E-mail a friendJanuary 13, 2004
Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. discusses why he's supporting Howard Dean. Cold Mountain director, Anthony Minghella, tells Tavis how he balances writing and directing the same project.
Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr.
Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr.
No one has better political pedigree than Illinois Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. He has the drive and determination of his dad and is a political star in his own right. Since taking his congressional seat in 1995, Rep. Jackson has made his mark on the nation's landscape and remains extremely popular in his district. He currently sits on the House Appropriations Committee, serving as a high-ranking Democrat on two subcommittees. He also has a history of advocacy. He spent his 21st birthday in a jail cell in Washington, D.C. for taking part in a protest against apartheid at the South African Embassy. He's a Civil War buff and has found time to co-author four books.
Anthony Minghella
Anthony Minghella
A lifelong interest in film paid off for Academy Award-winning director Anthony Minghella. His latest effort, Cold Mountain, leads the Golden Globe race with 8 nominations, including Best Director. An early film fan, Minghella scored free film admission by befriending his neighborhood cinema's projectionist. He made his film directorial debut in 1991 with Truly, Madly, Deeply, earning a number of international awards. His follow-up, Mr. Wonderful, was his first Hollywood production-a disappointing experience for him. Minghella was disillusioned with major studio filmmaking. Despite his feelings, he went on to make The English Patient, which put him on the A-list of directors, and The Talented Mr. Ripley.