Michael Mann Compares Today’s Politics to the ’60s—But Says the Resistance Today is ‘South Park’

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Filmmaker Michael Mann recently shared thoughts on his life’s work and current events while at the Lumière Festival in Lyon, where he was celebrated for his career achievements.

The festival is celebrating Michael Mann’s career with a showing of twelve of his films, including his pilot for the Max series *Tokyo Vice* and his critically acclaimed prison drama *The Jericho Mile*. He will also receive the Lumière Award from French actress Isabelle Huppert later this week.

Mann discussed how his early life influenced his filmmaking. He remembered covering the student protests in Paris in 1968 for NBC, explaining, “That experience really shaped who I am, because 1968 was such a turning point in history.”

He recalled a year filled with significant events that reshaped political and social perspectives. These included the tumultuous Democratic Convention in Chicago, the tragic events in Mexico City, and the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy.

Mann explained that these experiences shaped his filmmaking, including movies like *Ali* (1974) and documentaries such as *Rumble in the Jungle*.

He also pointed out parallels between that time period and today’s political climate in the U.S. Mann playfully compared the current situation to the 1960s, saying the driving force for change and opposition now seems to be found in the animated show ‘South Park,’ which got a laugh from the crowd.

Michael Mann provided an update on the potential sequel to *Heat*, called *Heat 2*. He stated that discussions are still happening, but the project could be underway by the summer of 2026.

He’s eager to try out different types of movies, particularly science fiction. He’s always dreamed of making a big sci-fi film, something he hasn’t had the chance to do yet. He was inspired by French comics like *Metal Hurlant*, which had a major impact on the science fiction and fantasy genres.

Michael Mann’s appearance at the Lumière Festival has been a celebration of his entire career, looking back at his past films and offering a glimpse of what’s to come. The festival’s special events allow audiences to rediscover his important work and see how the themes and ideas he explored starting in the late 1960s continue to influence his films today.

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2025-10-19 12:15