Famed documentary filmmaker Ken Burns reportedly sparked intellectual drama this week after skipping out of an in-person look to simply accept an award at a prestigious author’s convention.
The place did he go as an alternative? An elite mens-only camp in Sonoma County.
The 2026 Solar Valley Convention — held in Idaho — had introduced that the legendary filmmaker could be honored with the Solar Valley Writers’ Convention “Author within the World” Prize.
It comes not solely with accolades however a $20,000 prize. Previous winners of the distinguished award embody Salman Rushdie, Margaret Atwood, and Abraham Verghese.
“For nearly half a century, he has instructed us the story of America by among the most acclaimed historic documentaries ever made, together with The Civil Conflict, Baseball, Jazz, The Roosevelts: An Intimate Historical past, The Vietnam Conflict, Nation Music, and The American Buffalo,” the announcement examine his honor.
The discharge stated Burns would “speak about his ardour for the documentary type and, in dialog with Pulitzer Prize-winning navy historian Rick Atkinson, inform us about his newest undertaking on the Revolution,” our 250th Anniversary and extra.
Regardless of saying the film maker could be receiving his award and giving a presentation, the newest program revealed stated Burns could be there solely nearly.
Volunteers on the convention stated Burns did a quick Zoom into the occasion with a fast acceptance speech, per The San Francisco Customary. A rep for the convention confirmed Burns was alleged to be there in individual and reportedly was unable to attend for “private causes.”
The rationale for his no-show was as a result of he reportedly opted to attend the secretive gathering on the Bohemian Grove alongside the Russian River in Monte Rio as an alternative.
It’s an annual gathering of the Bohemian Membership, which incorporates huge identify members like US Supreme Courtroom Justice Clarence Thomas, and David Koch, amongst others, per a photograph linked just a few years again.
Two individuals who attended this 12 months’s occasion stated Burns had an excellent purpose for not attending the convention after being picked to current this 12 months’s “Lakeside Discuss,” giving a chat on the American Revolution.
“After you have been requested to offer certainly one of these talks, it’s not one thing you’ll say no to,” one insider instructed the outlet. “Lakeside Talks are one of many highest honors in all of Bohemia.”
The mens-only membership was based in 1872, per the Nationwide Parks Service
“It was fashioned by newspapermen, artists, actors and musicians in San Francisco in 1872,” per NPS.
“They had been a bunch of men with a special perspective than most, who preferred flaunting it in one another’s firm.”
“In September 1892, the membership held their annual midsummer encampment on this a part of the woods, maybe a religious, forest frolic precursor to Burning Man,” it added.
The names behind the secretive gatherings had been reportedly launched earlier this 12 months and will be searched — providing the general public a uncommon glimpse on the energy brokers who’ve lengthy met away from prying eyes.
The California Publish reached out to Burns representatives for additional remark.
