United States. Premiere at SXSW, Closing Night film of the Full Frame Film Festival. Director: Adam Zucker

HOMESTEAD (10 Days That Unexpectedly Changed America series) (2005)

A historical film about the violent confrontation at the Carnegie and Frick’s Homestead Steel Mill in 1892, for a national series on The History Channel. Director: Rory Kennedy

SHOW BUSINESS (2005)

A theatrical documentary about the backstage view of four musicals as they prepare to open on Broadway. Premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, extensive national run. Co-editor Richard Hankin; director: Dori Berinstein

BROADWAY: THE AMERICAN MUSICAL (2004)

Edited two of six episodes in a definitive series on the Broadway musical for PBS. Series Producer / Director: Michael Kantor

SOUNDCHECK: MUSIC’S NEXT GENERATION (2003)

An hour long cinema verite film examining the lives of five teenage musicians from across America, for PBS. Director Alan McPheely

FREE TO DANCE (2001)

Edited one episode of three-part Emmy-Award winning series comprising a social-cultural history of African-American modern dance, for PBS. Series producer / Director: Davis Lacy

SCHOOL’S IN (2000)

A cinema verite film following six outstanding teachers working in diverse school environments for Disney, directed by Mark Benjamin and Jamie Lustberg

AMERICAN HOLLOW (1998)

 A 90-minute cinema verite film about four generations of a Kentucky family living in isolated Appalachia for HBO, premiered at Sundance Film Festival. Directed by Rory Kennedy

THE WEST (1996)

Edited two of the eight episodes in the PBS series chronicling the development and character of the American West, produced by Ken Burns, directed by Steve Ives

RICHARD WRIGHT: BLACK BOY (1994)

90 minute film about the life and times of the author of “Native Son” for PBS and the BBC, directed by Davis Lacy

Additional Editing Credits

The Best, Worst Thing that Ever Could Have Happened (2016)

 Additional Editing, Directed by Lonny Price

The Only Real Game (2013)

Additional Editing. Directed by Mirra Bank

Dear Mandela (2012)

Producing Consultant. Directed by Dara Kell

Follow the Leader (2012)

Story Editor. Directed by Jonathan Goodman Levitt

Traces of the Trade (2008)

Story Editor. Directed by Katrina Browne

No Bigger Than a Minute (2007)

Fine Cut Editor, Directed by Steve Delano

Sketches of Frank Gehry (2006)

Additional Editing, Directed by Sydney Pollack

A Boy's Life (2002)

Additional Editing, Directed by Rory Kennedy

Director / Producer

American Muslim (2019)

A film about being Muslim in the age of Trump. Premiered at San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, center of a panel at the Sundance Film Festival, played nationally.

The Return (2014)

A film about being young and Jewish in Poland today, following four women exploring their recently discovered identity over four years. Premiered Margaret Mead Film Festival, screened in over 70 festivals, museums, universities and cinemateques  over 12 countries.

GREENSBORO: CLOSER TO THE TRUTH (2007)

Film about the first Truth and Reconciliation Commission in the U.S.  Premiered at South by Southwest; closing night Full Frame, screened at over 25 film festivals. Award Winner-Best Feature, Rome International Film Festival; Best Documentary-dead Center Film Festival, Oklahoma City.

HARLEM SONG (2002)

Produced thirty videotape interviews for a multi-media musical revue by George C. Wolfe at the Apollo Theater. Show premiered in July 2002. Co-Producer Madison Davis Lacy

FREE TO DANCE (2001)

A three-hour series with a social-cultural focus tracing the African American tradition in modern dance. Aired on WNET June, 2001. Produced and directed the third program; co-writer of the series with Madison Davis Lacy.

Co- Producer

BEAUTY ISN’T PRETTY (2022)

Grants and Awards

Grants:

Sundance Documentary Fund; Southern Humanities Media Fund; New York State Council on the Arts; Jerome Foundation; Foundation for Jewish Culture; Taube Foundation for Jewish Culture; Koret Foundation; Puffin Foundation; Robeson Fund; Wellspring Foundation.

Awards:

Best Feature-Audience Award, Rome International Film Festival (GREENSBORO)
Best Documentary, Dead Center Film Festival (GREENSBORO), Jacob Blaufarb Award, Tamiment Library, NYU—Outstanding Documentary

Teaching

Workshops and Seminars: Strasberg Institute, New York; IFP Rough Cut Labs; Downtown Community Television; Rockport Film and Television Workshops, Maine; Millennium Film Workshop, NY; Fleming School; NY

Master Classes, Visiting Artist: Brooklyn College; Dartmouth College; Vassar College; Ohio State University; University of Virginia; Smith College; Adelphi College;  University of Colorado; Williams College; University North Carolina; South Florida University; Bloomfield College; Binghamton University

Education

BA in Filmmaking, Binghamton University. Received highest departmental award and university-wide academic honors