Woody Allen takes part in PBS documentary about his work and life

Woody Allen, the notoriously shy and reclusive filmmaker, has agreed to participate in a two-part American Masters PBS documentary about his life and work, due to air Nov. 20 and 21.

The documentary’s producer, Robert Weide, says he began urging the filmmaker — who usually declines interviews and lifetime achievement awards — to cooperate in 2008, the LA Times reports.  

It’s unclear if Allen, 75 — who the Times writes is "private personally and professionally due to what one of his favorite actresses, Scarlett Johansson calls a 'crippling shyness' " — will discuss personal controversies, such as his marriage to Soon-Yi Previn, the adopted daughter of his former lover Mia Farrow. 

But it seems that Woody Allen devotees will be treated to plenty of nostalgia in PBS' "Seriously Funny – The Comic Art of Woody Allen."

The documentary will feature vintage clips of Allen performing stand-up on variety shows in the 1960s, show him visiting his old New York neighborhood and showcase clips from several of his landmark movies, including "Annie Hall," "Manhattan" and "Match Point."

"This is the Woody doc everybody has been waiting for," said Susan Lacy, executive producer of the American Masters series, according to a preview on the PBS website. 

Weide, an Emmy and Golden Globe winner who directed and produced "Curb Your Enthusiasm," reportedly said:

"Woody Allen was always the big get for me. The prolific nature of Woody’s output has provided me with an embarrassment of riches. In fact, Woody will have made three features just in the time it’s taken me to make this one documentary."

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/culture-lifestyle/entertainment/110801/woody-allen-movies-cinema-films-annie-hall-manhattan-mia-farrow