Top Docs: Award-Winning Documentary Filmmakers

Immaculately produced by Daniela Alatorre and Elena Fortes and stylishly directed by Alonso Ruizpalacios (“Museo”, “Gueros”, “Narcos: Mexico”), A COP MOVIE is a dazzling hybrid documentary brain teaser and gorgeous piece of cinematic eye candy. It’s also, well, a cop movie, with a blood pumping chase scene and a pair of captivating Mexico City police officers known as “the love patrol.” At its core, the movie illuminates the systemic police corruption that plagues the Mexican police force, eroding the public’s trust and making life untenable for even the “good cops.” Mike and Ken spent a thoroughly engaging afternoon with Alonso, who, fresh off a screening at DOC NYC, set us straight about what was “real” and what was scripted, how he imbedded his actors in a police academy training program and shared a hilarious anecdote about Alfonso Cuaron’s baby dummy from “Roma”! This is the kind of documentary that even your Thanksgiving in-laws will appreciate. So, grab another slice of pie and cozy up with “A Cop Movie”. Available now on Netflix. Follow us on twitter @topdocspod   Hidden Gems:   Waltz with Bashir The Five Obstructions The English Surgeon F for Fake Also mentioned:  The Conversations: Walter Murch and the Art of Editing Film Midnight Family

“Faya dayi” is a hymnal chant recited by the Harari farmers of Ethiopia as they harvest khat, a native plant chewed for its stimulant properties. Roughly translated, faya dayi means “giving birth to wellness or health.” It is also the title of Ethiopian/Mexican filmmaker Jessica Beshir’s one-of-a-kind, profoundly moving new documentary set in the magical and troubled land where she grew up. Deeply affected by the stunning beauty and originality of the film, Ken and Mike were extremely fortunate to be able to talk to Jessica at length about her tour-de-force documentary feature debut, which she shot, directed and produced over the course of a transformative ten-year personal journey. How did Jessica maintain her faith in the project for so many years and develop the sense of self-confidence that she could pull it off? What was her inspiration for embracing an aesthetic that privileges instinct and emotion over traditional narrative devices? How did she do justice to the stories of the young people who have been struggling for freedom under a series of repressive regimes? We invite you to listen in on our conversation with Jessica for her many insights into the film. We also encourage you to experience “Faya Dayi”, a Janus Films release, on the big screen. For those in NYC, catch it at the Maysles Documentary Center 11/19 – 12/3. Congratulations to Jessica on being nominated for three IDA Documentary Awards! Follow Jessica Beshir on Twitter @jessybeshir Follow topdocs on Twitter @topdocspod   Hidden Gem:  The House is Black

While the international news media has mostly turned the page on the war in Syria, Academy Award-winning filmmaker Megan Mylan’s (“Smile Pinki”, “Lost Boys of Sudan”) new documentary “Simple as Water” shows how the shattering consequences of the war continue to reverberate through the lives of those who have been displaced, as well as those who have stayed behind. Presented in five unforgettable vignettes, the film spans the globe from Syria to Greece, Turkey, Germany, and the U.S. How is it possible to capture the sprawling nature of this terrible international tragedy while keeping the focus on the mothers and fathers, daughters and sons, brothers and sisters who are struggling to grab onto a more hopeful future? In an intimate Top Docs conversation, Megan joins Mike to talk about the close ties she formed with these families and how her experience of becoming a mother changed the way she sees the world and informed her approach to the film. Mike relates how watching the film with his own children was an eye-opening experience. It’s a film that parents everywhere will want to share with their children. It’s as simple as that. The film will have a limited theatrical run and then debuts on HBO and HBO Max on November 16th. Follow Megan on twitter @megamylan Follow us on twitter @topdocspod   Hidden Gem:  Sing Faster To support Syrian refugees:  Karam Foundation

Ask Google what Storm Lake, Iowa is famous for and you’ll learn that it’s the fourth largest glacier lake in the state and is considered the region’s best for walleye fishing. But this seemingly ordinary town of 11,000 in northwest Iowa is also the home of the Pulitzer Prize-winning biweekly The Storm Lake Times, edited by the incomparable Art Cullen. In Jerry Risius and Beth Levison’s beguiling documentary “Storm Lake,” we meet Art and the rest of the Cullen clan, who, together, are fighting the good fight for the continued survival of small, independent journalism in this country. Beth joins Mike and Ken for a delightful conversation about her thoroughly enjoyable ride of a film. We ask about topics big and small, including the future of journalism, what it’s like when the presidential primary circus comes to town, how Andrew Bird came to lend his musical chops to the film, and even what really goes on above the Better Day Cafe (hint: son Tom Cullen lived there). The podcast is free, even if the paper costs a dollar (but well worth it). You won’t want to miss our conversation or the documentary, which premieres on PBS’ Independent Lens on November 15th.   Follow Beth on twitter @Beth_Levison Follow us on twitter @topdocspod   Hidden Gems: Advocate Lydia Lunch: The War is Never Over Charm Circle Also mentioned:  Art Cullen’s Book, Storm Lake.

With two dozen feature documentaries to his credit, filmmaker Stanley Nelson has, over the course of an astonishing four-decade career, created an unparalleled chronicle of the Black experience in America. Whether documenting the early Civil Rights Movement in “Freedom Riders” and “Freedom Summer” or the fight for self-determination in “The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution,” Stanley can always be counted on to provide a wide lens, a fresh perspective, and a deep understanding of the people and forces shaping some of the U.S.’ most defining moments. In his latest film, the riveting and haunting “Attica” (see it in theaters and on Showtime November 6th), Stanley and co-director Traci A. Curry, re-visit the story of the largest prison rebellion in the history of the U.S. Join Ken in his wide ranging and deep dive conversation with Stanley. We learn how the creative team left no stone unturned to unearth every conceivable photograph, film clip and testimonial that might shed light on the unprecedented events of Attica. Ken asks Stanley about the challenges of bringing to life the culminating events of the prison rebellion’s fifth and final day. And Stanley weighs in on whether the rebellion’s tragic ending could have turned out any differently. Always thoughtful, and occasionally surprising, Stanley proves to be every bit as engaging and creatively inspired as each of those 24 films. Follow Stanley on twitter @StanleyNelson1 Follow us on twitter @topdocspod Hidden Gem:  Through the Night

Continuing our Series on Emmy-nominated films.  From “Derrida” to “Outrage” and culminating in the hugely impactful “The Invisible War” and “The Hunting Ground,”  Amy Ziering and Kirby Dick have proven themselves to be the dynamic duo of documentary. Shining a light on sexual abuse and the subsequent conspiracy of silence and coverups inside some of America’s most powerful institutions, Kirby and Amy have left no stone unturned in their pursuit of justice and reform. In “Allen v. Farrow,” their multipart documentary for HBO Max (and their first foray into docuseries), Amy and Kirby re-examine the events and evidence surrounding Woody Allen’s alleged sexual abuse in 1992 of his adopted daughter Dylan and build a formidable case against Allen. The strength and poignancy of the series comes from the rigor of their investigation and from the film’s main storyteller, Dylan Farrow, whose voice has been silenced for far too long. Mike and Ken, once — and now former — Woody Allen fans explore with Amy and Kirby the long journey of Allen v. Farrow, which began with interviews with survivors of incest and eventually led to the Connecticut country house of Mia Farrow and the traumatic events that took place there in August 1992. We delve into Amy and Kirby’s exhaustive research strategies and deconstruct how the pair approach the interviews that form the core of their emotional powerful filmmaking. We also learn about the surprising interviews that took place with critics following the film’s release. In addition to fascinating behind-the-scenes stories, this week’s podcast is also a window into a great creative relationship chock full of insights for anyone who has collaborated closely with a partner on a creative project. You won’t want to miss it! Follow us on twitter @topdocspod   Hidden Gems: The Emperor’s Naked Army Marches On Heart of a Dog Sans Soeil Koyaanisqatsi Sick: The Life and Death of Bob Flanagan, Supermasochist  

“The Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.” Yes, nuns. A lot of nuns. A lot of LA nuns to be precise. Rebellious, brilliant, creative, socially committed, take-no-cr*p-from-anybody nuns. These are the Sisters who form the heart-and-soul of Pedro Kos’ joyful new documentary “Rebel Hearts,” a portrait of a trailblazing group of nuns in Los Angeles who took up the banner of the social and political activism of the 1960s and bravely stood up to the hierarchy of the Catholic Church. (Now screening on the Discovery + platform.) It’s a story of political power, a mostly forgotten civil rights struggle and a riveting human drama all rolled up in one. Mike, a product of Catholic schools himself, gets things rolling with a conversation with his sister Kara, who shares her experience with Catholic education and has some fascinating insights into how the nuns she knew helped shape who she is today.  Mike and Ken then delve into director Pedro Kos’ background to learn how his upbringing in Brazil was influenced by the Catholic Church. From there, it’s a deep dive into the story of the Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary and into the long, winding creative journey of the filmmakers. From animation to motion graphics to an exceptional musical score (and original songs by Sharon Van Etten and Rufus Wainwright), they used every tool in the toolkit to bring this important story to cinematic life. If a film about a group of nuns doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, we challenge your preconceptions of what a compelling documentary subject can be. Have faith. After seeing this highly inspirational film and hearing all that Pedro has to say, you will thank us… and maybe a higher power, too… for the extraordinary gift that is “Rebel Hearts.” Follow us on twitter @topdocspod Hidden Gem:  Land of Gold  

“Disco sucks!” Be honest. Did you ever utter that phrase in a weak moment brought on by hard rock/punk music-induced peer pressure? Legendary filmmaker Frank Marshall, who has produced some of Hollywood’s biggest films, makes his documentary directing debut with “The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart,” a thoroughly satisfying corrective that finally gives just due to one of rock music’s greatest bands. Archival gems and transcendent performance footage are seamlessly interwoven with a deeply personal interview with Barry Gibb and refreshing insights from contemporary musicians and massive Bee Gees fans including Justin Timberlake, Noel Gallagher, and Chris Martin. “Bee Gees” writer and producer Mark Monroe joins us on Top Docs to share many insights from the making of the film and to break down how he, as the writer on the film (and on many top docs, including Oscar® winners, “The Cove” and “Icarus”), helped develop the story’s creative arc. What’s Mark’s process for applying classic three-act structure to the documentary form in order to land a film’s emotional highs and lows? What went down on the recording of the “Saturday Night Fever” soundtrack and what really was behind the infamous “disco sucks” movement of the late ‘70s, anyway? Mark also shares his own story about how, at one point, peer pressure turned him away from the Bee Gees. How can you mend a broken heart? Dust off your old Bee Gees LPs (or 8-track or cassette player…) and tune in to this week’s Top Docs episode to find out. And that’s no jive talkin’! Follow us on twitter @topdocspod Hidden Gem:  No End in Sight

Ken and Mike welcome Kirsten (KJ) Johnson, who recently won Best Director for her groundbreaking film, "Dick Johnson is Dead." This film is like no other film you’ll find in your Netflix queue. KJ’s boundary-pushing documentary uses the art of cinema to keep the ravages of time and the onset of dementia from taking her beloved father Dick away from her. The solution? Keep killing her father over-and-over again on camera, all with Dick’s active participation and encouragement.  Once you survive the film, you’ll definitely want to join Mike and Ken for this refreshingly candid conversation with KJ who constantly questions everything (including our questions!) and proves herself to be every bit as provocative, playful and engaging as the film itself. Covering everything from Seventh-day Adventism and the best way to stage your father’s funeral while he’s still alive to Vertov’s Man with a Movie Camera and, of course, chocolate cake, this week’s podcast is one you’ll be dying to listen to. And look out for that falling air conditioner!  You can follow us on twitter @topdocspod Other films directed by Kirsten Johnson: Cameraperson Deadline   People who worked on the film: Judy Karp Michael Hilow Nels Bangerter Peter Horner Nadia Hallgren John Foster Simon Mendes Marilyn Ness   Hidden Gem:  Marjoe   Also mentioned in the pod: Ousmane Sembène  Djibril Diop Mambéty Wellington Bowler Young Frankenstein Monty Python’s Flying Circus Charles Addams Lacan on social death  Derrida (the documentary) Quantum Entanglement The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill  

Continuing their series on Emmy-nominated films, Mike and Ken delve into their first historical documentary for Top Docs in this deep dive conversation with Peabody Award-winning filmmaker Marco Williams (Banished, Two Towns of Jasper), one of the directors of the History Channel’s Emmy-nominated Tulsa Burning: The 1921 Race Massacre. (Co-directed with Stanley Nelson) Tulsa Burning traces the under told story of the Greenwood District of Tulsa, Oklahoma, the thriving African-American community known as “Black Wall Street”, from its founding in the early 1900s through its near destruction during the tragic 1921 massacre by local whites that killed hundreds of African-Americans. How did Marco Williams do justice to this horrific and yet all-too common story of white vengeance against Black people? How did he grapple with the crucial question of who gets to tell this story?  And, making the film during the height of George Floyd’s murder and local protests over police killings of Black Tulsans, what were the specific storytelling challenges of converging the past and the present? Join us for a candid conversation with Marco, who, after a remarkable 40-year filmmaking career, continues to approach his work with the ethos, “I’m still learning how to make films.” You can find Marco @hiptruth You can follow us on twitter @topdocspod   Other films by Marco Williams: Banished Two Towns of Jasper Murders that Matter   Also discussed in the Pod: Black Swan Records Stanley Nelson’s Attica Observational documentary as one of the 6 types of documentaries Russell Westbrook’s Enterprises Black Codes and Jim Crow Laws Red Summer The police killing of Terrence Crutcher Greenwood Rising Events of the Tulsa Disaster Recommended:  This New York Times 3D Model of what was lost in the 1921 massacre