Stuart Samuels is a highly acclaimed and accomplished individual, boasting a multifaceted career that encompasses academia, film and television production, writing, and award-winning documentary filmmaking.
He holds a prestigious Ph.D. from Stanford University, conferred upon him in 1967, and subsequently pursued post-graduate studies at the esteemed Oxford University, specifically at St. Antony's College.
Throughout his illustrious career, Samuels has made a lasting impact as a professor of history at the University of Pennsylvania, a position he held from 1968 to 1981. During his tenure, he revolutionized the teaching of cultural history by incorporating feature films from around the world into his curriculum.
From 1976 to 1981, a renowned professor by the name of Samuels made a groundbreaking contribution to the world of education by establishing and instructing the inaugural academic course at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. This innovative program, which ran for a period of six years, utilized the iconic Festival as a unique learning environment, incorporating a variety of teaching methods such as seminars, film screenings, and complementary activities. The course was specifically designed for students attending Penn's summer school, providing them with a one-of-a-kind educational experience that blended theoretical knowledge with practical applications.
Samuels bid farewell to the academic world in the year 1981, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his professional journey. He embarked on a creative venture with ATI Video, where he utilized his skills to craft and develop the pioneering late-night music video series, Night Flight, which aired on the USA Network from 1981 to 1986. This groundbreaking endeavor not only showcased his talent as a writer and producer but also left a lasting impact on the music video landscape.
Samuels' inaugural feature documentary, a cinematic masterpiece titled Visions of Light: The Art of Cinematography, made its grand entrance into the world of film in the year 1992, garnering widespread critical acclaim and admiration from audiences and critics alike.
In the year 1998, Samuels co-directed and co-wrote the award-winning documentary Hollywoodism: Jews, Movies and the American Dream, a cinematic triumph that left a lasting impact on the world of film.
Fast forward to the year 2005, Samuels' feature documentary Midnight Movies: From the Margin to the Mainstream, a cinematic journey that delved into the world of midnight movies, made its debut at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, a testament to Samuels' skill and dedication to the art of filmmaking.
Samuels' creative endeavors in 2011 resulted in the production, direction, and scripting of RasTa: A Soul's Journey, a feature documentary film that delved into the profound connection between the legendary musician Bob Marley and the core principles of Rastafarianism.
Presently, Samuels is serving as a Co-Producer on a forthcoming feature documentary that chronicles the electrifying live tours and performances of the iconic British rock band The Beatles, an Apple Corps. production helmed by the acclaimed director Ron Howard.
