The Fog of Truth: Close-Up on Documentaries
Bart Weiss
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A podcast exploring the definition and boundaries of documentary cinema, as well as current releases within the genre.
Available episodes
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May 18, 2023
Pink Floyd X2
Bart, Justina, and John talk about 2 new documentaries centering on Pink Floyd. The first is "Squaring the Circle (the story of hipgnosis)," a film by Anton Corbijn about the legendary company that made some of the most iconic album covers but started by working with Pink Floyd. The second, "Have you Got it Yet? The Story of Syd Barett and Pink Floyd," was made by one of the founders of Hipgnosis, Storm Thorgerson and Rody Bogawa. Storm started the film years ago and passed away in 2013. Bogawa picked it up and finished it.
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Mar 23, 2023
Episode 102 And the King Said, What a Fantastic Machine
Interview with MAXEL DANIELSON & MAXIMILIEN VAN AERTRYCK, the director of "And the King said, What a Fantastic Machine, which premiered at Sundance.
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Jan 26, 2023
Episode 101! Nanook of the North
Bart Weiss and John Wildman go back to the early days of Documentary to celebrate the 101st episode of the Fog of Truth. John talks about the dogs!
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Jan 12, 2023
Season 13 Episode 6 (Our 100th Episode!) The Best docs of 2022
For our 100th Episode, we bring you the Best Documentaries of 2020.
We bring back one of the original hosts Christopher Llewellyn Reed, along with John Wildman and Bart Weiss.
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Dec 29, 2022
Season 13 Episode 5 Queer for Fear
Justina Walford, John Wildman, and Bart Weiss discuss the 4 part series "Queer for Fear" currently running on the shudder network.
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Dec 15, 2022
Season 13 episode 4 Is That Black Enough for you?
Bart, Justina, and John review and discuss Elvis Mitchell's film "is that Black Enough for You?"
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Dec 8, 2022
Season 13 episode 3 The Subject is the Subject
Bart Interviews Margaret Ratliff, one of the subjects in and one of the producers of the film Subject.
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Nov 21, 2022
Season 13 Episode 2 Theaters of War
Bart Interviers Roger Stahl, director of the Documentary Theaters of War
If you've seen Top Gun or Transformers, you might suspect all that military machinery comes with strings attached. This influence is not limited to a handful of movies, though. A vast new trove of internal documents reveals that the Pentagon and CIA have doctored thousands of film and television scripts. Parting the curtains on this world, media professor Roger Stahl engages an array of other stunned scholars, frustrated veterans, PR insiders, and industry producers. He reveals in unsettling detail how the US military-industrial complex pushes a version of history that scrubs the screen of war crimes, corruption, criticism of the nuclear arsenal, racism, sexual assault, assassinations, and torture. From James Bond to Jack Ryan, Captain Marvel to Cake Boss, the creation of this other "cinematic universe" is one of the great PR coups of our time.
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Oct 25, 2022
Season 13 Episode 1- Not Depressing Docs
Justina, John, and Bart try to cheer you up with NOT DEPRESSING DOCUMENTARIES. John talks about FINDING HER BEAT, Bart talks about CAT DADDIES and Justina Talks about BECOMING.
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Sep 24, 2022
Season 12 Episode 7 Moonage Daydream
Bart and John Discuss the Documentary experience that is Moonage Daydream.
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Sep 3, 2022
Season 12 Episode 6 LABOR!
Justina and Bart talk about the role of labor in the past and the present and discuss films that deal with labor.
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Jun 30, 2022
Season 12 Episode 5 Abortion
John Justina and Bart DIscuss documentaries that deal with Abortion rights.
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Jun 9, 2022
Season 12 Episode 4 GUNS!
John, Justina, and Bart talk about gun documentaries.
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May 16, 2022
Season 12 Episode 3 Category Woman
Justina John and Bart talk about "Catagory: Woman" a film that played at Hot Docs, there are some hot takes.
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May 1, 2022
Season 12 Episode 2 Fireboys
Justine and Bart talk about the film Fireboys and have an interview with one of the directors Jake Hochendoner
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Apr 9, 2022
Season 12 E 1 Docs in Festivals
Justina, John and Bart talk about films seen at SXSW, Oxford Film Festival, and Thin Line Fest
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Feb 5, 2022
Fog of Truth 1107
Justina, John and Bart have a late-night discussion about Dick Johnson is Dead, Sundance Docs, Tik Tok Docs, Annie Hall, and a funeral with dogs.
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Jan 10, 2022
Fog of Truth Episode 1106 Procession
John, Justina, and Bart talk about Robert Greens's Procession, Sundance, and industrial Musicals.
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Dec 31, 2021
Episode 1105 The Best of 2021
Justina, John, and Bart discuss their top 10 documentary lists of 2021, and former Fog of Truth co-host Christopher Llewellyn Reed chimes in his updates about him, his top 10 list, and his love life.
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Dec 17, 2021
Season 11 Episode 4 The Beatles Get Back
John Bart and Guest Host Bruce Richardson talk Beatles
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Nov 27, 2021
Fog Truth Season 11 Episode 3
John, Justina, and Bart talk about The Neutral Ground
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Nov 18, 2021
Fog of Truth Season 11 Episode 2
John Justina and Bart interview Keith Maitland about his new film "Dear Mr. Broady"
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Nov 2, 2021
The Fog of Truth Season 11 Episode One Roadrunner
We are back, with new hosts Justina Walford and John Wildman. This week we review Morgan Neville's "Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain"
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Feb 26, 2021
Bonus Episode: Slamdance 2021
In this bonus episode, we invite back our former cohost Summre Garber to talk about the documentary slate at the 2021 Slamdance Film Festival, where she is co-captain of the documentary-features program. Then we all discuss, in depth, the following three films: Code Name: Nagasaki, Everyone Wants to Be the Next Weismann and Holy Frit. This episode marks the departure of Chris Reed as permanent cohost, leaving Bart Weiss in charge of the future. Should be fun! Enjoy!
Group Review Documentaries:
* Code Name: Nagasaki (Fredrik S. Hana, 2021)
* Everyone Wants to Be the Next Weismann (Alberto Triano, 2020)
* Holy Frit (Justin S. Monroe, 2021)
Other Films/Series Mentioned:
* Bleeding Audio (Chelsea Christer, 2020)
* Dick Johnson Is Dead (Kirsten Johnson, 2020)
* Firebones (Greg Brownderville/Bart Weiss, 2021)
* 306 Hollywood (Elan Bogarín/Jonathan Bogarín, 2018)
* Workhorse Queen (Angela Washko, 2021)
Links to reviews by Christopher Llewellyn Reed:
* Hammer to Nail…
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Dec 23, 2020
Bonus Episode: Best Documentaries of 2020
In this bonus episode, cohosts Bart and Chris revisit their favorite documentaries of 2020, and then invite, each in turn, six guest hosts from the past year to chat about their own favorites. Those guests, in alphabetical order, are: Hannah Buchdahl, Sandie Angulo Chen, Leslie Combemale, Roxana Hadadi, Lisa Sanchelo and Debra Zimmerman. Chris and Bart each gave a Top 10, while our guests each listed a Top 5. Those lists follows, below, in the order given on the episode. Enjoy, and see you in 2021!
Chris’s List (in alphabetical order):
* Boys State (Amanda McBaine/Jesse Moss)
* Capital in the Twenty-First Century (Justin Pemberton)
* Collective (Alexander Nanau)
* Crip Camp (James Lebrecht/Nicole Newnham)
* Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President (Mary Wharton)
* John Lewis: Good Trouble (Dawn Porter)
* Mayor (David Osit)
* 76 Days (Hao Wu/Weixi Chen/Anonymous)
* Space Dogs (Elsa Kremser/Levin Peter)
* A Thousand Cuts (Ramona S. Diaz)
Bart’s List (in alphabetical…
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Nov 11, 2020
Episode 1006: White Noise / American Dharma
We wrap up Season 10 with returning guest host Anuradha Rana (Associate Professor, School of Cinematic Arts, DePaul University) as we review Daniel Lombroso's White Noise, a profile of some of the current leading figures among the alt-right. This leads to a discussion of the dangers of turning one's lens on problematic ideologues, given how the camera may amplify their message even as it deconstructs and criticizes it. From there, Bart and Chris interview the great Errol Morris, whose American Dharma offers a portrait of right-wing activist Steve Bannon. We've wanted to have Morris on an episode since we started, given how we named our podcast partly in homage to his The Fog of War. Though occasionally contentious, as Chris questions Morris on his approach to Bannon, our conversation proves fascinating and respectful. What a great way to end the season! Listen in and enjoy.
Group Review Documentary:
WHITE NOISE (Daniel Lombroso, 2020)
Available now on demand. Clips provided courte…
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Nov 4, 2020
Episode 1005: Citizen Bio / Picture a Scientist
We have our second new guest host of the season join us this week: Inkoo Kang, formerly of Slate and now of The Hollywood Reporter. Together, we review the new Showtime documentary Citizen Bio, which profiles the late Aaron Traywick and his (not so) merry band of biohackers at Ascendance Biomedical, and pair that with an interview that Bart and Chris conduct with Sharon Shattuck, one of the directors of Picture a Scientist, an examination of pervasive gender bias in the sciences. Yes, the nation may be riven by election madness and discord, but we thought we'd take a break from our recent political coverage to talk about different topics. Enjoy!
Group Review Documentary:
CITIZEN BIO (Trish Dolman, 2020)
Playing now on Showtime.
Film Featured in Interview Portion:
PICTURE A SCIENTIST (Ian Cheney/Sharon Shattuck, 2020)
Currently only available for educational and private group screenings. One can request a screening at www.pictureascientist.com. Sign up for mailing list on the webs…
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Oct 28, 2020
Episode 1004: Totally Under Control / The Fight
This week, as the conclusion to the 2020 election season looms, and everyone anxiously awaits the results, we examine the grotesque incompetence, selfishness and venality of Donald Trump and others in his administration, as evidenced by their response to the coronavirus pandemic, through the lens of Alex Gibney's latest documentary, Totally Under Control (made with co-directors Ophelia Harutyunyan and Suzanne Hillinger). New guest host Shilyh Warren makes her debut to help us express our outrage. Then, Chris interviews filmmakers Eli B. Despres, Josh Kriegman and Elyse Steinberg about their profile of the ACLU, The Fight, which we previously reviewed in Episode 906. Listen in and then, please, if you have not done so, already … VOTE!
Group Review Documentary:
TOTALLY UNDER CONTROL (Alex Gibney/Ophelia Harutyunyan/Suzanne Hillinger, 2020)
Available on VOD from NEON.
Film Featured in Interview Portion:
THE FIGHT (Eli B. Despres/Josh Kriegman/Elyse Steinberg, 2020)
Available on…
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Oct 21, 2020
Episode 1003: The Social Dilemma / Feels Good Man
The internet and its many connected sites and apps is a fraught place, filled with algorithms that manipulate the user beyond what she or he comes close to realizing. Both films we discuss this week, The Social Dilemma and Feels Good Man, look at the more sinister aspects of online culture. Returning guest host Jennifer Proctor joins us a for a review of the first, and then Bart and Chris interview the director, Arthur Jones, and producer, Giorgio Angelini, of the second. Afterwards, we all share a film much on our individual minds following the recent passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the rushed confirmation hearings for her chosen successor, Amy Coney Barrett. These are troubling times, so listen in and listen up.
Group Review Documentary:
THE SOCIAL DILEMMA (Jeff Orlowski, 2020)
Available on Netflix.
Film Featured in Interview Portion:
FEELS GOOD MAN (Arthur Jones, 2020)
Available on VOD.
Other Films Mentioned:
* The Abortion Diaries (Penny Lane, 2005)
* Everything You…
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Oct 14, 2020
Episode 1002: Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President / Desert One
Our nation's 39th president, Jimmy Carter, is on the documentary docket this week as we review Mary Wharton's Jimmy Carter: Rock & Roll President, joined by returning guest host Sedika Mojadidi. That film looks at Carter's love of music and how it helped shape both his insurgent 1976 campaign and his time in the White House, revealing the compassionate humanitarian in all his glory. Then, Bart and Chris interview the great Barbara Kopple about her Desert One, which analyzes what went wrong with Carter's attempted rescue of the American hostages held in Iran following its 1979 revolution. Just as much complexity, far less glory (to tragic results). It's a fascinating combination of films, and we hope you enjoy.
Group Review Documentary:
JIMMY CARTER: ROCK & ROLL PRESIDENT (Mary Wharton, 2020)
Available on VOD from Greenwich Entertainment.
Film Featured in Interview Portion:
DESERT ONE (Barbara Kopple, 2019)
Available on VOD from Greenwich Entertainment.
Other Films Mentioned:…
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Oct 7, 2020
Episode 1001: Bird Island / Space Dogs
We are back! We start Season 10 with two documentaries about the animal kingdom: Bird Island and Space Dogs. With returning guest host Leslie Combemale (owner of ArtInsights Gallery), we review the former, and then Bart and Chris interview Elsa Kremser and Levin Peter, the directors of the latter. Given the political season and the upcoming episodes that deal with all of that fraught material, we thought that we would first begin with a look at something else. But stay tuned, as more directly relevant topics to our current time are on the agenda …
Group Review Documentary:
BIRD ISLAND (Sergio Da Costa/Maya Kosa, 2019)
Available on MUBI USA until October 24. 2020.
Film Featured in Interview Portion:
SPACE DOGS (Elsa Kremser/Levin Peter, 2019)
Currently out in theaters and on VOD.
Other Films/Websites Mentioned:
* Alliance of Women Film Journalists
* Birthright: A War Story (Civia Tamarkin, 2017)
* Cinema Siren
* An Inconvenient Truth (Davis Guggenheim, 2006)
* Los R…
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Sep 2, 2020
Bonus Episode: Fog Favorites
In this special bonus episode, the last before we begin our momentous Season 10 … can you believe it? … Bart and Chris revisit some favorite moments from past shows, including: all the previous clip-montage intros; excerpts from our interviews with filmmakers Chelsea Hernandez, Stanley Nelson and Morgan Neville; an excerpt from Bart's interview with Patricia Aufderheide about Fair Use; an opening chatter sequence about Sexy Beast; a Doc Talk about James Bond; and a Doc Talk where guest host Sedika Mojadidi discussed her plans for her then new job as a college professor. You'll hear our former third cohost, the incomparable Summre Garber, in many of the early moments. Enjoy! Thanks to all who submitted suggestions of their own favorite moments from past shows. We'll be back some time in October with more (i.e., Season 10)!
Films Mentioned:
* A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood (Marielle Heller, 2019)
* Becoming Bond (Josh Greenbaum, 2017)
* Best of Enemies: Buckley vs. Vidal…
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Jul 31, 2020
Bonus Episode: Filmmaker Laurens Grant
In this bonus episode, Bart and Chris interview filmmaker Laurens Grant, first briefly reviewing two of her documentaries, the 2016 Stay Woke: The Black Lives Matter Movement and the brand-new Black in Space: Breaking the Color Barrier, before launching into an in-depth examination of her career. Both a director and a producer, Grant has a lot to say about the art, craft and business of documentary cinema, as well as about the challenges of being a black woman in this industry. She offers wonderful insights that are especially relevant to the world of today, so listen in!
In addition, we ask our loyal listeners, old and new, to help us out for the next bonus episode, which will drop at the end of August. Please email us at disinfo@fogoftruth.com to let us know some of your favorite moments – reviews, interviews, Doc Talk, banter and more – from past episodes, and we will put together a compilation of those excerpts for that episode. What a great way to lead us in to our 10th seas…
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Jun 24, 2020
Episode 906: The Fight / A Thousand Cuts
In this final episode of our 9th season, film critic Hannah Buchdahl (of chickflix.net) joins us to review the upcoming documentary on the many battles fought on our behalf by the American Civil Liberties Union in the age of Donald Trump, The Fight. Then, Bart and Chris interview Ramona Diaz about her (also upcoming) A Thousand Cuts, which profiles the challenges faced by journalist Maria Ressa, CEO of the Philippine news site Rappler, under the rule of strongman Rodrigo Duterte. Both films premiered at Sundance 2020, have also just played at AFI DOCS, and together form a bracing call to action to resist authoritarianism at all costs. Care about your freedoms? Then care about these films.
We’ll be back in a month or so with the first of two bonus episodes to drop before the start of season 10. Until then, stay safe and healthy. Do not, however, stay out of trouble.
Group Review Documentary:
THE FIGHT (Eli B. Despres/Josh Kriegman/Elyse Steinberg, 2020)
Available in theaters (if…
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Jun 17, 2020
Episode 905: Jeffrey Epstein–Filthy Rich / Capital in the Twenty-First Century
Money makes the world go round, does it not? Let the capital flow, so its profits may trickle down in a wellspring of bounty for all … except that the greater the flow, the faster it trickles up, away from the masses and into the hands of a rarefied, entitled elite that never seems to stop wanting more. In this week’s episode, Women Make Movies’ Executive Director Debra Zimmerman joins us for a discussion of the new Netflix series Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich, which follows the rapacious, billionaire pedophile’s life and career while giving voice to the women he abused. Then, Bart and Chris interview director Justin Pemberton about his recent Capital in the Twenty-First Century, a rousing, enraging examination of how the world is rapidly heading away from the equalizing tendencies of the 20th century’s middle period. Sad, but true. Now what are you going to do about it?
Group Review Documentary:
JEFFREY EPSTEIN: FILTHY RICH (Lisa Bryant, 2020) (4-part Netflix series)
Avail…
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Jun 10, 2020
Episode 904: Diana Kennedy–Nothing Fancy / Agave–The Spirit of a Nation
This week, we briefly step away from our problems at home (while never forgetting or minimizing them) to celebrate the culinary traditions of our neighbors to the south. Guest host Sandie Angulo Chen (of Common Sense Media) joins us as we review Elizabeth Carroll’s Diana Kennedy: Nothing Fancy, which profiles the titular nonagenarian, British-born specialist of Mexican cuisine. Then, Chris interviews director Nick Kovacic about his 2018 documentary Agave: The Spirit of a Nation, which brings the viewer on a journey to Jalisco, Oaxaca, and other locations in Mexico to explore agave’s place in the economy and culture. Eat and drink your fill!
Group Review Documentary:
DIANA KENNEDY: NOTHING FANCY (Elizabeth Carroll, 2019)
Available now on VOD from Greenwich Entertainment.
Film Featured in Interview Portion:
AGAVE: THE SPIRIT OF A NATION (Nick Kovacic/Matthew Riggieri, 2018)
Available on VOD on Amazon or on SVOD from Kanopy.
Other Films/Series Mentioned:
* The Biggest Little…
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Jun 3, 2020
Episode 903: Becoming / John Lewis–Good Trouble
Our nation is burning, and the fire has deep roots in our past. The police violence against communities and people of color is nothing new, emerging from the legacy of slavery that taints our history. In this week’s episode, with guest host Lisa Sanchelo (of the podcast I Love That Movie!), we review Becoming, the recent documentary about Michelle Obama and her eponymous memoir. Then, Bart and Chris interview director Dawn Porter about her upcoming film John Lewis: Good Trouble, coming out on July 3. Given Congressman Lewis’ participation in the Civil Rights marches of the 1960s, the film is especially appropriate to discuss at this time. So listen in and learn about two great movies to check now and in the near future.
Group Review Documentary:
BECOMING (Nadia Hallgren, 2020)
Available now on Netflix.
Film Featured in Interview Portion:
JOHN LEWIS: GOOD TROUBLE (Dawn Porter, 2020)
In theaters (where possible) and on demand July 3, 2020. CNN will broadcast in September.
Othe…
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May 27, 2020
Episode 902: Spaceship Earth / We Are As Gods
In this week’s episode, we discuss cults (or not) and the science of climate change, de-extinction, space exploration and more, all in a brief 50 minutes, as we review Spaceship Earth and interview directors David Alvarado and Jason Sussberg about their We Are As Gods. Joining us as guest host this time is film critic and fellow podcaster Jessica Baxter (whose “Paid in Puke” is worth a listen). Looking for some exciting times and ideas of how to save humanity? Tune in to our show!
Group Review Documentary:
SPACESHIP EARTH (Matt Wolf, 2020)
Available now on VOD, on multiple platforms, courtesy of Neon.
Film Featured in Interview Portion:
WE ARE AS GODS (David Alvarado/Jason Sussberg, 2020)
Film would have premiered at 2020 SXSW Film Festival. Distribution pending.
Other Films/Series Mentioned/Referenced:
* Bill Nye: Science Guy (David Alvarado/Jason Sussberg, 2017)
* Dosed (Tyler Chandler, 2019)
* Fantastic Fungi (Louie Schwartzberg, 2019)
* Have a Good Trip: Adven…
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May 20, 2020
Episode 901: Natalie Wood–What Remains Behind / Kubrick by Kubrick
Welcome back! We kick off Season 9 with two documentaries about famous film people, starting with a group review of the biopic Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind and then cutting to an interview with French director Gregory Monro about Kubrick by Kubrick, which would have premiered at the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival, had it happened. Joining us as guest cohost is critic Danielle Solzman, of Solzy at the Movies. Get ready for a profound journey into the cinematic firmament!
Group Review Documentary:
NATALIE WOOD: WHAT REMAINS BEHIND (Laurent Bouzereau, 2020)
Is available on HBO NOW, HBO GO and on demand.
All clips from film courtesy of HBO.
Film Featured in Interview Portion:
KUBRICK BY KUBRICK (Gregory Monro, 2020)
Film would have premiered at 2020 Tribeca Film Festival. Distribution pending.
Other Films/Series Mentioned:
* The Art of Directing series (Allan Holzman, 2016-2019)
* The Art of Directing: Frank Capra (https://vimeo.com/186212170, Password = capra)
* The Art…
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Apr 22, 2020
Bonus Episode: The Innocence Files
In this bonus episode, Bart and Chris review the new nine-part Netflix documentary series The Innocence Files and then interview Sarah Dowland, director of the final episode. The series is divided into three sections – ““The Evidence,” “The Witness” and “The Prosecution” – each of which is comprised of three episodes, some of which are linked narratively, as well as thematically, and some of which stand alone. Dowland’s film tells the story of Kenneth Wyniemko, a Michigan man who served 9 years in jail for a crime he did not commit (a short sentence compared to most of the other subjects). A profile as much of the hard-working defense attorneys at The Innocence Project (and elsewhere) as of the poor folks unjustly imprisoned, the series is both an example of fine filmmaking and a call to action to reform the criminal-justice system. Listen in to hear what Dowland has to say about guilt, innocence and … The Innocence Files.
Group Review and Interview Documentary:…
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Mar 25, 2020
Bonus Episode: How to Film Fest During a Pandemic
In this bonus episode, Bart and Chris chat with Melanie Addington, Executive Director, Oxford Film Festival (which was supposed to run March 18-22); Leslie Raymond, Executive Director, Ann Arbor Film Festival (running online March 24-29); and Lela Meadow-Conner, Executive Director, Film Festival Alliance. Together, we discuss the current state of film festivals in the age of COVID-19, and how the move to online screenings is mostly a net positive, at least for now, and how the future might see greater inclusion of online elements, even as we (hopefully) return to something resembling normalcy. The times may be fraught, but we push on, bringing art and films to all who want them!
Festivals, Films and Organizations Mentioned:
* Ann Arbor Film Festival
* Art House Convergence
* Ashland Independent Film Festival
* Dallas VideoFest
* Film Festival Alliance
* Freeland (Mario Furloni/Kate McLean, 2020)
* Oxford Film Festival
* Spenser Confidential (Peter Berg, 2020)
* SXSW…
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Mar 4, 2020
Episode 806: Viral: Antisemitism in Four Mutations / The Monster Among Us
Documentarian and educator Elizabeth Coffman joins Bart and Chris to review Andrew Goldberg’s powerful examination of the resurgent scourge of antisemitism across the globe, the just released Viral: Antisemitism in Four Mutations. Bart then interviews Allen and Cynthia Mondell, directors of the 2008 documentary The Monster Among Us, which profiled antisemitism in Europe 10 years ago. Plus ça change … It may be a dispiriting topic, but we have a spirited conversation about the films and the issue, which should be of concern to everyone, everywhere.
And so concludes our 8thseason. We’ll be back with a few bonus episodes over the next 6 to 8 weeks before we launch the next season. Until then, you can go back through our now significant catalog if you need your fix of the fog. As always, enjoy, and thanks for listening!
Group Review Documentary:
VIRAL: ANTISEMITISM IN FOUR MUTATIONS (Andrew Goldberg, 2020)
Now playing in theaters
Film Featured in Interview Portion:
THE MONST…
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Feb 26, 2020
Episode 805: They’ve Gotta Have Us / Always in Season
Joining Bart and Chris as guest host for a robust discussion of the three-part 2018 BBC documentary series They've Gotta Have Us, just recently released on Netflix, is film critic Roxana Hadadi. We discuss that program’s approach to the history of African American and Black British actors and directors in Hollywood. Then, Bart interviews director Jacqueline Olive about her film Always in Season, which explores America’s tortured legacy of lynching (we previously reviewed the documentary on episode 705). It’s a brutal subject, but one that cannot be ignored.
Group Review Documentary:
THEY’VE GOTTA HAVE US (Simon Frederick, 2018)
Now playing on Netflix
Film Featured in Interview Portion:
ALWAYS IN SEASON (Jacqueline Olive, 2019)
In theaters and film festivals now
Other Films/Shows Mentioned/Referenced:
* The Alpinist (Peter Mortimer/Nick Rosen, 2020)
* Amistad (Steven Spielberg, 1997)
* Chavela (Catherine Gund/Daresha Kyi, 2017)
* Color Adjustment (Marlon Riggs…
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Feb 19, 2020
Episode 804: Miss Americana / Narrowsburg
How high above soar the stars, enchanting us with their blazing glory! Or perhaps we only project such power onto them, and they are merely ordinary beings, elevated by our own desires. In today’s episode, guest host Leslie Combemale (the Cinema Siren, herself) joins us as we review the new Taylor Swift biopic Miss Americana, which just premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival and is now available on Netflix. In addition, Chris interviews director Martha Shane about her documentary Narrowsburg, a tragicomic tale of grifters bedazzling a small town with promises of Hollywood glory. Join us for a look at the pros and cons of fame and fortune.
Group Review Documentary:
MISS AMERICANA (Lana Wilson, 2020)
Now playing on Netflix
Film Featured in Interview Portion:
NARROWSBURG(Martha Shane, 2019)
Now playing in festivals
Other Films Mentioned:
* After Tiller (Martha Shane/Lana Wilson, 2013)
* American Factory (Steven Bognar/Julia Reichert, 2019)
* Analyze This (Harold Ram…
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Feb 12, 2020
Episode 803: 2020 Oscar-Nominated Documentary Shorts / For Sama
Well, the 2020 Academy Awards may have come and gone, but that’s no reason to stop watching the nominated films, even the ones that did not win. In this week’s episode, returning guest host Patricia Aufderheide joins Bart and Chris to discuss all 5 of the Oscar-nominated short documentaries, after which Chris interviews co-directors Waad al-Kateab and Edward Watts (along with al-Kateab’s husband, Hamza) about their collaboration on the (also Oscar-nominated) documentary feature For Sama.
Group Review Short Documentaries:
IN THE ABSENCE (Yi Seung-Jun, South Korea, 28 min.)
Available in select theaters or at www.fieldofvision.org
*LEARNING TO SKATEBOARD IN A WARZONE (IF YOU’RE A GIRL) (Carol Dysinger, UK, 39 min.)
Available in select theaters or through shorts.tv/theoscarshorts/
*This year’s Oscar winner
LIFE OVERTAKES ME (John Haptas and Kristine Samuelson, Sweden/USA, 39 min.)
Available in select theaters or on Netflix
LOUIS SUPERMAN (Smriti Mundhra and Sami Khan,…
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Feb 5, 2020
Episode 802: The Edge of Democracy / Citizen K
Democracy is under worldwide threat, from dictators, would-be dictators and those followers who seek power at the expense of liberty. In this week’s episode, we discuss two recent documentaries about this very trend. First, with guest host Mirella Martinelli – a Brazilian filmmaker living in Florida – we review Petra Costa’s Oscar-nominated The Edge of Democracy, which tells the disturbing tale of Brazil’s takeover by right-wing forces. After that, Bart and Chris interview prolific documentarian Alex Gibney on his latest movie, Citizen K, about formerly imprisoned, and now exiled, Russian oligarch Mikhail Khodorkovsky. These are scary times. Be afraid, be very afraid!*
Group Review Documentary:
THE EDGE OF DEMOCRACY (Petra Costa, 2019)
Now playing on Netflix
Film Featured in Interview Portion:
CITIZEN K(Alex Gibney, 2019)
Now playing in theaters
Other Films Mentioned:
* American Look (Jam Handy Organization, 1958)
* The Armstrong Lie (Alex Gibney, 2013)
* Catc…
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Jan 29, 2020
Episode 801: Slamdance 2020
Welcome to Season 8! In this episode, we invite back our old friend and cohost Summre Garber to talk about the documentary slate at the 2020 Slamdance Film Festival, where she is co-captain of the documentary-features program. We learn what she is up to now and hear about her favorites at this year’s fest. In addition, Bart and Chris interview the directors of two of those movies, Film About a Father Who (Lynne Sachs) and Jasper Mall (Bradford Thomason and Brett Whitcomb). Enjoy!
Group Review Documentaries:
* BASTARDS' ROAD (Brian Morrison, 2020)
* BIG FUR (Dan Wayne, 2019)
* FILM ABOUT A FATHER WHO (Lynne Sachs, 2020)
* JASPER MALL (Bradford Thomason/Brett Whitcomb, 2020)
* LOVEMOBIL (Elke Margarete Lehrenkrauss, 2019)
Films Featured in Interview Portions:
* FILM ABOUT A FATHER WHO (Lynne Sachs, 2020)
* JASPER MALL (Bradford Thomason/Brett Whitcomb, 2020)
Other Films Mentioned:
* Almost Sunrise (Michael Collins, 2016)
* GLOW: The Story of the Gorgeous Ladies…
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Jan 14, 2020
Bonus Episode: Morgan Neville
In this bonus episode, cohosts Bart Weiss and Chris Reed talk with Oscar-winning documentarian Morgan Neville (20 Feet from Stardom), discussing his career and thoughts on the art of filmmaking. In addition, we consider two different approaches to the same topic, comparing Neville’s 2018 nonfiction Won’t You Be My Neighbor? to Marielle Heller’s 2019 fictional A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, each of which take the late, great Fred Rogers as their subject. Listen in for a vibrant conversation on documentaries and more!
Other Films (and One Show) Mentioned:
* Best of Enemies: Buckley vs. Vidal (Robert Gordon/Morgan Neville, 2015)
* Casablanca (Michael Curtiz, 1942)
* California's Goldwith Huell Howser( KCET, 1991 –)
* The Cool School (Morgan Neville, 2008)
* The Devil and Daniel Johnston (Jeff Feuerzeig, 2005)
* Grey Gardens (Ellen Hovde/Albert Maysles/David Maysles/Muffie Meyer, 1975)
* Grey Gardens (Michael Sucsy, 2009)
* Little Dieter Needs to Fly (Wer…
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Dec 23, 2019
Bonus Episode: Best Documentaries of 2019
In this bonus episode, cohosts Bart and Chris revisit their favorite documentaries of 2019, and then invite, each in turn, all the podcast’s Season 7 guest hosts to chat about their favorites. Those guests, in order of appearance, are: Sedika Mojadidi, Betsy McLane, Anuradha Rana, Jennifer Proctor, Sonali Gulati and Patricia Aufderheide. Given how many films Chris and Bart always watch, they each listed ten films, while each guest host only listed five. Enjoy, and see you in 2020!
Chris’s List (in alphabetical order):
* American Factory (Steven Bognar/Julia Reichert)
* Apollo 11 (Todd Douglas Miller)
* The Brink (Alison Klayman)
* Cold Case Hammarskjöld (Mads Brügger)
* Los Reyes (Iván Osnovikoff/Bettina Perut)
* Maiden (Alex Holmes)
* Mike Wallace Is Here (Avi Belkin)
* One Child Nation (Nanfu Wang/Lynn Zhang)
* Pahokee (Patrick Bresnan/Ivete Lucas)
* Tell Me Who I Am (Ed Perkins)
Bart’s List (in alphabetical order):
* Amazing Grace (Alan Elliott/S…
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Oct 30, 2019
Episode 706: Mike Wallace Is Here / This Is Not a Movie
For our final episode of Season 7, we invite Patricia Aufderheide, of American University, back on the show (she was Bart’s interview subject, discussing her role in developing the modern rules of Fair Use, on our August 28 bonus episode). The theme this time is the role of journalism in today’s world (and how we got here), as we review the new documentary Mike Wallace Is Here and Chris interviews director Yung Chang of This Is Not a Movie, about the journalist Robert Fisk. It’s been an exciting season, with a different guest host for each episode. Stay tuned for more foggy truths ahead, first with a few more bonuses in the months ahead, and then with a new season early in 2020. Enjoy!
Group Review Documentary:
MIKE WALLACE IS HERE (Avi Belkin, 2019)
Still in select theaters, and out on DVD as of October 29
Film Featured in Interview Portion:
THIS IS NOT A MOVIE (Yung Chang, 2019)
Currently playing in festivals
Other Books, Films, Shows and Sites Mentioned:
* Cinéma V…
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Oct 23, 2019
Episode 705: Always in Season / Flannery
As our seventh season enters its final third, Bart and Chris join guest host Sonali Gulati, a filmmaker and faculty member at Virginia Commonwealth University, for a review of Jacqueline Olive’s searing look back at America’s violent history of lynching, Always in Season. Then, Bart interviews Elizabeth Coffman, co-director of Flannery, a documentary about the late, great southern writer Flannery O’Connor, which was just awarded the inaugural Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film. Inspiring artists deserve inspiring discussions, and that’s what we bring to the podcast. Enjoy!
Group Review Documentary:
ALWAYS IN SEASON (Jacqueline Olive, 2019)
In theaters and film festivals now
Film Featured in Interview Portion:
FLANNERY (Elizabeth Coffman/Mark Bosco, 2019)
Currently playing in festivals
Other Films and Sites Mentioned:
* Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blaché (Pamela B. Green, 2019)
* Diary of a Harlem Family (Gordon Parks, 1968)
* Equal…
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Oct 16, 2019
Episode 704: #FemalePleasure / Searching Eva
This week, we welcome guest host Jennifer Proctor, filmmaker and Associate Professor of Journalism and Screen Studies at University of Michigan-Dearborn, for a robust discussion of the new documentary#FemalePleasure and its examination of female agency in the modern world. Following that group review, we play Chris’s interview with director Pia Hellenthal and writer Giorgia Malatrasi, co-creators of Searching Eva, a highly stylized portrait of feminist intellectual and sex worker Eva Collé. Join us as we follow women forging their own paths, patriarchy be damned.
Group Review Documentary:
#FEMALEPLEASURE (Barbara Miller, 2019)
Begins releasing in U.S. theaters on October 18
Film Featured in Interview Portion:
SEARCHING EVA (Pia Hellenthal, 2019)
Currently playing in festivals
Other Films and Sites Mentioned:
* Born into Brothels (Zana Briski/Ross Kauffman, 2005)
* CinemAbility (Jenni Gold, 2012)
* Detrás de la Realidad (SMU Meadows School of the Arts’ Ignite/Arts…
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Oct 9, 2019
Episode 703: Memory: The Origins of Alien / Beyond the Bolex
Joining us this week is documentarian Anuradha Rana – Associate Professor, School of Cinematic Arts, DePaul University – as we discuss Alexandre O. Philippe’s Memory: The Origins of Alien and interview director Alyssa Bolsey and cinematographer Camilo Lara of Beyond the Bolex. Both films deal, albeit in very different ways, with behind-the-scenes looks at the art of filmmaking. From blood-curdling chest-bursting scenes to the perfect windup, rotating-lens-turret camera, we’ve got you covered.
Group Review Documentary:
MEMORY: THE ORIGINS OF ALIEN (Alexandre O. Philippe, 2019)
Now playing in theaters and on demand
Film Featured in Interview Portion:
BEYOND THE BOLEX (Alyssa Bolsey, 2019)
Currently playing in festivals
Other Films and Sites Mentioned:
* Alien (Ridley Scott, 1979)
* American Dharma (Errol Morris, 2018)
* The Brink (Alison Klayman, 2019)
* Doc of the Dead (Alexandre O. Philippe, 2014)
* The Fog of War: Eleven Lessons from the Life of Robert…
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Oct 2, 2019
Episode 702: Harlan County U.S.A. / American Factory
For this second episode of our current season we try something new with a look back at an important film from the past, Barbara Kopple’s 1976 Harlan County U.S.A., which won the 1977 Best Documentary Oscar. Why this trip down docu-memory lane? Two reasons: 1) our guest host this week is actually a guest historian, Betsy McLane, who not only knows just about everything there is to know about documentary history, but also knows quite a lot about Kopple; and 2) the coal miners of Harlan County, Kentucky, are once again on strike, gaining national and international attention over the summer. Plus ça change …
And while we’re on the topic of great films about unions, we thought we’d also play a recent interview Chris did with directors Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert of American Factory, just recently released on Netflix, which tells the story of what happens when a Chinese glass company takes over an abandoned GM plant. It starts out so well, but then, well … you’ll just hav…
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Sep 25, 2019
Episode 701: Cold Case Hammarskjöld / Crime + Punishment
We are back for a new season, and this time with a series of guest hosts – a new one each episode – to accompany Bart and Chris on their journey through documentary cinema. Our guest for this episode is filmmaker Sedika Mojadidi, whose Facing the DragonI mentioned on our April 17 bonus episode. We review Danish director Mads Brügger’s Cold Case Hammarskjöld, a wild romp of an investigative movie, just recently released in theaters, and interview director Stephen Maing about last year’s Crime + Punishment. Curious about the connection? Listen on … Finally, at the end, in “Doc Talk,” since Sedika has just taken up a teaching position at Savannah College of Art and Design, we discuss her planned strategies to train the next generation of documentarians. And all that in just over 50 minutes. Enjoy!
Group Review Documentary:
COLD CASE HAMMARSKJÖLD (Mads Brügger, 2019)
Now in theaters and on demand
Film Featured in Interview Portion:
CRIME + PUNISHMENT (Stephen Maing,…
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Aug 28, 2019
Bonus Episode: Patricia Aufderheide and Fair Use
In this bonus episode, Bart interviews Patricia Aufderheide, of American University’s Center for Media & Social Impact, about how she first developed the guidelines for “fair use,” those rules whereby documentary filmmakers place footage from other sources in their films without fear of lawsuits. It’s one of the most important developments in the nonfiction filmmaking worldof the last 20 years, and Aufderheide made it happen. This is her story.
Films and Texts Mentioned:
* Best Practices in Fair Use manual (American University, School of Communication, Center for Social Media)
* Documentary Film: A Very Short Introduction, by Patricia Aufderheide (Oxford University Press, 2007)
* Hip-Hop: Beyond Beats & Rhymes / 2006 (Director: Byron Hurt)
* Rat Film / 2016 (Director: Theo Anthony)
Timestamps:
00:40 - Intro
06:58 - Interview with Patricia Aufderheide
30:40 - Closing
Website/Email:
www.fogoftruth.com
disinfo@fogoftruth.com
Credits:
Artwork by Hilary Campbell…
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Jul 24, 2019
Bonus Episode: The Great Hack
Release date – 7/24/19
Bonus Episode – “The Great Hack”
This bonus episode features a review of the new Netflix documentary The Great Hack – which opens today on the site – and an interview with its directors, Karim Amer and Jehane Noujaim, from this year’s AFI DOCS film festival. The film discusses both the 2016 Brexit and 2016 U.S. presidential elections and how the public’s personal data was misused by the now-defunct political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica. It’s a visually exciting and dramatically gripping look at how social-media activity leads to the hacking of our brains.
Sadly, this is also the first Fog of Truth episode done without our erstwhile colleague Summre Garber, who has left the podcast to pursue other opportunities. We miss her. Stay tuned for more information about the guest hosts that Chris Reed and Bart Weiss will invite onto the show for Season 7, which we plan to launch some time in September, after first recording one more bonus epis…
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Jun 26, 2019
Episode 606: Be Natural / Making Waves
There are no shortage of documentaries on various aspects of film history and we discuss a few of them plus we have a group review of BE NATURAL and Chris interviews Midge Costin of MAKING WAVES.
Group Review Documentary:
BE NATURAL: THE UNTOLD STORY OF ALICE GUY BLACHE (2018) / USA (Director / Producer: Pamela B. Green)
Now playing at select theatres nation-wide
Film Featured in Interview Portion:
MAKING WAVES: THE ART OF CINEMATIC SOUND (2019) / USA (Director: Midge Costin / Producers: Bobette Buster, Midge Costin, & Karen Johnson)
Now playing at select theatres nation-wide
Other Documentaries Mentioned:
After Tiller / 2013 (Directors: Lana Wilson & Martha Shane)
Cameraman / 2017 (Director: Jon Alpert)
Cameraperson / 2016 (Director: Kirsten Johnson)
Casting By / 2013 (Director: Tom Donahue)
Celluloid Closet / 1996 (Directors: Rob Epstein & Jeffrey Friedman)
Color Adjustment / 1992 (Director: Marlon Riggs)
The Cutting Edge / 2004 (Director: Wendy Apple)
Decade Under…
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Jun 19, 2019
Episode 605: 2019 AFI DOCS
This episode is dedicated to 2019 AFI DOCS featuring an interview with Festival Director Michael Lumpkin, group discussion of three features playing this year and an interview with Chris and Linda Goldstein Knowlton of WE ARE THE RADICAL MONARCHS.
Group Review of Three films at 2019 AFI Docs:
Recorder: The Marion Stokes Project / 2019 (Director: Matt Wolf)
Slay the Dragon / 2019 (Directors: Barak Goodman & Christopher Durrance)
We Believe in Dinosaurs / 2019 (Directors: Clayton Brown & Monica Long Ross
Film Featured in Interview Portion:
We are the Radical Monarchs / 2019 (Director: Linda Goldstein Knowlton)
Other Documentaries Mentioned:
American Factory / 2019 (Directors: Julia Reichert & Steven Bognar)
The Apollo / 2019 (Director: Roger Ross Williams)
The Brainwashing of My Dad / 2016 (Director: Jen Senko)
Dark Money / 2018 (Director: Kimberly Reed)
Gay Chorus Deep South / 2019 (Director: David Charles Rodrigues)
The Great Hack / 2019 (Director: Karim Amer, Jehane No…
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Jun 12, 2019
Episode 604: Instant Dreams / Vision Portraits
This week we look at documentaries about photography, polaroid film and ways of seeing as we review INSTANT DREAMS and Chris interviews Rodney Evans, the director of VISION PORTRAITS.
Group Review Documentary:
INSTANT DREAMS (2018) / USA (Director: Willem Baptist / Producer: Pieter van Huystee)
Now playing in select theaters nationally and internationally.
Film Featured in Interview Portion:
VISION PORTRAITS (2019) / USA (Director: Rodney Evans / Producers: Rodney Evans, H. Robert Wunder)
Opening in New York on August 9 (at the Metrograph) and in Los Angeles on August 23.
Other Documentaries Mentioned:
* At Sundance / 1995 (Directors: Michael Almereyda, Amy Hobby)
* The B-Side: Elsa Dorfman's Portrait Photography / 2017 (Director: Errol Morris)
* Born into Brothels / 2004 (Directors: Zana Briski, Ross Kauffman)
* Brother to Brother / 2004 (Director: Rodney Evans)
* Close to Home / 1998 (Direcor: Rodney Evans)
* Dolphin Lover / 2015 (Director: Kareem Tabsch)
* Do…
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Jun 5, 2019
Episode 603: Knock Down the House / Running with Beto
Politics is the theme this week as we discuss election and political documentaries, review KNOCK DOWN THE HOUSE, and Bart interviews David Modigliani of RUNNING WITH BETO.
Group Review Documentary:
KNOCK DOWN THE HOUSE (2019) / USA (Director: Rachel Lears / Producers: Rachel Lears, Robin Blotnick, Sarah Olson)
Now playing on Netflix
Film Featured in Interview Portion:
RUNNING WITH BETO (2019) / USA (Director: David Modigliani / Producers: David Modigliani, Rebecca Feferman, Greg Kwedar, Rachel Ecklund, Nancy Schafer, Michelle Modigliani)
Now playing on HBO
Other Films Mentioned:
American Dharma / 2018 (Director: Errol Morris)
American Factory / 2019 (Directors: Julia Reichert, Steven Bognar)
The Brink / 2019 (Director: Alison Klayman)
The Eternal Jew / 1940 (Director: Fritz Hippler)
Fahrenheit 9/11 / 2004 (Director: Michael Moore)
Fahrenheit 11/9 / 2018 (Director: Michael Moore)
The Legend of Cocaine Island / 2018 (Director: Theo Love)
Man with a Movie Camera / 1929…
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May 29, 2019
Episode 602: Bisbee ‘17 / Building the American Dream
This week we look at documentaries about immigration (and specifically about migrant workers) as we review BISBEE ‘17 and have an interview with Chelsea Hernandez of BUILDING THE AMERICAN DREAM.
Group Review Documentary:
BISBEE ‘17 (2018) / USA (Director: Robert Greene / Producers: Douglas Tirola, Bennett Elliott, Susan Bedusa)
Now playing on iTunes
Film Featured in Interview Portion:
BUILDING THE AMERICAN DREAM (2019) / USA (Director: Chelsea Hernandez / Producers: Chelsea Hernandez, Marisol Medrano)
Now playing at select screenings nation wide
Other Films Mentioned:
306 Hollywood / 2018 (Directors: Elan Bogarin, Jonathan Bogarin)
The Act of Killing / 2012 (Director: Joshua Oppenheimer)
Actress / 2014 (Director: Robert Greene)
Close to Home (short) / 2010 (Director: Theo Rigby)
Dolores / 2018 (Director: Peter Bratt)
Human Flow / 2017 (Director: Ai Weiwei)
The Institute / 2013 (Director: Spencer McCall)
Island Soldier / 2017 (Director: Nathan FItch)
King of…
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May 22, 2019
Episode 601: They Shall Not Grow Old / Apollo 11
Many documentaries use archival footage in different ways, sometimes the entire film is archival and other times it is interwoven with new footage, or altered or animated to create a completely new and different work. This week we chat a bit about all of these variations and review the recent archival masterpiece, THEY SHALL NOT GROW OLD and Chris interviews Todd Douglas Miller of APOLLO 11.
Group Review Documentary:
THEY SHALL NOT GROW OLD (2018) / UK, New Zealand (Director: Peter Jackson / Producers: Peter Jackson, Clare Olssen)
Now playing on Amazon, Vudu, YouTube & Google Play
Film Featured in Interview Portion:
APOLLO 11 (2019) / USA (Director: Todd Douglas Miller / Producers: Todd Douglas Miller, Evan Krauss, Thomas Peterson)
Now playing on Amazon, Vudu, YouTube & Google Play
Other Films Mentioned:
Chicago 10 / 2007 (Director: Brett Morgen)
Decasia / 2003 (Director: Bill Morrison)
Dinosaur 13 / 2014 (Director: Todd Douglas Miller)
Eyes on the Prize / 1987 (Creator…
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May 8, 2019
Bonus Episode - Stanley Nelson Interview
This bonus episode features an interview with the great Stanley Nelson, a prolific director telling complex and socially relevant stories in an expert and entertaining way. The episode drops the day before Nelson’s latest film, Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool, plays at the Maryland Film Festival, in co-host Chris Reed’s hometown of Baltimore.
Stanley Nelson Films Discussed:
Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool / 2019
The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution / 2015
The Black Press: Soldiers Without Swords / 1999
Boss: The Black Experience in Business / 2019
Freedom Riders / 2009
A Place of Our Own / 2004
Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges and Universities / 2017
Two Dollars and a Dream / 1989
Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple / 2006
Other Films Mentioned:
Listen to me Marlon / 2015 (Director: Stevan Riley)
Always in Season / 2019 (Director: Jacqueline Olive)
Words From a Bear / 2019 (Director: Jeffrey Palmer)
The Infiltrators / 201…
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Apr 17, 2019
Bonus Episode - Field of Vision
In what is now a tradition for bonus episodes, we look at an online collective of short documentaries, this time with Field of Vision. Founded by Laura Poitras, AJ Schnak and Charlotte Cook, the site showcases insightful films from insider perspectives on various areas of the world, with a focus on political and social inequalities.
https://fieldofvision.org/
Field of Vision Films Covered:
The Above / 2015 (Director: Kirsten Johnson)
Adversary / 2018 (Director: Scott Cummings)
Concussion Protocol / 2018 (Director: Josh Begley)
Libre / 2019 (Director: Ana Barsan)
Our New President / 2017 (Director: Maxim Pozdorovkin)
Relatively Free / 2016 (Director: Alex Winter)
Other Films & Series Mentioned:
Buffalo Juggalos / 2013 (Director: Scott Cummings)
Facing the Dragon / 2019 (Director: Sedika Mojadidi)
Menashe / 2017 (Director: Joshua Z Weinstein)
World in Action (TV Series 1963 - 1998)
Timestamps:
00:46 - Intro discussion of Field of Vision
07:57 - Discussion of six Field o…
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Mar 13, 2019
SXSW 2019
For SXSW we discuss two of the films playing this year, RAISE HELL: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF MOLLY IVINS and PAHOKEE, and Bart & Chris interview the filmmakers from Austin Texas.
SXSW Films Covered:
Raise Hell: The Life and Times of Molly Ivins / 2019 (Director:Janice Engel)
Pahokee / 2019 (Directors: Patrick Bresnan & Ivete Lucas)
Other Documentaries and Film Festivals Mentioned:
AFI DOCS
DOC NYC
Full Frame Documentary Film Festival
Hot Docs
Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival
The Send-Off / 2016 (Directors: Patrick Bresnan & Ivete Lucas)
True/False Film Festival
Hammer to Nail Links by Christopher Llewellyn Reed:
* Review of Pahokee
* Review of Raise Hell: The Life and Times of Molly Ivins
Timestamps:
00:45 - Intro discussion of film festivals and documentary film
09:38 - Review of Raise Hell
21:15 - Review of Pahokee
31:57 - Interview with Patrick Bresnan & Ivete Lucas of Pahokee
47:55 - Interview with Janice Engel of Raise Hell: The Life and Times of Molly I…
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Mar 6, 2019
Hillbilly / Ingrid
Portrayals of Southern culture in documentary is the topic this week as we look at HILLBILLY and Chris interviews Morrisa Maltz, the director of INGRID.
Group Review Documentary:
HILLBILLY (2018) / USA (Directors / Producers: Ashley York, Sally Rubin)
Now playing on YouTube, Google Play, Vudu & Amazon
Film Featured in Interview Portion:
INGRID (2018) / USA (Director / Producer: Morrisa Maltz)
Now playing on Amazon, YouTube & Google Play
Other Films & Podcasts Mentioned:
The Allusionist (Podcast)
The Innocent Man / 2018 (Director: J. Clay Tweel)
Coal Miner’s Daughter / 1980 (Director: Michael Apted)
Deliverance / 1972 (Director: John Boorman)
Dirtbag: The Legend of Fred Beckey / 2017 (Director: Dave O’Leske)
Dogs / 2018 (Creator: Glen Zipper)
Harlan County, USA / 1977 (Director: Barbara Kopple)
Look & See: A Portrait of Wendell Berry / 2016 (Director: Laura Dunn)
S-Town (Podcast)
Sherman’s March / 1985 (Director: Ross McElwee)
Timestamps:
00:45 - Intro discu…
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Feb 27, 2019
The Price of Everything / Generation Wealth
Audience fascination with films about the ultra-wealthy in a time of great economic disparity is the topic this week as we discuss THE PRICE OF EVERYTHING and Chris interviews the director of GENERATION WEALTH.
Group Review Documentary:
THE PRICE OF EVERYTHING (2018) / USA (Director: Nathaniel Kahn / Producers: Carla Solomon, Debi Wisch, Jennifer Stockman)
The HBO documentary film THE PRICE OF EVERYTHING can be viewed on HBO GO/ NOW)
Audio excerpts courtesy of HBO
Film Featured in Interview Portion:
GENERATION WEALTH (2018) / USA (Director / Producer: Lauren Greenfield / Producers: Wallis Annenberg, Frank Evers)
Now playing on Amazon, YouTube & Google Play
Other Documentaries Mentioned:
The American Meme / 2018 (Director: Bert Marcus)
The Art of the Steal / 2009 (Director: Don Argott)
Attica / 1974 (Director: Cinda Firestone)
Born Rich / 2003 (Director:Jamie Johnson)
Dirty John (Podcast) / 2016
Fyre / 2019 (Director: Chris Smith)
Fyre Fraud / 2019 (Director: Jenner…
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Feb 20, 2019
2019 Academy Nominated Documentary Short Films
This week we talk Oscars with a brief discussion of the documentary feature nominees and a more intensive review of each nominated short as well as kvetching generally about the complicated relationship between documentary films and Oscar. Also, we interview Robert Bahar, co-director of The Silence of Others.
Oscar Shorts Reviewed:
Black Sheep / 2018 (Director: Ed Perkins)
End Game / 2018 (Directors: Rob Epstein, Jeffrey Friedman)
Lifeboat / 2018 (Director: Skye Fitzgerald)
A Night at the Garden / 2017 (Director: Marshall Curry)
Period. End of Sentence / 2018 (Director: Rayka Zehtabchi)
Film Featured in Interview Portion:
THE SILENCE OF OTHERS (2018) / USA / Canada / France / Spain (Directors/Producers: Almudena Carracedo & Robert Bahar)
Oscar Feature Nominations Mentioned:
Free Solo / 2018 (Directors: Jimmy Chin & Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi)
Hale County This Morning, This Evening / 2018 (Director: RaMell Ross)
Minding the Gap / 2018 (Director: Bing Liu)
Of Fathers and So…
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Feb 13, 2019
United Skates / Minding the Gap
Youth culture (and specifically docs dealing with subjects “on wheels”) is the topic this week as we look at UNITED SKATES about roller skating in African American communities across the U.S. and MINDING THE GAP about three skateboarding friends growing up in the rust belt.
Note: This interview with Bing Liu was recorded before the Oscar nominations were announced, hence we did not mention MINDING THE GAP being nominated in the 2019 Best Documentary category. But, we are very excited about that development since recording!
Group Review Documentary:
UNITED SKATES (2018) / USA (Directors / Producers: Tina Brown, Dyana Winkler)
THE HBO DOCUMENTARY FILM UNITED SKATES DEBUTS FEBRUARY 18th ON HBO
Audio excerpts courtesy of HBO
Film Featured in Interview Portion:
MINDING THE GAP (2018) / USA (Director / Producer: Bing Liu, Produced by Diane Moy Quon)
Now playing on Hulu and available on PBS on 2/18/19
Other Films Mentioned:
American High / 2001 (Creator: R.J. Cutler)
Bowling F…
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Feb 6, 2019
Sundance / Slamdance 2019 Director Interviews
Chris and Summre interview four filmmakers from snowy Park City in this special Sundance & Slamdance on location episode.
Filmmakers Interviewed:
Penny Lane (Director), HAIL SATAN?
Heidi Yewman (Director) & Will Little (Subject), BEHIND THE BULLET
Jonathan Sutak (Director), DONS OF DISCO
Alex Holmes (Director), MAIDEN
Hammer to Nail Links by Christopher Llewellyn Reed:
* Review of BEHIND THE BULLET
* Review of DONS OF DISCO
* Review of HAIL SATAN?
* Review of MAIDEN
Timestamps:
01:54 - Interview with Penny Lane
15:35 - Interview with Heidi Yewman
32:58 - Interview with Jonathan Sutak
43:05 - Interview with Alex Holmes
Website/Email:
www.fogoftruth.com
disinfo@fogoftruth.com
Credits:
Artwork by Hilary Campbell
Intro music by Jeremiah Moore
Editing by Christopher Llewellyn Reed
Transitional music by BELLS (thanks to Christopher Ernst)
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Jan 23, 2019
Bonus Episode: Park City Preview
We discuss the four films we will be covering in Park City this year with filmmaker interviews and get hyped for our upcoming travels to the Sundance and Slamdance Film Festivals.
Sundance Films Reviewed:
Hail Satan? / 2019 (Director: Penny Lane)
Maiden / 2018 (Director: Alex Holmes)
Slamdance Films Reviewed:
Behind the Bullet / 2019 (Director: Heidi Yewman)
Dons of Disco / 2018 (Director: Jonathan Sutak)
Other Films Mentioned:
Nuts! / 2016 (Director: Penny Lane)
Our Nixon / 2013 (Director: Penny Lane)
Penny Lane Vimeo Page - Shorts Collection
Hammer to Nail Links by Christopher Llewellyn Reed:
Review of Maiden
Timestamps:
00:46 - Intro of the hosts
4:58 - Discussion of Maiden
10:03 - Discussion of Behind the Bullet
15:16 - Discussion of Dons of Disco
21:09 - Discussion of Hail Satan?
Website/Email:
www.fogoftruth.com
disinfo@fogoftruth.com
Credits:
Artwork by Hilary Campbell
Intro music by Jeremiah Moore
Episode edited by Christopher Llewellyn Reed
Transiti…
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Dec 12, 2018
Bonus Episode: 2018 Top Ten Lists
Well, it’s that time of year where everyone loves to assemble top ten lists of all sorts. In this Bonus Episode, we each discuss our top ten documentaries of this year and the general trends we are seeing in 2018 doc films.
Bart’s Top 10 List:
* 209 Rue Saint Maur / 2018 (Director: Ruth Zylberman)
* 306 Hollywood / 2018 (Directors: Elan Bogarin & Jonathan Bogarin)
* Bisbee ‘17 / 2018 (Directors: Robert Greene)
* Minding the Gap / 2018 (Director: Bing Liu)
* Our New President / 2018 (Directors: Maxim Podorovkin)
* RBG / 2018 (Directors / Producers: Julie Cohen & Betsy West)
* They'll Love Me When I'm Dead / 2018 (Director: Morgan Neville)
* Wild Wild Country / 2018 (Creators: Chapman Way & Maclain Way)
* Won’t You be my Neighbor? / 2018 (Director: Morgan Neville)
* Yours in Sisterhood / 2018 (Director: Irene Lusztig)
Chris’s Top 10 List:
* The Dawn Wall / 2018 (Directors: Josh Lowell & Peter Mortimer)
* Free Solo / 2018 (Directors: Jimmy Chin…
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Oct 31, 2018
78/52: Hitchcock’s Shower Scene / Dark Money
In a special Halloween themed episode, things get spooky as we talk about the myriad of horror documentaries available online, review 78/52: Hitchcock’s Shower Scene and Chris interviews Kimberly Reed of Dark Money.
Group Review Documentary:
78/52: Hitchcock’s Shower Scene (2017) / USA (Director: Alexandre O. Philippe Producers: Robert Muratore, Kerry Deignan Roy)
Available to stream on Hulu, Google Play, YouTube & Amazon
Film Featured in Interview Portion:
Dark Money (2018) / USA (Director: Kimberly Reed, Producers: Kimberly Reed, Katy Chevigny)
Available to stream on Google Play, YouTube & Amazon
Other Documentaries Mentioned:
Beware the Slender Man / 2016 (Director: Irene Taylor Brodsky)
Caniba / 2012 (Director: Lucien Castaing-Taylor, Verena Paravel)
Dark Tourist / 2018 (Director: Colin Rothbart, Zoe McIntosh, Justin Hawkes, Ian Hart, Paul Horan, David Farrier)
The Devil We Know / 2018 (Director: Stephanie Soechtig)
Doc of the Dead / 2014 (Director: Alexandre O…
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Oct 24, 2018
Mr. Fish / Mr. Soul!
This week we discuss our own personal work and creative ventures and look at two doc portraits of activists doing what they love for careers in the arts: MR. FISH: CARTOONING FROM THE DEEP END and MR. SOUL!
Group Review Documentary:
MR. FISH: CARTOONING FROM THE DEEP END (2018) / USA (Director: Pablo Bryant, Producer: Ted Collins)
Available on iTunes Winter 2018
Film Featured in Interview Portion:
MR. SOUL! (2018) / USA (Directors: Melissa Haizlip & Samuel D. Pollard, Producer: Melissa Haizlip)
Now Playing at Select Festivals
Other Documentaries & Books Mentioned:
Acorn and the Firestorm / 2017 (Directors: Samuel D. Pollard & Reuben Atlas)
Alpha Girl: Taryn Murphy Revisited / 2018 (Director: Christopher Llewellyn Reed)
Color Adjustment / 1992 (Director: Marlon Riggs)
Ethnic Notions / 1986 (Director: Marlon Riggs)
Frame of Mind (TV) / 1992 - Present (Producer: Bart Weiss)
Growing up Coy / 2016 (Director: Eric Juhola)
Sleep with Me / 2017 (Director: Summre Garber)
Taryn M…
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Oct 17, 2018
MATANGI / MAYA / M.I.A. / ¡Las Sandanistas!
What better time to focus on docs about strong dissenting women effecting positive change in the world? Feels like now is good, so in this episode we review MATANGI/MAYA/M.I.A. and Chris interviews the director of ¡Las Sandanistas!
Group Review Documentary:
MATANGI / MAYA / M.I.A. (2018) / USA (Director: Stephen Loveridge, Producers: Paul Mezey, Lori Cheatle, Andrew Goldman)
Now Playing in Select Theatres
Film Featured in Interview Portion:
¡Las Sandanistas! (2018) / Nicaragua / USA (Director: Jenny Murray)
The film opens at the Film Forum in New York on 11/21 and at the Gene Siskel Film Center in Chicago on 11/30
Other Documentaries, Podcasts & Organizations Mentioned:
13th / 2016 (Director: Ava DuVernay)
AfroQueerPodcast / 2018 (Executive Produced / Hosted by Selly Thiam)
Alone in the Game / 2018 (Directors: Natalie Metzger & Michael Rohrbaugh)
Chisolm ‘72 / 2004 (Director:Shola Lynch)
Dolores / 2017 (Director:Peter Bratt)
Free Angela and All Political Prisoners…
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Oct 10, 2018
306 Hollywood / Yours in Sisterhood
Recreations, hybridity and truth are the topics this week as we discuss what classifies a documentary while fictionalization in documentaries become more commonplace. Through this lens we review 306 HOLLYWOOD and interview Irene Lusztig of YOURS IN SISTERHOOD.
Group Review Documentary:
306 HOLLYWOOD (2018) / USA (Directors: Elan Bogarin & Jonathan Bogarin, Producers: Elan Bogarin, Judit Stalter & Jonathan Bogarin)
Now Playing in Select Theatres
Film Featured in Interview Portion:
YOURS IN SISTERHOOD (2018) / USA (Director: Irene Lusztig, Producer: Irene Lusztig)
Now Playing at Select Festivals
Other Documentaries Mentioned:
The Act of Killing / 2012 (Director: Joshua Oppenheimer, Anonymous, Christine Cynn)
The Beaches of Agnes / 2008 (Director: Agnes Varda)
BlacKkKlansman / 2018 (Director: Spike Lee)
Chronicle of a Summer / 1965 (Directors: Jean Rouch & Edgar Morin)
The Gleaners and I / 2000 (Director: Agnes Varda)
Growing up Female / 1971 (Directors: Julia Reichert & J…
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Oct 3, 2018
Calling All Earthlings / Dinner Party
What are the ethical standards of a filmmaker portraying subcultures to which they do not belong? How does it shift if they are a member? How does the relationship between the filmmaker, subject and intended audience play out? This week we discuss all of this and sprinkle in alien stuff too, for fun, with a review of Calling All Earthlings and an interview with Laura Wexler, one of the writers behind the VR movie Dinner Party.
Group Review Documentary:
CALLING ALL EARTHLINGS (2018) / USA (Director / Producer: Jonathan Berman)
Available to stream on Amazon, YouTube, Google Play
Film Featured in Interview Portion:
DINNER PARTY (2016) / USA (Director: Angel Manuel Soto, Writers: Charlotte Stoudt, Laura Wexler)
Now playing at select film festivals
Other Books / Documentaries Mentioned:
American Movie / 1999 (Director: Chris Smith)
Bronies: The Extremely Unexpected Adult Fans of My Little Pony / 2012 (Director: Laurent Malaquais)
Did We Go / 2005 (Director: Aron Ranen)\
Hoop D…
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Sep 26, 2018
Fahrenheit 11/9 & Interview with Thom Powers
Following up from Toronto International Film Festival, we discuss the new Michael Moore film, Fahrenheit 11/9 and interview Thom Powers, the Documentary Programmer from TIFF.
Group Review Documentary:
FAHRENHEIT 11/9 (2018) / USA (Director: Michael Moore, Producers: Michael Moore, Carl Deal)
Now Playing in Select Theatres
Group Interview with Thom Powers:
Thom Powers is the documentary programmer for the Toronto International Film Festival, artistic director of America's largest documentary festival DOC NYC and host of Pure Nonfiction Podcast.
Pure Nonfiction Podcast
DOC NYC
Toronto International Film Festival
Other Documentaries Mentioned:
28 Up / 1985 (Director: Michael Apted)
American Dharma / 2018 (Director: Errol Morris)
Biggest Little Farm / 2018 (Director: John Chester)
Bowling For Columbine / 2002 (Director: Michael Moore)
Breasts A Documentary / 1996 (Director: Meema Spadola)
Despotism / 1946
Divide and Conquer / 1943 (Directors: Frank Capra & Anatole Litva…
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Sep 12, 2018
Bonus Episode: The Guardian Short Documentaries
In this bonus episode we take a look at the content The Guardian has been producing and chat with Charlie Phillips about being the Head of Documentaries there and overseeing the commission and production of almost 25 short films a year.
Guardian Films Mentioned:
Fish Story / June, 2017 (Director: Charlie Lyne)
Little Pyongyang / August, 2018 (Director: Roxy Rezvany)
Radical Brownies / January, 2017 (Director: Linda Goldstein Knowlton)
Gun Nation / September, 2016 (Director: Zed Nelson)
Muxes / October, 2017 (Director: Shaul Schwarz)
Climate and the Cross / April, 2018 (Director: Chloe White and Will Davies)
Unreleased Guardian Films Mentioned (as of 9/12/18):
Skip Day (Director: Patrick Bresnan and Ivete Lucas)
Black Sheep (Director: Ed Perkins)
Other Films and Websites Mentioned:
Sorry to Bother You / 2018 (Director: Boots Riley)
The Force / 2017 (Director: Peter Nicks)
NYT Op-Docs
Field of Vision
Timestamps:
00:46 - Bart, Chris and Summre introduction convers…
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Aug 29, 2018
Bonus Episode: Steve James Interview
We sat down with director Steve James at AFI DOCS 2018 to discuss his body of work as a whole, his most recent series, AMERICA TO ME, and working in various modes of documentary storytelling.
Films Mentioned (Directed by Steve James):
Abacus: Small Enough to Jail / 2016
America to Me / 2018
Head Games / 2012
Hoop Dreams / 1994
The Interrupters / 2011
Life Itself / 2014
No Crossover: The Trial of Allen Iverson (30 for 30) / 2010
Pep / announced 2018
Prefontaine / 1997
The Ride of Their Lives (New Yorker Presents - Episode #1.2) / 2016
Stevie / 2002
Timestamps:
00:48 - Bart, Chris and Summre introduction conversation
08:18 - Group interview with Steve James
Website/Email:
www.fogoftruth.com
disinfo@fogoftruth.com
Credits:
Artwork by Hilary Campbell
Intro music by Jeremiah Moore
Transitional music by BELLS (thanks to Christopher Ernst)
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Jul 25, 2018
The Last Laugh / 209 Rue Saint-Maur, Paris 10eme
Looking back at history under a contemporary lens can be a powerful tool to provide context and take action in difficult political times.This week we look at holocaust documentaries as we review THE LAST LAUGH and Bart interviews Ruth Zylberman of 209 RUE SAINT-MAUR, PARIS 10EME.
Group Review Documentary:
THE LAST LAUGH - (2016) / USA (Director: Ferne Pearlstein; Producers: Robert Edwards, Amy Hobby, Anne Hubbell, Ferne Pearlstein and Jan Warner)
Available to stream on Netflix
Film Featured in Interview Portion:
209 RUE SAINT-MAUR, PARIS 10EME - (2018) / France (Director: Ruth Zylberman; Producers: Céline Nusse, Paul Rozenberg)
Other Documentaries Mentioned:
An American Story: Norman Mineta and His Legacy / 2018 (Director: Dianne Fukami)
The Atomic Cafe / 1982 (Directors: Kevin Rafferty, Jayne Loader & Pierce Rafferty)
Claude Lanzmann's Spectres of the Shoah / 2015 (Director: Adam Benzine)
The Eternal Jew / 1940 (Director: Fritz Hippler)
A Film Unfinished / 2010 (Director…
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Jul 18, 2018
The King / Cuba and the Cameraman
This week we cover documentary films that at first appear to be about a bunch of wildly different ideas but then manage to tie it all together under a coherent and satisfying theme. THE KING is reviewed followed by an interview between Bart and the director of CUBA AND THE CAMERAMAN.
Group Review Documentary:
THE KING - (2018) / USA (Director: Eugene Jarecki; Producers: Eugene Jarecki, Christopher St. John, Christopher Frierson, David Kuhn)
Available in select theatres
Film Featured in Interview Portion:
CUBA AND THE CAMERAMAN - (2017) / USA (Director: Jon Alpert; Producers: Jon Alpert, Matthew O'Neill, Tessa Treadway)
Available to stream on Netflix
Other Documentaries Mentioned:
Berlin Symphony of a Great City / 1927 (Director: Walter Ruttman)
Bowling for Columbine / 2002 (Director: Michael Moore)
County Fair Texas / 2015 (Director: Brett Whitcomb)
Elvis 56 / 1987 (Directors: Susan Raymond, Alan Raymond)
Ex Nihilo / 2017 (Director: Timo Wright)
F For Fake / 1977 (Direct…
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Jul 11, 2018
Coming to My Senses / Chi-Town
This episode is all about sports and athleticism documentaries. We review COMING TO MY SENSES which tells the story of Aaron Baker who was paralyzed in a motocross accident and is now trekking 20 miles across Death Valley and Chris interviews the director and subject of CHI-TOWN.
Group Review Documentary:
COMING TO MY SENSES - (2017) / USA (Director: Dominic Gill, Producer: Nadia Gill)
Available to stream on Amazon
Film Featured in Interview Portion:
CHI-TOWN - (2018) / USA (Director: Nick Budabin, Producers: Nick Budabin, Neal Usatin, Terrence Elenteny)
Other Documentaries Mentioned:
30 for 30
The Bad Boy of Bowling / 2015 (Director: Bryan Storkel)
Big Bang in Pyongyang / 2015 (Director: Colin Offland)
Big Men, Small Dogs / 2017 (Director: Cat Mills)
Birth of a Nation / 1915 (Director: D.W. Griffith)
Discovering Bigfoot / 2017 (Director: Todd Standing)
Hoop Dreams / 1994 (Director: Steve James)
The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg / 2010 (Director: Aviva Kempner)
Mu…
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Jul 4, 2018
Filmworker / Sammy Davis, Jr.: I've Gotta Be Me
Depicting masters of their craft through documentary is the theme this week. In FILMWORKER, Leon Vitali spent his life working with Stanley Kubrick to develop and preserve a level of quality that Kubrick is known for to this day and in our interview Chris speaks with Sam Pollard, director of SAMMY DAVIS, JR.: I’VE GOTTA BE ME.
Group Review Documentary:
FILMWORKER - (2018) / USA (Director: Tony Zierra, Producers: Tony Zierra, Elizabeth Yoffe)
Available in limited theatrical release
Film Featured in Interview Portion:
SAMMY DAVIS, JR..: I’VE GOTTA BE ME - (2017) / USA (Director: Samuel D. Pollard Producer: Sally Rosenthal)
Other Documentaries Mentioned:
Amy / 2015 (Director: Asif Kapadia)
Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story (2017) / (Director: Alexandra Dean)
Crumb / 1994 (Director: Terry Zwigoff)
Evil Genius / 2018 (Director: Barbara Schroeder, co-director Trey Borzillieri)
Floyd Norman: An Animated Life / 2016 (Directors: Michael Fiore, Erik Sharkey)
The Fourth Estate…
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Jun 27, 2018
Won’t You Be My Neighbor / RBG
In this episode, we look at WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR through the lens of radical kindness and the context of social activism documentaries and Chris interviews the directors of RBG.
Group Review Documentary:
WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR (2018) / USA (Director: Morgan Neville, Producers: Morgan Neville, Nicholas Ma and Caryn Capotosto)
Now Playing in Select Theatres
Film Featured in Interview Portion:
RBG (2018) / USA (Directors / Producers: Julie Cohen & Betsy West)
Now Playing in Select Theatres
Other Documentaries Mentioned:
44 Pages / 2017 (Director: Tony Shaff)
A Brief History of Time / 1992 (Director: Errol Morris)
An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power / 2017 (Director: Directors: Bonni Cohen & Jon Shenk)
An Inconvenient Truth / 2006 (Director: Davis Guggenheim)
Big Sonia / 2016 (Directors: Leah Warshawski & Todd Soliday)
Dolores / 2017 (Director: Peter Bratt)
Forgiving Doctor Mengele / 2006 (Directors: Bob Hercules & Cheri Pugh)
Freedom Riders / 2010 (Director…
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Jun 20, 2018
AFI DOCS: Filmmaker Interviews
This week we met up in person at AFI DOCS in Washington DC to interview the directors of some of our favorite films from the festival, which we discussed in our previous bonus episode.
Filmmakers Interviewed:
Marilyn Ness (Director), CHARM CITY
Erik Nelson (Director), THE COLD BLUE
Richard Miron (Director), FOR THE BIRDS
Michael Sparaga (Director), UNITED WE FAN
Note: Charm City is playing this week (6/20/18) at Human Rights Watch Film Festival in New York!
Other Documentaries and Television Shows Mentioned:
Arrested Development (TV) / 2003 - 2006, 2013 - Present (Creator: Mitchell Hurwitz)
Avatar / 2009 (Director: James Cameron)
Black Panther / 2018 (Director: Ryan Coogler)
Cagney & Lacey (TV) / 1982 - 1988 (Creator: Barbara Avedon and Barbara Corday)
Cave of Forgotten Dreams / 2011 (Director: Werner Herzog)
Chuck (TV) / 2007 - 2012 (Creator: Josh Schwartz and Chris Fedak)
Crime Story (TV) / 1986 - 1988 (Creators: Chuck Adamson and Gustave Reininger,)
Dreams with Sharp Teeth…
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Jun 6, 2018
Bonus Episode: AFI DOCS
AFI DOCS Films Discussed:
Charm City / 2018 (Director: Marilyn Ness)
The Cold Blue / 2018 (Director: Erik Nelson)
For the Birds / 2018 (Director: Richard Miron)
United We Fan / 2018 (Director: Michael Sparaga)
Other Films Mentioned:
Baltimore Rising / 2017 (Director: Sonja Sohn)
The Force / 2017 (Director: Peter Nicks)
Rat Film / 2018 (Director: Theo Anthony)
Full AFI DOCS Lineup
AFI DOCS - Charles Guggenheim Symposium
Hammer to Nail Links by Christopher Llewellyn Reed:
http://www.hammertonail.com/film-festivals/charm-city-review/
Timestamps:
00:36 - Introduction discussion of the Charles Guggenheim Symposium
07:00 - Group review of UNITED WE FAN,
12:50 - Group review of CHARM CITY
15:57 - Group review of FOR THE BIRDS
20:15 - Group review of THE COLD BLUE
Website/Email:
www.fogoftruth.com
disinfo@fogoftruth.com
Credits:
Artwork by Hilary Campbell
Intro music by Jeremiah Moore
Transitional music by BELLS (thanks to Christopher Ernst)
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May 23, 2018
Bonus Episode: Life Underground
Bart gives us a brief history of interactive and transmedia documentary and we take a look at Life Underground, an immersive online documentary exploring subways and passengers in urban centers around the world. Also included is an interview between Chris and the creator, Hervé Cohen, at SXSW.
Featured Documentary:
Life Underground Website.
Other Films/Articles/Organization Mentioned:
National Film Board of Canada
Tribeca Film Festival
IDFA DocLab
In Transit / 2015 (Director: Albert Maysles, Lynn True, David Usui, Nelson Walker, Ben Wu)
Film Festival Today link by Christopher Llewellyn Reed:
* SXSW 2018 recap (including capsule review of Life Underground)
Timestamps:
00:36 - Introduction
06:10 - Christopher Llewellyn Reed interviews Hervé Cohen of LIFE UNDERGROUND
13:06 - Group discussion of LIFE UNDERGROUND
Website/Email:
www.fogoftruth.com
disinfo@fogoftruth.com
Credits:
Artwork by Hilary Campbell
Intro music by Jeremiah Moore
Transitional music by BELLS (tha…
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Apr 25, 2018
S02E06 - Dirty Money / Wild Wild Country
There seems to be no shortage of good doc series available to stream online. We take a look at the evolution of this format through early PBS observational series to today. We also discuss Dirty Money and Bart interviews the creators of Wild Wild Country.
Group Review Documentary:
DIRTY MONEY (2018) / USA (Creator: Alex Gibney)
Available on Netflix
Film Featured in Interview Portion:
WILD WILD COUNTRY (2018) /USA (Creators: Chapman Way & Maclain Way)
Available on Netflix
Other Films/Articles/Books Mentioned:
Up Series / 1964 - Present (TV Series)
An American Family / 1973 (TV Series)
Airport / 1996 - 2008 (TV Series)
The Civil War / 1990 (TV Series / Director/Creator: Ken Burns)
The Jinx / 2015 (TV Series / Director: Andrew Jarecki)
Making a Murderer / 2015 (TV Series / Directors: Moira Demos & Laura Ricciardi)
Wormwood / 2017 (TV Series / Director: Errol Morris)
The Staircase / 2004 (TV Series)
American Vandal / 2017 (TV Series / Creators: Tony Yacenda, Dan Perrault)…
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Apr 18, 2018
S02E05 - Leaning Into the Wind / More Human Than Human
Documentary films about artists and the process of creating and selling art is the topic this week as we each discuss some of our personal favorites and review LEANING INTO THE WIND by Thomas Riedelsheimer. Bart and Chris also interview directors Tommy Pallotta and Femke Wolting about their new film MORE HUMAN THAN HUMAN, which discusses developments in the field of artificial intelligence.
Group Review Documentary:
LEANING INTO THE WIND (2018) / UK, Germany (Director: Thomas Riedelsheimer)
Screening in theatres now
Film Featured in Interview Portion:
MORE HUMAN THAN HUMAN (2018) / Netherlands (Directors: Tommy Pallotta, Femke Wolting)
Other Films/Articles/Books Mentioned:
Running Fence / 1977 (Director: Charlotte Zwerin, Albert Maysles, David Maysles)
The Gates / 1977 (Director: Antonio Ferrara, Albert Maysles, David Maysles, and Matthew Prinzing)
That’s What They Call Art (video)
Extraordinary Ordinary People / 2017 (Director: Alan Governar)
Finding Vivian Maier / 2014…
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Apr 11, 2018
S02E04 - The Force / Do Not Resist
The growing number of documentaries shedding light on cases of police brutality and misconduct across the country is the theme this week as we review THE FORCE and Chris interviews Craig Atkinson, director of DO NOT RESIST.
Group Review Documentary:
THE FORCE (2017) / USA (Director: Peter Nicks, Producers: Linda Davis, Lawrence Lerew, & Peter Nicks)
Available to stream on Netflix / iTunes / Amazon
Film Featured in Interview Portion:
DO NOT RESIST (2016) / USA (Director: Craig Atkinson, Producers: Laura Hartrick & Craig Atkinson)
Available to stream on iTunes / YouTube / Google Play
Other Films/Articles/Podcasts Mentioned:
NY Times Op Docs
Demon in the Freezer / 2016 (Director: Errol Morris)
Animated Life: Mary Leakey / 2015 (Directors: Flora Lichtman & Sharon Shattuck)
Ten Meter Tower / 2017 (Directors: Maximilien Van Aertryck & Axel Danielson)
Baltimore Rising / 2017 (Director: Sonja Sohn)
Stanford Prison Experiment / 2015 (Director: Kyle Patrick Alvarez)
The Black Pa…
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Apr 4, 2018
S02E03 - Kedi / Trophy
It’s the week of the cat! We open by talking about internet cat videos, review KEDI (an observational film about cats in Istanbul) and Chris interviews the filmmakers of TROPHY.
Group Review Documentary:
KEDI (2016) / Turkey, USA (Director: Ceyda Torun, Producers: Ceyda Torun & Charlie Wuppermann)
Available to stream on iTunes / Amazon / Google Play
Film Featured in Interview Portion:
TROPHY (2017) / UK, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, USA (Directors: Christina Clusiau & Shaul Schwarz)
Available to stream on iTunes / YouTube / Google Play
Other Films/Articles/Books Mentioned:
15:17 to Paris / 2018 (Director: Clint Eastwood)
Barcroft TV
Becoming Bond / 2017 (Director: Josh Greenbaum)
BLT at Noah's Ark
Boxing Cats / 1894 (Director: Thomas Edison)
The Dodo
juniperfoxx on Instagram
Keyboard Cat
Live and Let Die / 1973 (Director: Guy Hamilton)
Nanook of the North / 1922 (Director: Robert J. Flaherty)
On Her Majesty’s Secret Service / 1969 (Director: Peter R. Hunt)…
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Mar 28, 2018
S02E02 - In Pursuit of Silence / An Inconvenient Sequel
This week we discuss all things environmental documentary: What makes an effective call to action film? Do environmental docs need to do that to make an impact? And, we review IN PURSUIT OF SILENCE plus Chris interviews the directors of AN INCONVENIENT SEQUEL.
Group Review Documentary:
IN PURSUIT OF SILENCE (2015) / USA / Belgium / China / Germany / Hong Kong / India / Japan / Taiwan / UK (Director/Producer/Cinematographer: Patrick Shen, Producers: Andrew Brumme & Brandon Vedder)
Available to stream on iTunes / Roku / Chromecast
Film Featured in Interview Portion:
AN INCONVENIENT SEQUEL: TRUTH TO POWER (2017) / USA (Directors: Bonni Cohen & Jon Shenk, Producers: Richard Berge, Jeff Skoll & Diane Weyermann)
Available to stream on iTunes / Amazon / Google Play
Other Documentaries Mentioned:
Mr. Fish: Cartooning From The Deep End / 2017 (Director: Pablo Bryant)
An Inconvenient Truth / 2006 (Director: Davis Guggenheim)
DamNation / 2014 (Directors: Travis Rummel & Ben Knight)
Th…
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Mar 21, 2018
S02E01 - SXSW Interviews
In a very special on location episode, Chris and Bart interview four filmmakers at SXSW. Please visit our website for the video footage of these interviews: www.fogoftruth.com/video-extras
Filmmakers Interviewed:
Jeremy Workman (Director) & Matt Green (Subject), THE WORLD BEFORE YOUR FEET
Alexandria Bombach (Director), ON HER SHOULDERS
Cristina Constantini & Darren Foster (Co-Directors), SCIENCE FAIR
Yuqi Kang (Director), A LITTLE WISDOM
Other Items & People Mentioned:
Walking Blog by Matt Green
The Last Girl: My Story of Captivity, and My Fight Against the Islamic State by Nadia Murad
The Naked Truth: Death by Fentanyl / 2016
Alan Berliner, Filmmaker
Hammer to Nail Links by Christopher Llewellyn Reed:
http://www.hammertonail.com/film-festivals/on-her-shoulders-review/
http://www.hammertonail.com/film-festivals/little-wisdom-review/
Timestamps:
00:39 - Introduction by Christopher Llewellyn Reed
02:52 - On location introduction by Bart Weiss & Christopher Llewellyn Reed…
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Mar 7, 2018
Bonus Episode: SXSW
In preparation for SXSW, we have a brief discussion of the festival generally, how much we love the programming there, and take a closer look at four of the documentary features from the 2018 lineup.
SXSW Films Reviewed:
A Little Wisdom / 2017 (Director: Yuqi Kang)
On Her Shoulders / 2018 (Director: Alexandria Bombach)
Science Fair / 2017 (Directors: Cristina Costantini, Darren Foster)
The World Before Your Feet / 2018 (Director: Jeremy Workman)
Other Films Mentioned:
Full SXSW Lineup
In Pursuit of Silence / 2015 (Director: Patrick Shen)
Website/Email:
www.fogoftruth.com
disinfo@fogoftruth.com
Credits:
Artwork by Hilary Campbell
Intro music by Jeremiah Moore
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