Ken Burns, an acclaimed documentarian known for his historical films, is joined by fellow filmmakers Sarah Burns and David McMahon. They dive into the brilliance of Leonardo da Vinci, discussing the challenges of portraying his multifaceted genius. The trio reflects on the importance of personal narratives in filmmaking and the profound historical insights gained throughout their careers. They also highlight da Vinci's role in transforming the perception of artists and the integral use of music in enhancing film narratives.

Vox's Jamil Smith talks with acclaimed documentary filmmakers Ken and Sarah Burns. The father-daughter team discuss their latest documentary about The Greatest, Muhammad Ali, trying to say something new about a famous and already well-documented figure, how to tell the best story from 500 hours of raw footage, and what it's like when filmmaking centered around American history is the family business.Host: Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith), Senior Correspondent, VoxGuests: Ken Burns (@KenBurns) & Sarah Burns (@sarah_l_burns), documentary filmmakersReferences:  Muhammad Ali, a film by Ken Burns, Sarah Burns, & David McMahon (premieres Sept. 19) King of the World: Muhammad Ali and the Rise of an American Hero by David Remnick (Vintage; 1999) Enjoyed this episode? Rate Vox Conversations ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and leave a review on Apple Podcasts.Subscribe for free. Be the first to hear the next episode of Vox Conversations by subscribing in your favorite podcast app.Support Vox Conversations by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcastsThis episode was made by:  Producer: Erikk Geannikis Editor: Amy Drozdowska Deputy Editorial Director, Vox Talk: Amber Hall VP, Vox Audio: Liz Kelly Nelson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices