How to Come Alive with Norman Mailer

How to Come Alive with Norman Mailer is a documentary that traces the unconventional life of the influential American writer. Starting with his youth in Brooklyn, the film explores his rise to literary prominence and his role as a cultural voice of the twentieth century. The narrative examines his private and public existence, focusing on his six marriages, nine children, and the achievement of eleven bestsellers and two Pulitzer Prizes. The production utilizes archive footage and previously unpublished materials, as well as contributions from the subject's family, to provide a detailed account of his era.

The film was directed by Jeff Zimbalist, who also co-wrote and co-produced the project with Victoria Marquette. This 2023 release is the second film in Zimbalist's directorial timeline, following Pelé: Birth of a Legend and preceding Skywalkers: A Love Story. Produced by All Rise Films in the United States, the documentary has a runtime of 100 minutes and features Norman Mailer appearing as himself through archival clips.