Henry Fonda for President

This documentary essay explores the history and identity of the United States through the career and life of actor Henry Fonda. By examining the roles he played, the film looks at the tension between Fonda's public image as a symbol of American ideals and his own private sense of anonymity. It presents the actor as a lens through which the complexities and contradictions of the twentieth century are viewed.

Directed by Alexander Horwath, the production was a collaboration between Germany and Austria involving ZDF, ARTE, and Mischief Films. The film utilizes archive footage featuring Henry Fonda and appearances by Robert De Niro, Jane Fonda, Peter Fonda, Jodie Foster, and John Hinckley Jr. With a runtime of 185 minutes, the work blends biographical elements with a broader narrative about the American experience.