How to Come Alive With Norman Mailer

“It makes a case for that late, notorious “literary lion” being a dedicated challenger of convention and complacency, even if his pugnacious public image sometimes overshadowed his achievements.”
– Dennis Harvey, 48 Hills

How To Come Alive With Norman Mailer explores the rollercoaster life of America’s most controversial and bestselling author of the 20th Century, Norman Mailer. Propelled by his tremendous ego and contrarian spirit, Mailer’s ceaseless visibility in the public eye lasted 6 decades, during which he had 6 tumultuous marriages, 9 beloved children, 11 bestsellers, 3 arrests, and 2 Pulitzer Prizes. Prophet, hedonist, violent criminal, literary outlaw, and social provocateur, Mailer’s ideas about love, anger, fear, and courage cut to the core of human nature, are more relevant than ever today, and point to a prescription for waking ourselves up, shaking free of society’s expectations, and coming alive as a people.

The first project with full access to Mailer’s family and their archive, the film unearths a treasure trove of intimate and never-before-seen footage, outtakes, audio recordings, and interviews from throughout his life. Mailer lays himself bare, foibles and all. As a lover, fighter ,and rabble-rouser.

A film by Jeff Zimbalist. Featuring Rudy Langlais • John Waters • Maggie McKinley Oliver Stone • Michael Mailer • Maggie Mailer Peter Alson • Lana Jokel • Dotson Rader Danielle Mailer • James Wolcott • Richard Stratton J. Michael Lennon • Barbara Wasserman • Ron Fried David Denby • Susan Mailer • Mark Anthony Neal Elizabeth Mailer • Daphne Merkin • Gay Talese Stephen Mailer • Jonathan Lethem • Doug Brinkley Carol Stevens • John Buffalo Mailer & Dick Cavett.