Top Docs: Award-Winning Documentary Filmmakers

More than 50 years after the conviction of Charles Manson and members of the Manson Family for the shocking Tate-LaBianca murders, acclaimed filmmaker Errol Morris takes aim at the case. Inspired by author Tom O’Neill, whose book (“CHAOS: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties”) attempts to debunk the thesis of famed prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi, Errol dives deep into Bugliosi’s “Helter Skelter” theory that convinced the jury — and then captivated the world as chronicled in his true crime bestseller.   Errol joins Ken on the pod to talk about what attracted him to O’Neill’s skepticism of the Helter Skelter scenario in which Manson’s apocalyptic vision of inciting a race war allegedly compelled his followers to carry out the massacre. But, even as the film delves into O’Neill’s alternative theory involving the CIA’s Project MKUltra (the subject of Errol’s earlier Netflix series “Wormwood”), the narrative shifts once again, as Errol’s nose for the truth leads him to Manson associate and convicted murderer Bobby Beausoleil. It’s a convoluted path that may lead to the truth or, more likely, to more questions. It’s just the kind of quest that Errol Morris fans and true crime buffs have been waiting for.   “CHAOS: The Manson Murders” is streaming on Netflix.   Hidden Gem: “The Emperor’s Naked Army Marches On”   Follow: @errolmorris on X @topdocspod on Instagram and X    The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.

As Director Matt Wolf shows in his  insightful and fun 2-part HBO series “Pee-wee as Himself”, in Pee-wee, Paul Rubens found a persona that allowed him to both reveal and yet hide some core truths about who he was.     Fascinated with television and show business since he was a boy, Rubens combined elements of his childhood’s pop culture with the art world of Southern California in the 70s and early 80s to craft a character that would both conquer the then punkish milieu of Melrose Avenue as well as create a nationally televised children’s TV show.  To achieve this, Wolfe delineates how Rubens deliberately foreclosed both his potential love life as well as cast aside long-held friendships.  Wolfe’s series demonstrates both the costs as well as the benefits of outsized talent and ambition.   You can watch “Pee-wee as Himself” on HBO and HBO Max starting Friday, May 23rd.   Follow: @mattpwolf on Instagram @topdocspod on Instagram and X    The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.

On the pod today, Julia Willoughby Nason and Michael Gasparro return to discuss their latest for Netflix, American Murder: Gabby Petito.   Mike previously had Julia and Michael on to talk about Murdaugh Murders, and like that effort, this series both fulfills the expectations of the true crime genre, while finding deeper themes to explore.  While in Murdaugh Murders, Julia and Michael turned their lens on the socioeconomic fissures in the heart of a Southern county, here, in telling the story of Gabby Peitio–a young woman who was killed by her fiance Brian Laundie, who later killed himself–Julia and Michael both explore how a seemingly normal relationship between young people can go terribly wrong. And they do so while depicting how this relationship–as well as others Gabby had with friends and family–are intermediated by social media and influencer culture.    Hidden Gems: Becoming Led Zeppelin Into the Fire   Follow: @topdocspod on Instagram and X    The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.

In March 1988, when the Board Chair of Gallaudet University, the world’s only Deaf university, announced Gallaudet’s new president, she had no idea what was about to happen. As chronicled in Nyle DiMarco and Davis Guggenheim’s riveting new documentary, “Deaf President Now!”,  the students revolted against the decision to hire yet another hearing person to lead the university and took over the campus. In the span of just over one week, their struggle would not only transform Gallaudet but write a powerful new chapter in the history of the Civil Rights Movement.   Nyle and Davis join Ken on the pod to describe this remarkable protest movement and their own dynamic creative partnership. The result is a film that combines thrilling archival footage with moving contemporary interviews and deep insights into the Deaf experience. The film’s original use of the Deaf POV and innovative sound design demonstrate that the revolution that began at Gallaudet has profoundly changed the culture and, now, the documentary form itself.   “Deaf President Now!” premieres on Apple+ on May 16.   Hidden Gems: Davis: No Other Land, Black Box Diaries Nyle: Crip Camp   Follow: @nyledimarco on Instagram X @davisguggenheim on Instagram @topdocspod on Instagram and X    The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.

Our guest today is  Garret Price, who Mike speaks to about his HBO Series “Yacht Rock: A DOCKumentary.” In addition to editing dozens of narrative and documentary series and films, Garret directed “Love, Antosha”. This is his second directorial effort for “Music Box”, the previous being, “Woodstock 99: Peace Love and Rage.”  In “Yacht Rock”, Garret not only burnishes his archival and editorial chops, but digs in for simply charming interviews with the creators of this putative outgrowth of the 70s Southern California sound.   This was a fun one folks!  Garret was game for the sort of back and forth jousting that comes when you try to nail down just what comprises this retrospectively imagined subgenre of music. And, in the process you'll hear that Mike outed himself as a Steely Dan fan. Despite that, we hope you'll take a listen!   Hidden Gems: Documentary: “Finders, Keepers” Yacht Rock: “Hey Nineteen”   Follow: @topdocspod on Instagram and X    The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.  

As we continue Season 5, Mike speaks with Alex Gibney (Agents of Chaos, Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief, Taxi to the Dark Side)  about his documentary series for HBO Max, “Wise Guy: David Chase and the Sopranos”.   If you are familiar with Gibney’s work, you will know that his documentaries often have a political topic or a political edge, so it won't surprise you that while he doesn't overly focus on it, he does explore the ways in which the legendary HBO series was a commentary on America. But the true pleasure of this documentary is to witness the incredibly deep ways that Chase's own life informed his work and–this may actually be connected–the ways that Chase used techniques that he learned from directors like Polanski, Lucci, and Kubrick to shape his own cinematic language.   Follow: @alexgibneyfilm on X @topdocspod on Instagram and X    The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.

We're kicking off our 5th Season and the beloved Netflix doc series “Chef’s Table” is celebrating its 10th anniversary with the new release of “Chef’s Table: Legends,” a special four-part series spotlighting the achievements and life lessons of four extraordinary pioneers of the kitchen who have changed the food world and culture writ large.   Joining Ken on the pod for the kickoff of Top Docs Season 5, “Chef’s Table” creator, EP and director David Gelb (“Jiro Dreams of Sushi”) and cinematographer/DP Adam Bricker (“Hacks”) describe what drew them to visionaries Jamie Oliver, José Andres, Thomas Keller and Alice Waters, and how they got these much-celebrated icons to open up about their lives and careers. In addition, David and Adam engage in a bit of introspection themselves as they reflect on the incredible cinematic edible journey that “Chef’s Table” has taken over the course of the last decade. Keep the courses coming.   Hidden Gems: David: The Fog of War, Baraka Adam: Parts Unknown – Singapore (Season 10, Episode 1)   Follow: @thisisdavidgelb on Instagram and X @realadambricker on Instagram and X @topdocspod on Instagram and X    The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.

While we gear up for Season 5, we hope you enjoy this re-release from July of 2023.  Since we spoke with Fisher, "Beckham" went on to win several Emmys including Best Documentary or Nonfiction Series and Outstanding Directing of a Documentary/Nonfiction Program for Fisher.   From the opening moments when David Beckham strolls through a country field wearing a beekeeper’s outfit, you know you’ll be witnessing another side to one of the world’s most famous people.  In “Beckham”, a 4-part series on Netflix, director Fisher Stevens (producer of  “The Cove” and “Tiger King”, and an actor on stage and screen for 40 years, most recently playing Hugo Baker on “Succession”) reveals the life and career of a man whom he says has a unique disposition:  Craving love, but determinedly individualistic.     Fisher speaks with Mike about some of Beckham’s most important relationships: his father; his manager, Sir Alex Ferguson; and his wife, Victoria, aka Posh Spice.  They discuss what control means for David, from his father’s early invocations of its importance, to Beckham’s midnight ramblings through his London home scrubbing surfaces and trimming the wicks of candles.  And they share stories of what it means to be an American fan of soccer… er, um… football.   Our "Anatomy of a Scene:  Beckham"... again, with Fisher Stevens.   Hidden Gems: Burden of Dreams   Follow: @fisherstevens and on Instagram and @fisherstevensbk on twitter @topdocspod on Instagram and twitter   The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix

As we gear up for Season 5, please enjoy one of our favorite shows.  Since we released this pod first in July of 2023, "20 Days in Mariupol" won the 2024 Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.   The letter “Z” seems innocent enough – until you see a Russian tank painted with that mark slowly turn its turret in your direction. For AP journalist Mstyslav Chernov, who, at the time, was covering the Ukrainian war from behind enemy lines in Mariupol, this was the moment when the Russians were closing in. As seen in his harrowing new documentary “20 Days in Mariupol”, in the period leading up to this, Mstyslav and his team had filmed graphic scenes of destruction and carnage at the hands of Russian bombs and shells. Contrary to Putin’s claims, civilians were being targeted by the Russian military and this team, the only international journalists left in the city, had managed to get the images out to the world.   Joining Ken on the podcast, Mstyslav discusses his frightful on-the-ground experience in Mariupol and the remarkable film that came out of it. How did Mstyslav find himself on the front lines of the propaganda war being waged by the Putin regime? Who was the enigmatic Vladimir, a kind of sage and protector, who ultimately led Mstyslav and his team to safety? And why does Mstyslav feel that, notwithstanding the terrible suffering documented in the film, there are also glimmers of hope?   Released by PBS Distribution, “20 Days in Mariupol” opens theatrically in NYC on July 14 and in LA and SF on July 21.   Hidden Gem: Sans Soleil   Follow: @mstyslav.chernov on Instagram and @mstyslav9 on twitter @topdocspod on Instagram and twitter   The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.

To finish out Season 4, we're revisiting some telling moments from 4 of our most popular shows of the season: Rob Reiner: "Albert Brooks: Defending My Life" Lucy Walker: "Mountain Queen: The Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa" Sam Lipman-Stern & Adam Bhala Lough: "Telemarketers" Ibrahim Nash'at & Shane Boris: "Hollywoodgate" The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.