Denzel Washington on power, politics and Poitier | American Masters | PBS

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On January 18, 1998, Denzel Washington sits down with actress and director Lee Grant to discuss Sidney Poitier's groundbreaking career and how his work helped break barriers for future generations of Black actors in Hollywood. Conducted for "Sidney Poitier: One Bright Light" (2000).

Watch more interviews from the American Masters Digital Archive here: www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/archive/

Chapters:
00:00 First saw Sidney Poitier
04:35 First met Sidney Poitier
05:48 Poitier's great advice
09:11 "Crossover appeal"
14:18 "Divide and conquer"
17:40 Early identity politics with Poitier
18:54 The state of American in 1998
22:03 Poitier's place historically

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Now in its 39th season on PBS, American Masters illuminates the lives and creative journeys of those who have left an indelible impression on our cultural landscape—through compelling, unvarnished stories. Setting the standard for documentary film profiles, the series has earned widespread critical acclaim: 28 Emmy Awards—including 10 for Outstanding Non-Fiction Series and five for Outstanding Non-Fiction Special—two News & Documentary Emmys, 14 Peabodys, three Grammys, two Producers Guild Awards, an Oscar, and many other honors. To further explore the lives and works of more than 250 masters past and present, the American Masters website offers full episodes, film outtakes, filmmaker interviews, the podcast “American Masters: Creative Spark,” educational resources, digital original series and more. The series is a production of The WNET Group.