Pure Nonfiction: Inside Documentary Film
Pure Nonfiction
If you love documentary films, hear from the top storytellers on Pure Nonfiction. Host Thom Powers is well-connected in this world as a documentary curator for the Toronto International Film Festival, DOC NYC, and SundanceNow Doc Club. He leads conversations that are frank, funny and revealing. Listen to interviews with Oscar-winning filmmakers Barbara Kopple, Alex Gibney, and Roger Ross Williams; as well as the directors of “Making a Murderer,” “Weiner” and “OJ: Made in America.” Often the stories behind the scenes are as dramatic as what’s on the screen. On Twitter, Facebook, Instagram: @purenonfiction. Subscribe now.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 17, 2019 • 41min
93: Astra Taylor on “What is Democracy?”
This interview was recorded at SVA’s MFA Social Documentary department.On Twitter: @astradisastra @thompowers @PureNonfiction
Dec 6, 2018 • 43min
92: Aretha Franklin in “Amazing Grace,” Lost and Found
On Twitter: @TheRevAl @RevDrBarber @nelsongeorge @TirrellWhittley @thompowers @PureNonfiction
Nov 29, 2018 • 57min
91: Mr. Rogers, Quincy Jones, Jane Fonda & Pope Francis Walk Into a Bar
Related Pure Nonfiction episodes:11: Morgan Neville 46: Rashida Jones77: Wim Wenders90: DOC NYC Short List filmmakers on “Getting Political” On Twitter: @ThePopeMovie @QuincyDJones @MrRogersMovie @TremoloDocs @HBODocs @thompowers @PureNonfiction
Nov 15, 2018 • 46min
90: Michael Moore, Julie Cohen, Annie Sundberg & Stephen Maing on “Getting Political”
On Twitter: @MMFlint @FilmmakerJulie @anniesundberg @mainmaing @thompowers @purenonfictionPure Nonfiction is distributed by the TIFF podcast network.
Nov 8, 2018 • 34min
89: Opal H. Bennett on Short Documentaries
On Twitter: @oh_benn @docnycfest @thompowers @purenonfiction
Nov 1, 2018 • 1h 2min
88: DOC NYC Preview 2018
On Twitter: @DOCNYCfest @Raphaellochka @1basil1 @thompowers @PureNonfiction This episode was recorded at the School of Visual Arts MFA Social Documentary Department. Pure Nonfiction is distributed by the TIFF podcast network.
5 snips
Oct 25, 2018 • 30min
87: Sandi Tan on “Shirkers"
Sandy Tan, director of the groundbreaking documentary 'Shirkers,' shares her remarkable journey as a teenage filmmaker in the 1990s. She discusses the creative betrayal by her mentor and how it shaped her artistic path. An emotional story unfolds as she recounts the rediscovery of lost film reels, blending nostalgia with her current life as a novelist. Tan reflects on her transition from writing to filmmaking, revealing the joys of collaboration and the vibrant connections she made at Sundance that reinvigorated her passion for cinema.
Oct 18, 2018 • 37min
86: Alex Gibney & Trevor Birney, Wanted in Belfast
On Twitter: @alexgibneyfilm @trevorbirney @Barry_TheDetail @PureNonfiction @thompowers
Aug 2, 2018 • 48min
85: Maxim Pozdorovkin on Trump, Putin & Pussy Riot
On Twitter: @maximpoz @thompowers @PureNonfictionPure Nonfiction is distributed by the TIFF podcast network.
Jul 26, 2018 • 45min
84: Matt Tyrnauer on “Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood”
On Twitter: @mtyrnauer @scottythemovie @ScottyBowers @thompowers @PureNonfiction This interview took place at the School of Visual Arts in the MFA Social Documentary Program. Pure Nonfiction is distributed by the TIFF podcast network.Note: This episode contains explicit content.
