There’s going to be a feature documentary about Mister Rogers next year. It’s aptly titled Won’t You Be My Neighbor? and will showcase “the lessons, ethics and legacy of iconic children’s television host, Fred Rogers.”
Fred Rogers led a singular life. He was a puppeteer. A minister. A musician. An educator. A father, a husband, and a neighbor. Fred Rogers spent 50 years on children’s television beseeching us to love and to allow ourselves to be loved. With television as his pulpit, he helped transform the very concept of childhood. He used puppets and play to explore the most complicated issues of the day—race, disability, equality and tragedy. He spoke directly to children and they responded by forging a lifelong bond with him—by the millions. And yet today his impact is unclear. WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR? explores the question of whether or not we have lived up to Fred’s ideal. Are we all good neighbors?
The film will be directed by Morgan Neville, who won an Academy Award for 20 Feet From Stardom.
Mister Rogers Documentary ‘Won’t You Be My Neighbor?’ Acquired by Focus Features
image via PBS