Ep 393: Barbara Kopple • Ashley Rae Spillers & Alex Dobrenko

Ep 393: Barbara Kopple • Ashley Rae Spillers & Alex Dobrenko

Barbara Kopple returns to the podcast; check out Episode 200 for a career spanning conversation. On this episode Barbara discusses recent screenings of her debut feature film, Harlan County USA, last week at the Metrograph​ cinema; her newest film, the documentary This Is Everything: Gigi Gorgeous​, currently streaming on YouTube Red​. We also talk about the Sharon Jones, the subject of Barbara’s recent documentary, Miss Sharon Jones​, and who recently passed away.

After that, Alex Dobrenko (Krisha) and Ashley Rae Spillers (Vice Principals) wax about their new project, Distance, a web series about the tribulations of a young couple living on opposite coasts. An additional component to this web series which makes it stand out is that there are two versions of each episode one from each character’s perspective. Alex currently has a Seed & Spark fundraiser going on for the series which ends mid-March. The conversation was recorded at the Austin Convention Center during SxSW 2016.

Filmwax Radio is part of the ShowBriz Studios podcast network and presented by Rooftop Films. Subscribe on iTunes.

Ep 392: Melissa Lyde & Ja’Tovia Gary • Noah Isenberg

Ep 392: Melissa Lyde & Ja’Tovia Gary • Noah Isenberg

In the first segment I am joined by film programmer Melissa Lyde who curates Alfreda’s Cinema, a monthly film series with an emphasis on filmmakers of color and art films. The series takes place at Videology in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and the next event, a screening of Seven Songs For Malcolm X, will take place on February 27th at 7PM. Melissa is joined by filmmaker La’Tovia Gary who discusses her work which is primarily experimental in nature.

After that I am joined by author Noah Isenberg who discusses his new book, We’ll Always Have Casablanca (2017, W. W. Norton & Company), which is currently available. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the iconic film and in this segment Noah & I dig deeper into why Casablanca is everyone’s favorite movie. In this particular time where anti-immigration and nationalism is in the air, Michael’s Curtiz’s film feels more relevant than ever. Don’t miss this great conversation. And buy the book.

Filmwax Radio is part of the ShowBriz Studios podcast network and presented by Rooftop Films. Like us on Facebook.

Ep 391: Damani Baker • Matthew Newton

Ep 391: Damani Baker • Matthew Newton

Damani Baker (Still Bill) stops by to discuss his new documentary, The House on Coco Road, a moving personal and historical account of how he and his family were caught up in the 1983 U.S. invasion of Grenada. The result is a fascinating and under-reported chapter in the never-ending struggle for justice on behalf of black men and women worldwide, as well as a scalding appraisal of Reagan-era racial attitudes at home and abroad.

Then Australian transplant, filmmaker Matthew Newton, discusses his new feature, From Nowhere, about three undocumented Bronx teenagers who work toward graduating from high school while also struggling to secure their papers to stay in America. A most timely film indeed. Matthew’s film opens theatrically in NYC at Village East Cinema on Friday, February 17th.

Filmwax Radio is part of the ShowBriz Studios podcast network and presented by Rooftop Films. Subscribe on iTunes.

Ep 390: Larry & Jack Fessenden • Kenneth Eng

Ep 390: Larry & Jack Fessenden • Kenneth Eng

Kenneth Eng has made a documentary about his father’s story called My Life in China. Yau King Eng fled China’s Cultural Revolution in 1966. After risking his life to get to America, he started a family in Boston. But when his restaurant went bankrupt and his wife mom sick, he began to feel like he’d failed at the American Dream. My Life in China is a story of migration passed down from father to son; the film attempts to retrace the precarious steps Ken’s father took in search of a better life. Ultimately asking the question, what does it mean to be both Chinese and American? The film has recently streamed on America Reframed and is currently available on iTunes.

Jack Fessenden, 17 years old, has been making short films for years now. Making them is an understatement. He writes, directs, acts, edits, and scores them. Stray Bullets is Jack’s feature debut and stars himself, his Dad Larry Fesssenden, James LeGros, and Kevin Corrigan. Beginning on Friday, February 10th, Stray Bullets, a crime caper, will enjoy a theatrical engagement in about 10 cities around the US including at the Village East in NYC and at the Laemmle in LA. It will also be available on various digital platforms.

All music in this episode is by Morricone Youth from their new vinyl album Mad Max (Country Club Records/Light In The Attic/ Revolver USA), a frantic and high-powered original live re-score for George Miller’s classic 1979 Australian dystopian action film.

Filmwax Radio is part of the ShowBriz Studios podcast network and presented by Rooftop Films. Subscribe on iTunes.

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