Neil Hollander was born on May 29, 1948, in the United States, but his family's relocation to France would soon shape his life's trajectory. He went on to earn a Ph.D. from the University of Washington, a testament to his academic prowess.
As a multifaceted individual, Hollander has made a name for himself as a writer, director, and producer in the film industry. His literary endeavors have yielded several books, and he has also curated museum exhibits. Furthermore, he has donned the hats of university professor, journalist, war correspondent, and sailor, showcasing his versatility.
Hollander's passion for sailing led him on an extraordinary four-year journey across the Atlantic and Pacific, navigating a small, engine-less, and electric-free sailboat. Accompanied by Harold Mertes, he traversed an impressive 25,000 miles, documenting his experiences for the documentary "The Last Sailors: The Final Days of Working Sail" (1984). The film's narration, provided by the renowned Orson Welles, adds to its significance.
In addition to his documentary work, Hollander has written and directed two feature films, "Sea Devils" (1998) and "Birds of Passage" (2001),as well as several documentaries focused on modern Myanmar (Burma).
His collaboration with Daniela Creutz on "Nobel Voices" is another notable achievement. This documentary features thirty-three videotaped interviews with Nobel Prize laureates, conducted in various locations, including Lindau, Germany, Washington, D.C., and elsewhere in the United States.
