New Documentary Sheds Light On Norman Malone's Remarkable Story
WDCB’s Gary Zidek catches up with retired Chicago Tribune music critic Howard Reich to talk about FOR THE LEFT HAND, the documentary he wrote and co-produced.
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“We want to take this film out into communities, out into these institutions. So, that for people watching, it will be an artistic experience, a musical experience, but also a life lesson experience. An example that Norman is setting for the rest of us, that almost anything is possible if you decide to do it.” - FOR THE LEFT HAND writer Howard Reich talking about his long-term hopes for the documentary.
FOR THE LEFT HAND writer and co-producer Howard Reich
The remarkable, true story of a Chicago man’s perseverance is the subject of a new documentary that’s currently making the rounds on the film festival circuit. FOR THE LEFT HAND shines a light on the efforts of Norman Malone, a retired music teacher with an enduring love of the piano and a painful secret.
For over 30 years, Malone was the choir teacher at Lincoln Park High School, inspiring generations of young voices. But his passion for the piano wasn’t as well known, in large part because Malone is unable to use his right hand and right foot. And even fewer people were aware of the dark incident from Malone’s childhood that caused the condition. And that’s probably the way things would have remained, if two of Malone’s neighbors had not crossed paths with Chicago Tribune critic Howard Reich in 2015.
Reich (who retired from the Tribune earlier this year) wrote a series of stories on Malone six years ago. The pieces revealed that 10-year-old Norman Malone and his two younger brothers were attacked by their father with a hammer in 1948. Each of the boys survived, but suffered severe injuries. The attack altered Malone’s life, but didn’t dampen his love of music. Reich’s pieces ended up generating a significant amount of attention, which opened up new avenues for Malone.
Sensing that there was more to this story, Reich reached out to the Oscar-nominated production company Kartemquin Films with an idea for a documentary. The resulting film, FOR THE LEFT HAND, has been playing at festivals all over the country this year, including the recently held Chicago International Film Festival.
Norman Malone
