Mark Benjamin

{{Short description|American documentary filmmaker}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Mark Benjamin

| image =Mark Benjamin (8281886694) (cropped).jpg

| image_size = 200px

| caption = Benjamin at the 69th Annual Peabody Awards

| birth_date = {{ Birth year and age|1947}}

| occupation = Film director, producer, cinematographer

| nationality = American

| education =

| alma_mater =

| years_active = 1974–present

}}

Mark Benjamin (born 1947) is an American documentary filmmaker best known for the Sundance TV series Brick City{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1442064/reference|title=Brick City (TV Series 2009– )|publisher=|via=www.imdb.com}} and the feature film [http://Slam_%28film%29 Slam]{{Dead link|date=March 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}.{{Citation |last=Levin |first=Marc |title=Slam |date=1998-10-07 |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0139615/ |type=Drama |publisher=Off Line Entertainment Group |access-date=2022-10-14}} His most recent television series, Chicagoland aired on CNN in 2014.

Film and television

class="wikitable"
YearProjectNetworkCreditFestivals and Project Awards
1974Lamp Unto My Feet: My Father's HouseCBSDirector, Director of Photography
1975Cold FrameCBSDirector, Director of PhotographyShown in the Basel Art Fair
1975Lamp Unto My Feet: Twice Promised LandCBSProducer, Director, Director of Photography
1977[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2006142/?ref_=nm_flmg_cin_46 Jerusalem Peace]PBSProducer, Director, Director of PhotographyChicago Film Festival, The Museum of Modern Art - Director's Series
1979Bill Moyers Journal - The People of Nes AmmimPBSProducer, Director
1980Bill Moyers Journal - Women InsidePBSProducer, DirectorAmerican Film Festival - Blue Ribbon
1980Bill Moyers Journal - Barry Commoner: The Politics of EnergyPBSProducer, Director
1980Bill Moyers Journal - Campaign Report: WattsPBSProducer, Director
1980Bill Moyers Journal - Campaign Report: Ronald ReaganPBSProducer, Director
1980Bill Moyers Journal - Campaign Report: Jimmy CarterPBSProducer, Director
1980Bill Moyers Journal - Evangelicals and the RightPBSProducer, Director
1980We are the Guinea Pigs{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/movies/movie/157083/We-Are-the-Guinea-Pigs/overview |title=Archived copy |access-date=2017-02-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306230055/http://www.nytimes.com/movies/movie/157083/We-Are-the-Guinea-Pigs/overview |archive-date=2016-03-06 |url-status = dead|department=Movies & TV Dept. |work=The New York Times |author=Eleanor Mannikka |date=2016 }}PBSDirector of Photography
1980The New Immigrants SeriesPBSDirector of PhotographyNew York Emmy
1981NBC White Paper: Crisis in Black AmericaNBCDirector of PhotographyMonte Carlo Film and Television Festival
1982[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0355076/?ref_=nm_flmg_cin_44 Creativity with Bill Moyers - Performing Arts High School]PBSDirector, Director of PhotographyPrimetime Emmy - WON
1982Portrait of an American ZealotPBSDirector of PhotographyIncluded in the Museum of Modern Art's permanent film collection, Cinema du Real, Carnegie Hall Cinema
1983[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0983205/?ref_=nm_flmg_cin_43 Portrait of America - Puerto Rico]TBSDirector, Director of PhotographyPeabody Award Winner,{{cite web|url=http://www.peabodyawards.com/award-profile/portrait-of-america |title=Portrait of America |publisher=The Peabody Awards |date= |accessdate=2018-09-21}} CINE Golden Eagle
1984Los SuresPBSDirector of PhotographyNew York Film Festival, American Film Festival - Blue Ribbon, Global Village Festival
1985Wall Street ConnectionWCBSDirector of PhotographyEmmy - Outstanding Documentary (nominated)
1985National Geographic Explorer: Smoke JumpersNational Geographic SocietyProducer, Director
1986Frontline - Inside the Jury RoomPBSDirector of PhotographyBlue Ribbon Award, American Film and Video Festival Monitor Award Best Public Affairs Program (nominated) and Best Editing (nominated)
1987National Geographic's Atocha: Quest for TreasureNational Geographic SocietyDirector of PhotographyAmerican Film Festival, Houston Film Festival - Best Documentary Film, Cine Golden Eagle
1988The Secret Government: The Constitution in CrisisPBSDirector of PhotographyAmerican Film Festival, Blue Ribbon Awards, Best Film - WON, News & Documentary Emmy Awards - WON
1988[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0188516/?ref_=nm_flmg_cin_40 Comedy's Dirtiest Dozen]HBODirector of Photography
1988Mondo New York{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093558/fullcredits|title=Mondo New York (1988)|publisher=|via=www.imdb.com}}Island PictureCamera Operator
1988Driving Me CrazyTMGAdditional Camera
1989How to Raise a Drug Free KidHBODirector of PhotographyACE Award - Educational Special (WON){{cite web|author=STEVE WEINSTEIN |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-01-15-ca-250-story.html |title=HBO Leads the Way for Cable's ACE Awards - Page 2 - latimes |publisher=Articles.latimes.com |date=1990-01-15 |access-date=2018-09-21}}
1989BadlandsDirector of PhotographyMonitor Award
1990TakeoverPBSDirector of PhotographySundance Film Festival
1991[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101485/?ref_=nm_flmg_cin_39 Blowback]Director of Photography
1991The Home Front with Bill MoyersPBSDirector of PhotographyduPont-Columbia Award - Gold Baton
1992Damned in the USAPBSDirector of PhotographyWINNER International Emmy Best Arts Documentary 1991, WINNER Silver Plaque Chicago International Festival 1991, WINNER Melbourne Festival 1991, Edinburgh Film Festival 1991, Margaret Mead Film Festival, New York 1991, Amsterdam International Documentary Film Festival 1991, Rotterdam Film Festival 1992, Cork Film Festival 1991, Human Rights Watch Film Festival, New York 1992
1993[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107372/ The Last Party]Triton/ Live Home VideoDirector, Director of PhotographyMill Valley Film Festival
1994Gang War: Bangin' in Little Rock{{cite web|last=Silverman |first=Jeff |url=https://variety.com/1994/film/reviews/gang-war-bangin-in-little-rock-1200409187/ |title=Gang War: Bangin' in Little Rock – Variety |publisher=Variety.com |date=1994-07-31 |accessdate=2018-09-21}}HBODirector of PhotographyCableACE Award for Best Documentary,

Silver Medal for Best Documentary, Houston International Film Festival

1994A Time of AIDS{{cite web|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1993-11-14/lifestyle/9311140340_1_virus-nation-s-blood-banks-lonesome-dove |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402160202/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1993-11-14/lifestyle/9311140340_1_virus-nation-s-blood-banks-lonesome-dove |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |title=First-rate Aids Chronicle Deserves Viewers - tribunedigital-sunsentinel |publisher=Articles.sun-sentinel.com |date=1993-11-14 |accessdate=2018-09-21}}The Discovery ChannelDirector of PhotographyInternational Emmy - WON
1995Talking SexHBODirector of PhotographyNational Emmy
1995VH1's The Goods by Todd OldhamVH1Producer, Director
1996Prisoners of the War on Drugs{{cite web|author=WALTER GOODMAN |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/01/08/arts/television-review-following-drug-dealers-through-the-prison-gates.html |title=TELEVISION REVIEW;Following Drug Dealers Through the Prison Gates |work=The New York Times |date=1996-01-08 |accessdate=2018-09-21}}HBODirector of Photography
1997CIA: America's Secret Warriors{{cite web|last=Slotnik |first=Daniel E. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/tv/show/43794/CIA-America-s-Secret-Warriors/overview |title=Television |work=The New York Times |date=2018-09-17 |accessdate=2018-09-21}}Discovery ChannelDirector of PhotographyduPont-Columbia Award, CableACE - Best Director (nominated)
1997-2001Egg The Arts Show/ City ArtsPBSDirector of PhotographyNew York Emmy Award - series
1998Dead Blue: Surviving Depression{{cite web|last=Scott |first=Tony |url=https://variety.com/1998/tv/reviews/dead-blue-surviving-depression-1200452675/ |title=Dead Blue: Surviving Depression |work=Variety |date=1998-01-05 |accessdate=2018-09-21}}HBODirector of PhotographyEmmy Award: Outstanding Documentary Or Nonfiction Special - WON
1998Naked City: Justice with a BulletParamount Television, Magnum ProductionsAdditional Photography
1998SlamLions GateDirector of PhotographyNew York Film Festival, Grand Jury Prize - Sundance Film Festival, Camera D'Or & Prix du Public - Cannes Film Festival, 1998 Black Film and Video Network's Reel Black Award
1999Thug Life in D.C.{{cite web |last=Dargis |first=Manohla |url=https://www.nytimes.com/movies/movie/177555/America-Undercover-Thug-Life-in-D-C-/overview |title=America Undercover: Thug Life in D.C. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306164443/http://www.nytimes.com/movies/movie/177555/America-Undercover-Thug-Life-in-D-C-/overview |archive-date=2016-03-06 |department=Movies & TV Dept. |work=The New York Times |date=1999}}HBODirector of PhotographyEmmy for Outstanding Non-Fiction Special, National Council on Crime and Delinquency PASS Award, First Place Winner 32nd Annual Media Awards Competition, National Council on Family Relations
1999Whiteboyz20th Century FoxDirector of Photography
2000Jails, Hospitals & Hip-HopProducer, Director, Director of PhotographyUrban World Film Festival, Latino Film Festival, Santa Fe Film Festival
2000Soldiers in the Army of God{{cite AV media |last=Dargis |first=Manohla |url=https://www.nytimes.com/movies/movie/227103/Soldiers-in-the-Army-of-God/overview |title= Soldiers in the Army of God |date=2000 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306080107/http://www.nytimes.com/movies/movie/227103/Soldiers-in-the-Army-of-God/overview |archive-date=2016-03-06 |department=Movies & TV Dept. |work=The New York Times}}HBODirector of PhotographyNARAL Courageous Advocate Award
2000EGG, The Arts Show: Who Am I?PBSProducer
2001Brooklyn BabylonLions Gate, Artisan Entertainment, Canal +Director of PhotographySlamdance (Opening Night film), Hawaii International Film Festival
2001School's InDisney ChannelProducer, Director, Director of Photography
2002Middle School Confessions{{cite web|last=Fries |first=Laura |url=https://variety.com/2002/tv/reviews/middle-school-confessions-1200552095/ |title=Middle School Confessions |work=Variety |date=2002-01-01 |accessdate=2018-09-21}}HBO FamilyAdditional Camera
2002Gladiator Days: Anatomy of a Prison Murder{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0359332/|title=Gladiator Days: Anatomy of a Prison Murder|publisher=|via=www.imdb.com}}HBODirector of Photography
2002The Trials of Henry Kissinger{{cite web|last=Tallerico |first=Brian |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-trials-of-henry-kissinger-2002 |title=The Trials of Henry Kissinger Movie Review (2002) |publisher=Roger Ebert |date= |accessdate=2018-09-21}}BBCDirector of PhotographyAmsterdam International Documentary Film Festival 2002: Amnesty International - DOEN Award - WON, Independent Spirit Awards 2003 - Truer Than Fiction Award - NOMINATED
2003[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0389010/ Hooked: The Legend of Demetrius Hook Mitchell]Director of PhotographyTribeca Film Festival
2003The Blues: Godfathers and SonsPBSDirector of PhotographyVenice Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival
2003Dave Mathews Band: The Central Park ConcertRCA Records LabelCamera Operator
2003RetrospectiveDirector, CameramanEdison Film Festival
2003Going HomeHBODirector, Director of PhotographyContemporary Documentary Series — presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, the Academy Foundation and the UCLA Film & Television Archive
2004On the OutsFader Films, Youth House ProductionsDirector of Photography - 2nd UnitToronto Film Festival
2004The First Amendment Project: Poetic LicensePBSDirector of Photography
2004America Undercover: Back in the Hood: Gang War IIHBODirector of Photography
2004Art in Progress: Philip PearlsteinDirector of Photography
2005Protocols of ZionHBO/Cinemax and ThinkFilmDirector of PhotographyBerlin Film Festival, Sundance, Gold Hugo - Chicago International Film Festival (Best Documentary - nominated)
2005[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0455906/ The American Ruling Class]The Alive MindDirector of PhotographyAired on Sundance Channel
2007The Music in Me: A Family SpecialHBO FamilyDirector, Director of PhotographyPeabody Award Winner{{cite web|author=Username * |url=https://www.namm.org/news/press-releases/hbo-familys-documentary-music-me-wins-66th-annual- |title=HBO Family's Documentary 'The Music In Me' Wins 66th Annual Peabody Award |publisher=NAMM.org |date=2007-04-25 |accessdate=2018-09-21}}
2008Why We Fight NowMilitary ChannelDirector, Director of Photography
2009Brick City - Season 1SundanceTVExecutive Producer, Director2009 Peabody Award Winner,List of Peabody Award winners (2000–09)#2009 2010 Golden Eagle Cine Award, Emmy - Exceptional Merit in Nonfiction Filmmaking (nominated),[17] NAACP Image Award (nominated), International Documentary Association (IDA) 2010 - Continuing Series (nominated){{citation needed|date=March 2025}}
2010Dirty Old TownProducerNew York Independent Film Festival, Royal Flush Film Festival
2010Brick City Season 2SundanceTVExecutive Producer, DirectorTIME - Top Television Shows of 2011 (Honorable Mention),[21] 2012 News and Documentary Emmy for "Outstanding Informational Programming - Long Form" (nominated)
2011The After Party: The Last Party 3CameramanNew York Los Angeles International Film Festival - Best Documentary Feature - WINNER, Duke City DocFest - Freedom of Speech Award - WINNER, Los Angeles Cinema Festival of Hollywood - Best Documentary Feature - WINNER, ThrillSpy International Film Festival - Best Documentary - WINNER
2012[https://www.bet.com/video-clips/pb92rd/obama-documentary-second-coming Second Coming?: Will Black America Decide the 2012 Election]BETExecutive Producer, DirectorCronkite Award - National Network Programming - BET (awarded as part of the network's election coverage){{cite web|url=http://annenberg.usc.edu/News%20and%20Events/News/130306LearCronkite.aspx |title=Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Television Political Journalism 2013 winners announced | USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism |publisher=Annenberg.usc.edu |date=2013-03-06 |accessdate=2018-09-21}}
2013[https://web.archive.org/web/20150323035733/http://www.pivot.tv/shows/jersey-strong Jersey Strong]{{cite web|last=Thomas |first=June |url=http://www.slate.com/blogs/outward/2013/09/13/jersey_strong_on_pivot_a_tv_show_that_gives_former_gang_members_and_lesbian.html |title=Jersey Strong on Pivot: A TV show that gives former gang members and lesbian trial lawyers their due |website=Slate.com |date=2013-09-13 |accessdate=2018-09-21}}{{cite web|last=Wiegand |first=David |url=http://blog.sfgate.com/dwiegand/2013/09/13/tv-review-jersey-makes-a-strong-case-for-reality-tv-on-pivot/ |title=TV Review: 'Jersey' Makes a Strong Case for Reality TV on Pivot - @WaitWhat_TV |publisher=Blog.sfgate.com |date=2013-09-13 |accessdate=2018-09-21}}{{cite web|url=http://www.takepart.com/article/2013/09/13/reality-tv-jersey-strong-pivot|title=TakePart - Stories That Matter, Actions That Count|website=www.takepart.com|access-date=2015-03-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402090601/http://www.takepart.com/article/2013/09/13/reality-tv-jersey-strong-pivot|archive-date=2015-04-02|url-status=dead}}PivotExecutive Producer, Director
2013Flex is Kings{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2393799/|title=Flex Is Kings|publisher=|via=www.imdb.com}}{{cite web|author=MIRIAM BALE |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/04/movies/flex-is-kings-follows-devotees-of-a-new-dance.html |title='Flex Is Kings' Follows Devotees of a New Dance |work=The New York Times |date=2014-04-03 |accessdate=2018-09-21}}Consulting ProducerTribeca Film Festival, Somerville Subterranean Cinema
2014[http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2014/03/us/chicagoland-character-guide/ Chicagoland]{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/07/chicagoland-cnn-review_n_4919648.html |title=CNN's 'Chicagoland' Premiere: Reality Show Glitz vs. Real-Life Grit |work=HuffPost |date=2017-12-06 |accessdate=2018-09-21}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/06/arts/television/cnns-new-series-chicagoland-and-death-row-stories.html |title=Stark Drama That's Found in Real Life - |work=The New York Times |date=2014-03-06 |accessdate=2018-09-21}}{{cite web|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-rahm-emanuel-chicagoland-met-20140425-story.html#page=1|title=Emails show Emanuel aides, producers coordinated CNN 'Chicagoland' scenes|first=Bill Ruthhart, Tribune|last=reporter|website=chicagotribune.com|date=25 April 2014 }}CNNExecutive Producer, Director, Director of PhotographySilver Hugo Award - Chicago International Film Festiva{{citation needed|date=October 2019}} 2014 IDA: International Documentary Association: Best Limited Series Award - Nominated{{cite web|url=http://www.documentary.org/awards2014|title=IDA Documentary Awards 2014|date=15 May 2014|website=documentary.org}}
2016Rikers {{cite web|url=http://www.rikersfilm.org|title=RIKERS – A Documentary Film|website=RIKERS}}{{cite web|url=http://billmoyers.com/story/rikers-premieres-tonight/|title=Watch RIKERS Documentary|website=billmoyers.com}}Producer, Director of PhotographyDOCNYC {{cite web|url=http://www.docnyc.net/film/rikers/|title=RIKERS|website=docnyc.net}}
2016Oceans Warriors {{cite web|url=http://www.vulcanproductions.com/our-work/ocean-warriors/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161126165153/http://www.vulcanproductions.com/our-work/ocean-warriors|url-status=usurped|archive-date=November 26, 2016|title=Ocean Warriors - Vulcan Productions|website=www.vulcanproductions.com}}Animal Planet / DiscoveryExecutive Producer, Director

References

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