http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aruQKXFRYnI

Jane Goodall and Michael Aufhauser remember how they brought chimpanzees in need of rescue to Aufhauser’s Animal Sanctuary in Austria. In a rare, unscripted moment, we see Goodall retain the dignity and eloquence of her copious public videos while laughing and joking candidly; in turn, we see Aufhauser’s admiration and warmth towards Goodall. He says he “never would have dared” hold chimpanzees in his sanctuary if it were not for Goodall believing in him. Goodall says that because of him, the chimps were rescued and allowed to stay in a German-speaking country, a language and culture that they recognized.

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Rare Candid Moment of Goodall and Fellow Conservationist appeared first on Witnify.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=st3c8UTw-6Q

Paul McCartney reminisces on writing songs with his fellow Beatles member, John Lennon. He tells a funny story of a time when Lennon, who was practically blind without his glasses on, mistook a nativity scene for a group of people playing cards for a ridiculous amount of hours outside. McCartney mentions how Lennon was greatly inspired by rock and roll pioneer Buddy Holly–and mentions how they both appreciated how unlike Elvis, Holly wrote his own music: “Buddy wrote and played. And played the solos. He was a self-contained guy, which was what we were trying to emulate.”

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Paul McCartney on John Lennon & Their Love of Buddy Holly appeared first on Witnify.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeqrN3Bfro8

Neil deGrasse Tyson, world-renowned astrophysicist, author and director of the Hayden Planetarium, talks about meeting Carl Sagan for the first time when he was just 17 years old. Sagan, a professor at Cornell University, personally wrote to deGrasse Tyson upon seeing his application to the university, inviting him to visit the campus. During his visit, Sagan gave him a personal tour of the lab, offered him a signed copy of one of his books and drove him to the bus station for his trip home. Of the impact this had on him, deGrasse Tyson notes: “To this day, I have this duty to respond to students who are inquiring about the universe as a career path. To respond to them, in the way that Carl Sagan had responded to me.”

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Neil deGrasse Tyson on the Influence of Carl Sagan appeared first on Witnify.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sg6hJTK61nU

Film critic Alexander Walker discusses why American director Stanley Kubrick was “in awe” of actor and comedian Peter Sellers. Walker says of Kubrick: “Stanley couldn’t write and he couldn’t act”–therefore, Kubrick admired actors who could bring more zest and creative flourishes into their scripted roles, which Sellers could do very well. The two worked together on the 1962 film, “Lolita” and “Dr. Strangelove” in 1963. Walker himself describes his admiration for Sellers: “Peter could assume disguises and he could assume vocal disguises. And he could make Stanley laugh. And that was very difficult.”

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Why Stanley Kubrick Was ‘in Awe’ of Peter Sellers appeared first on Witnify.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjcOrC8iUrA

Immaculée Ilibagiza recalls the start of the Rwandan Genocide on April 7, 1994 by the Hutu majority in Rwanda and going into hiding in a small bathroom because she was a Tutsi. She describes praying to not be caught when Hutus were looking for more victims and not being found: “For me, it was that moment that gave me back my faith.” Ilibagiza describes how through self-reflection and God, she learned to not hate the perpetrators: “I don’t have to hate them for me to find justice”–she is even reunited with a friend, who is Hutu. Ilibagiza says, “When you forgive, you can be objective. And really see that the person who have hurt you doesn’t mean that their whole tribe had done that…what I found when I was able to let go of that anger.”

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Surviving Rwandan Genocide & Forgiving Its Perpetrators appeared first on Witnify.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZseBlzhMKF8

American singer-songwriter Etta James talks about how she sees herself as more than just a r&b singer and discusses the female singers that have inspired her. James says she personally knew Diana Washington and Billie Holiday, claiming, “They led the life they sang about.” She unapologetically explains how her music’s ability to connect with people have a lot to do with her own life being a “roller-coaster” with many highs and lows.

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Etta James on Her Jazz Idols Like Billie Holiday appeared first on Witnify.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4S-ptSDMc2g

Actor Jonathan Winters discusses Robin Williams’s generosity and kindness as a friend, especially during difficult times such as when Winters was diagnosed with cancer. The two both acted together on the popular show, “Mork & Mindy.” Winters says of working with Williams: “It’s like working in a wonderful library with a gentleman who has read all the books and is going to tell you all the books.”

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Jonathan Winters on Robin Williams & His Generosity appeared first on Witnify.

“The drug culture, the hippie elements, the SDS, Black Panthers, etc do not consider me as their enemy or as they call it, the establishment. I call it America and I love it. Sir, I can and will be of any service that I can to help the country out. I have no concerns or motives other than helping the country out…”

In a letter to U.S. President Richard Nixon, Elvis Presley offers his services as a federal agent for the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs. After flying to the White House to personally deliver the letter, Elvis met with the president and was presented with the police badge he coveted. The duo also posed for photos that have become the most frequently requested in the national archive. Who would have guessed the risqué King of Rock completed an “in-depth study of drug abuse and communist brainwashing techniques?”

“Dear Mr President,

First, I would like to introduce myself. I am Elvis Presley and admire you and have great respect for your office. I talked to vice-president Agnew in Palm Springs three weeks ago and expressed my concerns for our country. The drug culture, the hippie elements, the SDS, Black Panthers, etc do not consider me as their enemy or as they call it, the establishment. I call it America and I love it. Sir, I can and will be of any service that I can to help the country out. I have no concerns or motives other than helping the country out. 

So, I wish not to be given a title or an appointed position. I can and will do more good if I were made a federal agent at large and I will help out by doing it my way through communications with people of all ages. First and foremost, I am an entertainer, but all I need is the federal credentials. I am on the plane with Senator George Murphy and we have been discussing the problems that our country is faced with.

Popular image Nixon and Presley’s meeting on January 27, 1972. Source: U.S. National Archives.

Sir, I am staying at the Washington hotel, Room 505-506-507. I have two men who work with me by the name of Jerry Schilling and Sonny West. I am registered under the name of Jon Burrows. I will be here for as long as it takes to get the credentials of a federal agent. I have done an in-depth study of drug abuse and communist brainwashing techniques and I am right in the middle of the whole thing, where I can and will do the most good.

I am glad to help just so long as it is kept very private. You can have your staff or whomever call me anytime today, tonight or tomorrow. I was nominated this coming year one of America’s 10 most outstanding young men. That will be in January 18 in my home town of Memphis, Tennessee. I am sending you a short autobiography about myself so you can better understand this approach. I would love to meet you just to say hello if you’re not too busy.

Respectfully, Elvis Presley

PS
I believe that you, sir, were one of the top 10 outstanding men of America also. I have a personal gift for you which I would like to present to you and you can accept it or I will keep it for you until you can take it.”

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[Text] Elvis’s Hand-Delivered Letter to Nixon appeared first on Witnify.

“I realize that stories in the press regarding my drug use may make you think that this request comes from a desire to parallel our lives. Let me assure you that this is not the case. As a fan and student of your work, I would cherish the opportunity to work directly with you…”

Although Nirvana front man Kurt Cobain and famous author William S. Burroughs collaborated on the EP entitled “The ‘Priest’ They Called Him,” they never had the chance to meet while recording. Intent on meeting the literary icon whose voice he accompanies on the track, Cobain penned a letter to Burroughs asking him to appear in Nirvana’s “Heart Shaped Box” music video–even in disguise. Although the offer was declined, the pair finally met several months before Cobain’s death. The letter:

August 2, 1993

Mr. William Burroughs
WILLIAM BURROUGHS COMUNICATIONS

Dear William:

It’s a bit odd writing someone whom I’ve never met but with whom I’ve already recorded a record. I really enjoyed the opportunity to do the record — it’s a great honor to be pictured alongside you on the back cover. I am writing you now regarding the possibility of your appearing alongside my band (Nirvana) in the first video from our new album, “In Utero.”

While I know that Michael Meisel from Gold Mountain Entertainment (my management company) has been speaking to James Grauerholz, I wanted the opportunity to personally let you know why I wanted you to appear in the video. 

Most importantly, I wanted you to know that this request is not based on a desire to exploit you in any way. I realize that stories in the press regarding my drug use may make you think that this request comes from a desire to parallel our lives. Let me assure you that this is not the case. As a fan and student of your work, I would cherish the opportunity to work directly with you. To the extent that you may want to avoid any direct use of your image (thus avoiding the aforementioned link for the press to devour). I would be happy to have my director look into make-up techniques that could conceal your identity. While I would be proud to have William Burroughs appear as himself in my video, I am more concerned with getting the opportunity to work with you than I am with letting the public know (should that be your wish).

Having said that, let me reiterate how much I would like to make this happen. While I am comfortable letting Michael and James discuss this further, I am available to discuss this with you at your convenience.

Thank you very much for your consideration.

Best regards,

(Signed, ‘Kurt’)

Kurt Cobain”

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[Text] Kurt Cobain’s Letter To William S. Burroughs appeared first on Witnify.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWUhooJ5qWc

French screenwriter Jean-Claude Carrière talks about his experience working with director Luis Buñuel on the 1972 surrealist film, “The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie”–which was re-released in the United Kingdom in 2012. Carrière mentions how coincidentally, on the day the two of them came up with the title of the movie, the French New Wave director, Jean-Luc Godard, passed away. Carrière goes into how French filmmaker Jacques Tati got his foot in the door of cinema before he worked with Buñuel. He remembers how Buñuel’s first question to him was if he drank and enjoyed wine as a means to find common ground with him before deciding to work with Carrière.

The post Luis Buñuel
His Colleague: ‘Working with Buñuel Was Living with Buñuel’ appeared first on Witnify.