Sac History Happenings: In History's Spotlight: Joe Carnahan

Sac History Happenings

News and developments in Sacramento and California history

April 22, 2012

In History's Spotlight: Joe Carnahan

Joe carnahan.JPG Born: May 9, 1969

Known for: Sacramento-based director and screenwriter Joe Carnahan has gained acclaim for his movies, including "Smokin' Aces" and "Narc."

Background: A Delaware native who grew up in Detroit, Carnahan moved to Sacramento and took a job in the promotions department at Channel 31. He made short films before completing the independent movie, "Blood Guts Bullets and Octane," which was filmed in and around Sacramento and shown at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival. His breakthrough came in 2002, with the edgy, violent drama "Narc" starring Ray Liotta and Jason Patric. The film, which cost $2 million to make, earned raves at the Sundance Festival. Most recently, he directed "Smokin' Aces," with an ensemble cast featuring Jeremy Piven.

A highlight: "Narc" was a finalist for Sundance's prestigious Dramatic Grand Jury Prize. A filmmaker with an independent streak, Carnahan told The Bee in 2002: "I'll never leave Sacramento. I find it difficult to work in Los Angeles. ... I do what I want to do. I don't answer to some studio flack. I'd rather make small movies about a couple of people than some big blockbuster."

In History's Spotlight profiles of Sacramento newsmakers were published originally in 2007 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of The Sacramento Bee. They were written by Anthony Sorci. Look for them every Sunday in Sac History Happenings.

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California and Sacramento have a long, rich, vibrant history. And our region is blessed with an abundance of historical resources maintained by museums, libraries, archives and societies. This blog aims to alert readers to the latest developments in local/state historical education and research.

Send tips concerning upcoming exhibits, tours, lectures and meetings, as well as new books, magazine articles and online collections to the blog's contributors.

The Contributors:

Michael Dolgushkin

Michael Dolgushkin is Manuscript Librarian at the California State Library History Section. He is co-author of San Francisco's California Street Cable Cars and is a frequent contributor to the California State Library Foundation Bulletin. Contact him at mdolgushkin@library.ca.gov.

Amanda Graham is a Certified Archivist working in the Sacramento Room of the Sacramento Public Library. She earned a BS in History from Southern Oregon University and a MS in Information Studies with an emphasis in archives from The University of Texas at Austin. Contact her at agraham@saclibrary.org.

Pete Basofin is Director of Editorial Research at The Sacramento Bee. He previously worked at The St. Petersburg Times and Columbia (Mo.) Daily Tribune. Contact him at pbasofin@sacbee.com.

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