The Art of Documentary

Host Jim LeBrecht speaks to documentary filmmaker Roger Ross Williams about the power of story, and how it moved him to start making films. They also discuss the process of making his newest film, Life Animated. Life Animated is an inspiring story of Owen Suskind, who was diagnosed with nonverbal autism and found new ways to interact with the world through Disney animated films. Life Animated is available to be streamed for free on Youtube, The Roku Channel, and more, while his previous documentary Apollo is available to stream on HBO Max. Transcript

Host Jim LeBrecht speaks to documentary filmmaker Garrett Bradley about her life growing up in New York City. They delve into the idea of surveillance in our society and how it influenced her to become a filmmaker. They also discuss the process of making her most recent film Time, the Oscar-nominated documentary feature on entrepreneur Fox Rich's fight to get her husband released from prison. Time is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video. Transcript

Host Jim LeBrecht speaks to documentary filmmaker Kirsten Johnson about her life, her history as a cinematographer and the film Cameraperson, which documents her many years working behind the camera. They also discuss her father, Dick Johnson, and what inspired her to make the film Dick Johnson is Dead. Dick Johnson is Dead is available to stream on Netflix, and Cameraperson is available to stream on HBO Max. Transcript

Host Jim LeBrecht speaks to documentary filmmakers Chase Joynt and Aisling Chin-Yee about the making of their film No Ordinary Man. They discuss the complex history of how society has perceived trans people and the importance of representation of gender and sexuality in media. No Ordinary Man is available to rent or purchase on Amazon Prime Video. Transcript

Host Jim LeBrecht speaks to documentary filmmaker Bing Liu about his life growing up as an immigrant in America. He talks about how skateboarding helped jumpstart his career as a filmmaker, and the process of making his most recent films–Minding the Gap and All These Sons. Minding the Gap is available to stream on Hulu. Transcript

Host Jim LeBrecht speaks to documentary filmmaker Danny Cohen about his career and the process of making his most recent film, Anonymous Club –which follows Australian songwriter and musician Courtney Barnett over 3 years of touring, music, and life. Anonymous Club is available to rent or purchase on Google Play and you can find more information about the film at https://www.anonymousclubfilm.com. Transcript

Stay tuned this season of The Art of Documentary. Our host, Jim LeBrecht, has in-depth and captivating interviews with some of the most talented documentary filmmakers of our time. Brought to you by Academy Originals.