USA/2023–directed by Jeff Zimbalist | 102 min.

The first film project with full access to Mailer’s family and archive of never-before-seen footage, outtakes, audio recordings, and interviews. How to Come Alive explores the rollercoaster life of the writer, literary outlaw, and unrepentant social provocateur Norman Mailer, whose very public life included six marriages, nine children, 11 bestsellers, four feature films, three arrests, one mayoral candidacy, and two Pulitzer Prizes.

Mailer’s ideas and writings about love, anger, politics, fear, and courage cut to the core of human nature while grasping the joys and challenges of American life. Laying himself bare on film with legendary bluster, humor and occasional self-effacement, Mailer encourages us to think adventurously and speak fearlessly.