Michael Hession

My guest this week is Michael Hession, an American lawyer and documentary maker who has recently completed a film about Revd. Brian Hession (no relation) – a cancer patient who fought in the 1940s and 50s against the stigma of illness and who had also been a filmmaker (and whose work I cover in my own Religion and Film teaching and research). Michael tells us how his study of Brian Hession reignited his interest in film noir and we talk in turn about the value of ambiguous endings. 

We learn why Michael doesn’t consider himself to be a nostalgic person per se, and why, for him, nostalgia comprises ‘history plus emotion’. We find out why Michael isn’t nostalgic for the times he lived in but yearns to go back to previous ages. We find out which ones.

Michael was born in a suburb of Washington DC, went to law school and practiced in New York before moving to California. In this very candid interview he tells us why he went into the law and discusses whether he is likely to return to it. We talk about why 2019 is an odd time for both the US and UK (comparing it to the Civil War) and how our political institutions are different, but, we learn, why Michael wouldn’t want to live at any other time.

Michael explains why and how he is devoted to the rule of law and he insightfully applies it to what happened in Florida in 2000, which in turn pre-empts a ‘Butterfly Effect’-type conversation.

In terms of childhood memories Michael recalls going to see ‘The Buddy Holly Story’ and seeing the Jackson Five live on stage, and Michael talks about the importance for him of the phrase ‘The past is great but the future is where it’s at’ before discussing musical biopics and the influence they have on subsequent study in the light of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and Live Aid.

Michael then reveals who the teachers were that inspired him and about the first time he voted in an election (which was in 1992). In turn we discuss Gary Hart, changing political mores and culture, why particular people appeal to him and why it was Brian Hession’s relative anonymity that made him all the more compelling as a figure.

In the final part of the interview we learn why Michael’s memories are not predominantly positive and we talk about what it is that triggers sad memories. He explains why he has fulfilled some dreams but has yet to fulfil others and he discloses why, for him, life is a marathon rather than a sprint and considers what his 13 year old self would think about what he has achieved. At the very end of the interview Michael tells us why he committed ‘Facebook suicide’ and why he would consider himself to be more forward than backward looking.

Please note: Opinions expressed are solely those of Chris Deacy and Michael Hession and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the University of Kent.