Top Docs: Award-Winning Documentary Filmmakers

She could turn the world on with her smile. But, for the “real” Mary Tyler Moore — one of the biggest television stars of the 1970s — what lay beneath that smile? In his engrossing and incisive documentary “Being Mary Tyler Moore”, filmmaker James Adolphus (“Soul of a Nation”, “You Ain’t Got These”) presents a three-dimensional portrait of MTM, placing her in cultural context and illustrating what made her such a singular talent.   Joining Ken on the podcast, James describes his unexpected and thorough approach to the topic and how, eventually, Mary completely won him over. How is it that someone who had never seen a minute of the “Dick Van Dyke Show”, “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” or the film “Ordinary People” came to direct this project? In what ways did Mary’s appearance on “The David Susskind Show” and in an interview with Rona Barrett illuminate both how Mary was perceived and how she asserted herself? And how did Mary’s final marriage with Dr. Robert Levine prove to be a truly liberating love story?   “Being Mary Tyler Moore”, which is nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special, is available for streaming on Max.   Hidden Gem: Killer of Sheep   Follow: @JamesAdolphus on Instagram and twitter @topdocspod on Instagram and twitter   The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.

Director Lana Wilson says that in “Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields” she’s showing how Shields found her way from “object of beauty to becoming a human being.”  It’s a dramatic thesis, but one that Wilson brings to life in this Emmy-nominated documentary series.  After the original “Pretty Baby”, “The Blue Lagoon”, and the Jordache Jeans commercials, Brooke found herself in her 4 years of college–where she developed both intellectually and artistically– and ultimately became the comic actor we see in “Suddenly Susan”.  While the series is grounded in the deep archive of film from Booke’s career, some of the most telling footage is shot at her contemporary dinner table, surrounded by her two teenage daughters and her loving husband as they respectfully but seriously consider the meaning and undercurrents of her youthful work.   “Pretty Baby” is available on Hulu.   Hidden Gem: Of Men and War   Follow: @lanawilson on Instagram and twitter @brookeshields on Instagram and twitter @topdocspod on Instagram and twitter   The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.

It’s one thing to be a socially conscious pop musician; it’s an entirely different matter when that musician attempts to parlay his popularity in the music world into the political arena. For Afrobeat star Bobi Wine — whose personal and political journey is the centerpiece of the remarkable new documentary “Bobi Wine: The People’s President” — the stakes couldn’t be higher. His home country of Uganda faces daunting economic challenges and experiences rampant political corruption. When Bobi becomes a candidate in the 2021 presidential election, his campaign catches fire with tens of thousands of Ugandans, In response, the country’s longtime strongman, President Yoweri Museveni, perceives a serious threat to his hold on power and will stop at nothing to prevent Bobi from winning the election.   Joining Ken on the podcast, directors Moses Bwayo and Christopher Sharp chart the remarkable rise of Bobi Wine and the frightening acts of violence perpetrated by the ruling government against Bobi, his team and their supporters. How did Bobi Wine first come to the attention of the two directors and what brought them together to begin documenting this campaign? With so many graphic scenes of violence captured on film, how did they choose which scenes would be the most impactful? And, in the course of getting to know Bobi and his wife Barbie, how did the couple’s enduring love for each other become a central part of the story and a source of strength that not even the government of Uganda could touch.    Released by National Geographic Documentary Films, “Bobi Wine: The People’s President” opens theatrically July 28.   Hidden Gem: Coach Zoran and His African Tigers   Follow: @natgeodocs on Instagram and twitter @topdocspod on Instagram and twitter   The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.

A young woman who gets into an argument over a drinking glass.  A student who is suspended from his university for calling out its exorbitant fees.  An activist who runs afoul of the government.  All–and many more–are accused of violating Pakistan’s blasphemy laws: some of the strictest on the planet, featuring death as their ultimate punishment.   But the director of “The Accused:  Damned or Devoted?” Mohammed (“Mo”) Ali Naqvi not only tells these individual stories but charts the rise of the cleric Khadim Hussain Rizvi and his TLP party who use the furtherance of the blasphemy laws as the signature plank of their political platform.  And while Rizvi claims that he is more interested in “chopping heads” than winning votes, Naqvi’s film asks if the same can be said for Prime Minister Imran Khan and the Pakistani government.   “The Accused” has been nominated for the Emmy Award for Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking.  It can be seen on World.   Hidden Gem: All That Perishes at the Edge of Land   Follow: @manaqvi on twitter @topdocspod on Instagram and twitter   The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.

 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.

Laura McGann’s “The Deepest Breath” is a film about two young people fated to meet despite their differences.  Alessia is driven from a young age to compete:  Holding her breath for minutes at a time in both the pool and the sea.  Stephen travels the world, torn between his desire to see new people and places and his longing for home, and a more conventional life.     But it’s also about the wisdom of age, as we see their fathers–Enzo and Peter–dealing with the tragic outcome of their children’s intertwining.  One eternally grateful, the other grieving, but coming to realize that his child’s life was one well-spent.   Join Mike as he discusses with Laura her visually and dramatically compelling film, one that almost literally immerses you in the beautiful, thrilling, but sometimes dangerous world of freediving.     The “Deepest Breath” will be screening in select theaters July 14th, and streaming on Netflix beginning on July 19th.   Hidden Gem: “Wildcat”   Follow: @LauraMcGann on Instagram and twitter @topdocspod on Instagram and twitter   The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.

When Academy Award®-nominated, Emmy®-winning filmmaker Julie Cohen (“RBG”, “My Name is Pauli Murray”) came across the NBC News archival footage of sexologist John Money and his patient David Reimer, she knew that this story had legs. But what she couldn’t have anticipated is that this dark chapter in the history of gender identity would lead her toward what ultimately became her groundbreaking new documentary “Every Body” – a major new film about Intersex people.   Making her third visit to Top Docs (but her first without frequent filmmaking partner Betsy West), Julie joins Ken to discuss her celebration of people who identify as the “I” in LGBTQIA+. Who was John Money and why was his work on gender identity so consequential — and harmful? How did she connect with the three film’s main participants, River Gallo, Alicia Roth Weigel and Sean Saifa Wall, and why did she choose to center the film around their stories? And in what ways are these three activists now leading the fight against unnecessary surgeries? With its focus on Intersex people and their long overdue fight for justice, “Every Body” is a film that “everybody” can and should embrace.   Released by Focus Features, “Every Body” is now in theaters everywhere.   Hidden Gem: “Hidden Letters”   Follow: @filmmakerjulie on Instagram and twitter @topdocspod on Instagram and twitter   The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.

  Filmmaker Ryan White (“Good Night Oppy”, “The Keepers”) had no desire to make a documentary about ‘90s superstar Pamela Anderson. Not when the idea was first brought to him, anyway. But then, Pamela’s son urged him to at least meet his mother on Zoom. And that was all it took. Ryan quickly realized that the media image of Pamela as a two-dimensional blonde bombshell and attention-driven celebrity was not at all an accurate picture of the complex, intelligent, and funny person he would get to know while filming what became Ryan’s highly engaging new documentary “Pamela, a love story”.   Making a return visit to Top Docs, Ryan describes how vastly different his experience was making “Pamela” from his last film “Good Night Oppy”. What was it like for Ryan to have Pamela turn over her entire personal archive of diaries and videotapes and empower him to decide how to use them? How did Pamela’s spontaneous nature create the kind of atmosphere on set where anything could happen? And how did Ryan navigate the difficult waters of the Pamela and Tommy Lee sex tapes, which he knew had to be addressed, but which would likely bring up painful memories for Pamela? “Pamela” is a totally refreshing portrait that explores the many sides of love. Thank goodness for that Zoom call.   “Pamela, a love story” is currently streaming on Netflix.   Hidden Gems: “Between the Rains” “Q”   Follow: @white815 on Instagram and @ryanwhiteIV on twitter @pamelaanderson on Instagram and twitter @topdocspod on Instagram and twitter   The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.

6 young adults on a boat ride home after a clambake.  It sounds everyday, even idyllic, but when the inebriated young scion of a local legal dynasty crashes the boat into a bridge, one of the young people loses her life.  And “The Murder Murders: A Southern Scandal” traces how the ramifications ultimately lead to a double murder, as well as revealed a longstanding pattern of widespread theft and previous suspicious deaths.   Director Julia Willoughby Nason and Executive Producer Michael Gasparro (both of Fyre Fraud) joined Mike to talk about how their 3 part series on Netflix draws upon the conventions of “true crime” while also exploring a series of interlocking, intergenerational friendships as well as the broader social hierarchy of a rural county.  How did they navigate the intricate web of rumor to find out the truth about the once seemingly all-powerful Murdaugh family?   The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.   Hidden Gems: Silver Blake Life Smartless: On the Road   Follow @topdocspod on Instagram and twitter

Meet The McNamara’s, the first family of big wave surfing. Garrett McNamara is one of the world’s premier big wave surfers; wife Nicole is a top big wave spotter; Nicole’s brother CJ rides the big waves, too. Now, son Barrel is (perhaps) on the path following in dad’s footsteps. If season 1 of HBO’s enthralling docuseries “!00 Foot Wave” was all about the pursuit of that illusive triple digit milestone, season 2 digs deeper into the rich and complex personalities who make up the elite big wave surfing community.    Joining Ken to discuss season 2 is Executive Producer Joe Lewis  (“Fleabag”, “Transparent”) – making his second appearance on Top Docs  – and Nicole McNamara, one of the series’ featured participants. How did Joe and director Chris Smith (“Tiger King”, “American Movie”) go about choosing new people to feature in season 2? What was it like for Nicole to confront major health issues during a very difficult pregnancy while husband Garrett seemed more focused on the big waves than on her? And how did cinematographer Karl Sandrock become an adjunct member of this unique family?    “100 Foot Wave, Season 2” is currently streaming on Max.   After you enjoy our conversation, be sure to check out the HBO Original 100 Foot Wave Podcast, which features Nicole as host interviewing many of the series’ standout characters (Top Doc’s own Mike and Ken served as Consulting Producers).   Follow: @JoeLewis on Instagram and twitter @mcnamara_s on Instagram @topdocspod on Instagram and twitter   The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.