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For more than 30 years, John Kiesewetter has been the source for information about all things in local media — comings and goings, local people appearing on the big or small screen, special programs, and much more. Contact John at johnkiese@yahoo.com.

'American Factory' Wins Emmy For Julia Reichert, Steven Bognar

91.7 WVXU | By John Kiesewetter

Published September 16, 2020 at 1:30 PM EDT

julia reichert steve bognar — Jeff Reichert, Julia Reichert and Steven Bognar now have an Emmy Award to go with the Oscar they won in February.

American Factory has won a trifecta.

Yellow Springs filmmakers Julia Reichert and Steven Bognar, who shot the film at a Dayton-area former GM plant, won an Emmy Monday. This follows their Academy Award for best documentary and 2019 Sundance Film Festival trophy for best documentary and Grand Jury Prize.

The Netflix documentary, from the Obama's Higher Ground production company, won the Emmy for outstanding directing for a documentary/nonfiction program for Bognar, Reichert and Jeff Reichert, her nephew.

It was part of the 2020 Creative Arts Emmy Awards presentations being streamed this week leading up to the 72^nd Primetime Emmy Awards broadcast live 8 p.m. Sunday on ABC, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. Here's a list of the Emmy Awards categories and nominees for Sunday night's telecast.

American Factory illustrated the culture clash when Fuyao, a Chinese auto glass company, moved into an abandoned GM factory in Moraine, a Dayton suburb. It showed the frustrations and tensions of former GM employees who were working longer hours for half the pay at the Chinese-run American factory. It also showed some friendships that were forged along the way.

Here's a link to Michael Monk's Cincinnati Edition interview with Bognar and Reichert from Feb. 11, after they won the Oscar.

They also were nominated – but did not win – Emmys for nonfiction program cinematography and picture editing Monday.

Reichert and Bognar also were nominated for a 2009 Academy Award for this documentary about the Moraine GM plant's closure, The Last Truck: Closing Of A GM Plant.

In 2007, the duo won an Emmy for exceptional merit in nonfiction filmmaking for A Lion In The House,a documentary shot about five young cancer patients at Cincinnati Children's Hospital. PBS' Independent Lens broadcast the film.

The Creative Arts Emmy Awards for cinematography, editing, sound editing, and visual effects will be streamed 8 p.m. (EDT) today, Sept. 16. Awards for casting, choreography, voice-overs, music composition and interactive programs will be streamed 8 p.m. (EDT) Thursday.

At 8 p.m. Saturday (EDT), FXX will telecast Emmy Awards for best animated and children's program; TV movie; comedy and drama guest performers; reality show host; and other categories.