Factual America

Factual America

Soho Podcasts

Factual America examines America through the lens of documentary filmmaking. Guests include Academy Award, Emmy and Grammy-winning documentary filmmakers and producers, their subjects, as well as experts on the American experience. Find out more about the current and upcoming documentaries on Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Apple TV+, Sky Documentaries and other platforms directly from the creators. Whether we discuss true crime, music, burning social and political topics, history, or arts, Factual America is your #1 documentary film podcast. Factual America is produced by Alamo Pictures, a London- and Austin-based production company that makes documentaries about the US from a European...

R.J. Cutler on 'Martha': Capturing an Icon's Rise, Fall, and Resilience

R.J. Cutler on 'Martha': Capturing an Icon's Rise, Fall, and Resilience

In this episode, Matthew sits down with acclaimed filmmaker R.J. Cutler to discuss his latest Netflix documentary, 'Martha'. Cutler offers fascinating insights into the making of the film, which chronicles the life and career of Martha Stewart, the iconic businesswoman and lifestyle guru. Discover how Cutler gained unprecedented access to Stewart and her vast personal archives, and learn about the challenges he faced in capturing her complex story. The director shares his perspective on Stewart'

Nov 12, 2024 • 28:11

Unsolved Mysteries: the original true-crime series

Unsolved Mysteries: the original true-crime series

Unsolved murders, paranormal activity, and UFOs. Unsolved Mysteries, the iconic docu-series that was a staple of TV in the 80s and 90s is back on Netflix with Volume 5. Joining Matthew Sherwood on Factual America is multiple Emmy nominated filmmaker Terry Dunn Meurer, the co-creator and producer of Unsolved Mysteries. She shares the secrets of Unsolved Mysteries’ success and why we have such a fascination with true crime and the unexplained. The filmmaker also describes the different cases the n

Oct 23, 2024 • 30:08

How not to rig an election: Stopping the Steal

How not to rig an election: Stopping the Steal

Stopping the Steal gives an inside account of Donald Trump's challenge to the 2020 presidential election results and how an unsung group of Republican politicians, staffers, and election officials prevented the election from being stolen. Joining Matthew Sherwood on Factual America is Emmy and Bafta-winning director and producer Dan Reed. He discusses why he decided to interview pro-Trump Republicans about the election and the benefits he experienced being a British reporter. Dan explains what c

Oct 13, 2024 • 31:51

Paul Simon: Faith, Mortality & Music – with Alex Gibney

Paul Simon: Faith, Mortality & Music – with Alex Gibney

In Restless Dreams: The Music of Paul Simon surveys the studio as Paul records his new album Seven Psalms while reflecting on his six-decade career and wrestling with the issues of faith and mortality. Joining Matthew Sherwood on Factual America is Oscar-winning director Alex Gibney, who discusses the impact Paul Simon had on American culture and music, the inspiration behind Paul’s album Seven Psalms, and the challenges of making a documentary about a musical icon. Alex explains his own creativ

Jul 7, 2024 • 39:14

The 7M TikTok Dance Cult: Dancing for the Devil

The 7M TikTok Dance Cult: Dancing for the Devil

Dancing For The Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult explores the experiences of a group of prominent TikTok dancers who are trapped in a cult masquerading as a management company. In the process the film uncovers disturbing truths about the agenda of Robert Shinn, the cult’s founder and pastor of the Shekinah Church. Joining Matthew Sherwood on Factual America are executive producers Jessica Acevedo and director Derek Doneen, who discuss the making of the film and the challenges of interviewing people who

Jun 20, 2024 • 48:12

Relationship Hack – Ashley Madison: Sex, Lies & Scandal

Relationship Hack – Ashley Madison: Sex, Lies & Scandal

In 2002 the Ashley Madison website went live. It was a dating agency with a difference for its targets were people already in relationships. Inevitably, Ashley Madison was roundly criticised. The company’s CEO, however, stated that affairs actually helped marriages. In 2015, hackers broke into the website and published the names, addresses, credit card information, and more of every user. Relationships were destroyed, and some of those named committed suicide. Directed by Toby Paton, Ashley Madi

May 15, 2024 • 34:42

Terrorism and Tragedy - An American Bombing: The Road to April 19th

Terrorism and Tragedy - An American Bombing: The Road to April 19th

It’s April 19th 1995, the 220th anniversary of the start of the American War of Independence, and two years since the violent end of the Waco, Texas siege. In Oklahoma City, a disaffected army veteran named Timothy McVeigh leaves a truck outside the Alfred P Murrah Federal Building. Inside the truck is a bomb. At 9am, McVeigh lights the two minute fuse. When the bomb explodes, it kills 168 people and wounds 680 more.  In An American Bombing: The Road to April 19th, Marc Levin retraces McVeigh’s

Apr 24, 2024 • 1:00:30

A Brief History of the Future: Making the World A Better Place

A Brief History of the Future: Making the World A Better Place

Climate change, terrorism, social inequality and poverty, wars between nations, and injustice. Things do not look too good for the world today, and there seems to be little to no hope for the future. A Brief History of the Future, a new docu-series on PBS, challenges this pessimistic outlook. Directed by Andrew Morgan and presented by Ari Wallach, the series visits people from all over the world who are doing something – no matter how big or small – to make the world a better place, not just for

Apr 18, 2024 • 49:51

Against All Enemies: US Veterans Fighting Their Own Country

Against All Enemies: US Veterans Fighting Their Own Country

Why would US military veterans take up arms against the country they swore to protect? This is the question at the heart of Against All Enemies, a new documentary by Charlie Sadoff. In it, Charlie explores the role disaffected veterans played in the January 6th attack on the US Capitol.  In order to better understand what happened on that day, he looks at the history of civil unrest involving veterans, from groups such as the Ku Klux Klan through to modern day extremist organisations like the Pr

Apr 4, 2024 • 49:11

God Save Texas: Life in the Land of Oil and Gas

God Save Texas: Life in the Land of Oil and Gas

God Save Texas is a three-part docu-series inspired by Lawrence Wright’s book of the same name. In each episode, an acclaimed filmmaker explores the past, present, and future of the Lone Star State.  Episode One is directed by Richard Linklater, Episode Three by Iliana Sosa. Episode Two is directed by Alex Stapleton, and she joins Matthew Sherwood to discuss what it was like returning to her hometown of Houston to explore the effect of Texas’ oil and gas industry on her family and local communit

Mar 27, 2024 • 49:27

The NFL’s Greatest Dynasty: New England Patriots

The NFL’s Greatest Dynasty: New England Patriots

Between 2001-19, head coach Bill Belichick created one of the most successful dynasties ever seen in American football. Under his leadership, the New England Patriots won a record equalling six Super Bowl titles. Guided by quarterback Tom Brady, the team also set a host of other NFL records, including most wins over a ten year period, longest regular season/play-off winning streak, and most consecutive divisional titles. But this era of nearly unprecedented success did not come without a cost, a

Mar 14, 2024 • 58:28

Amityville: Origins of the Horror Story

Amityville: Origins of the Horror Story

On November 13th 1974, Ronald DeFeo shot his family dead in Amityville, New York. Not long after he was convicted of the killings, the Lutz family moved into the DeFeos’ former home. They did not stay long. After just 28 days, they fled, claiming to have been driven out by paranormal activity. The Lutz family’s experience formed the basis of The Amityville Horror. Released in 1979, it went on to spawn a seemingly endless number of sequels, prequels, and derivatives: over 40 to date. In his docu-

Mar 5, 2024 • 42:29

Investigating the Octopus Murders: An American Conspiracy

Investigating the Octopus Murders: An American Conspiracy

The 1980s were a time of allegation and scandal in America. From the 1980 October Surprise, 1985-87 Iran-Contra Affair, and 1986-91 BCCI scandal, the decade seemed only to be going downhill. And in the midst of it all, the US Justice Department was accused of stealing PROMIS, a piece of software that could be used to create a programme that would allow the US government to spy on whomever used it. Danny Casolaro was a writer, poet, and investigative journalist. At the start of the 1990s, he bega

Feb 28, 2024 • 48:14

MMA’s Unbreakable Tatiana Suarez | Fighting for her Life in the UFC | Q&A with Cassius Corrigan

MMA’s Unbreakable Tatiana Suarez | Fighting for her Life in the UFC | Q&A with Cassius Corrigan

Tatiana Suarez was born into poverty, endured a “tumultuous [and] traumatic childhood”, and at school chose to compete in a sport – wrestling – that led to her being relentlessly bullied. She overcame every obstacle that life and people put in front of her and became a champion. And not just once, but multiple times. Finally, the greatest prize of all, Olympic glory, lay within her grasp. And then, she broke her neck. And as that was being treated, doctors discovered that Tatiana had cancer. In

Feb 14, 2024 • 41:42

Challenging Zuckerberg’s Metanarrative

Challenging Zuckerberg’s Metanarrative

Who is Mark Zuckerberg? That is the question at the heart of Nick Green’s new Sky documentary, Zuckerberg: King of the Metaverse.  We all know how Zuckerberg took Facebook from being a website accessible to just a few American college students in 2004 to one that is used by over a billion people worldwide in 2024. Along the way, he has acquired Instagram and WhatsApp making him one of the most wide reaching and influential men in the world today. But what are his thoughts? His views? What does h

Feb 1, 2024 • 55:53

American Nightmare: Unravelling Crimes That Never Were

American Nightmare: Unravelling Crimes That Never Were

On the night of March 23rd 2015, Denise Huskins and Aaron Quinn were drugged and bound by a mystery assailant who had broken into their home. Denise was then kidnapped. When Aaron called the police the next day, they believed he had murdered her. Two days later, however, Denise – who had been sexually assaulted by her kidnapper - was freed. Now the police believed no crime had been committed at all, and that Aaron and Denise were hoaxers. The psychological thriller Gone Girl had been released ju

Jan 18, 2024 • 35:06

Inside Lady Bird Johnson’s White House: Recording a Public and Private Life

Inside Lady Bird Johnson’s White House: Recording a Public and Private Life

Lady Bird Johnson is best known today as the wife of Lyndon Baines Johnson, 36th President of the USA between 1963-69. However, there was much more to her life than simply the role of ‘First Lady’. In this episode of Factual America, Matthew Sherwood takes a deep dive into Lady Bird Johnson’s life with Dawn Porter, director of new documentary film, The Lady Bird Diaries.  It’s 1963. Liz Carpenter, Lady Bird’s Press Secretary, suggests that she records her ‘thoughts and experiences’ on a tape rec

Dec 22, 2023 • 32:06

Finding Hope amidst Hate in A Town Called Victoria

Finding Hope amidst Hate in A Town Called Victoria

On January 28th 2017, a mosque in Victoria, Texas was burnt to the ground by an arsonist. In the aftermath, Victorians stood side-by-side with their Muslim neighbours. In A Town Called Victoria, Li Lu – who grew up in nearby Sugar Land, Texas – explores what happened next: to the town, its Islamic community, and to the arsonist, who was soon apprehended. Li joins Matthew Sherwood to discuss her series, its themes, which include white supremacy, patriotism and mental illness, as well as the limit

Dec 13, 2023 • 26:34

Stamping Out Racist Lies: America’s Truth

Stamping Out Racist Lies: America’s Truth

Racism is a blight upon the United States of America, and has been all through the country’s history.  In Stamped from the Beginning, a documentary film featuring and based on the book of the same name by Dr. Ibram X Kendi, director Roger Ross Williams explores the history of racist ideas in the US. Using an innovative array of methods, including VFX, animation, and music, he explores how the Trans-Atlantic slave trade gave birth to racist ideas, and how racist myths regarding black hypersexuali

Dec 6, 2023 • 22:01

How the Cabbage Patch Kids Conquered America

How the Cabbage Patch Kids Conquered America

In 1983 America was overwhelmed by a disaster, the likes of which it had never seen before. Hysteria led to riots; mayhem became the norm. And the reason? Chubby, potato faced toys: the Cabbage Patch Kids. In this episode of Factual America, Matthew Sherwood meets Dan Goodman, co-executive producer of Billion Dollar Babies, a documentary about the rise and rise of the awkward looking but homely and utterly desirable Cabbage Patch Kids.  They discuss the origin of the Cabbage Patch Kids’ success,

Nov 30, 2023 • 37:08

Wisdom in the Shadows of Dementia

Wisdom in the Shadows of Dementia

In 1999, Rose Tajiri, a second-generation Japanese-American, was diagnosed with dementia. She was 76. Over the following years, as her condition worsened, her daughter, filmmaker Rea Tajiri, became her caregiver.  In Wisdom Gone Wild Rea documents the journey that she and her mother took together, a journey that sees them navigate both the now of life with dementia and the past as Rose recalls memories from her early years, including the time she spent in an internment camp during the Second Wor

Nov 22, 2023 • 35:33

Carlos Santana: Discovering the Spirit of the Man.

Carlos Santana: Discovering the Spirit of the Man.

Carlos is a documentary that takes the viewer from legendary guitarist Carlos Santana’s beginnings in Mexico to concerts across the world in a musical career that has lasted over fifty years. It goes off-stage as well, exploring his spiritual journey and life with his family, from mother and father, to siblings, and children. In this episode of Factual America, Matthew Sherwood meets Carlos’ director, Rudy Valdez, to discuss Santana’s storied life. Their conversation reveals Carlos as an innovat

Nov 15, 2023 • 48:43

Sylvester Stallone: Portrait of a Son, Icon, and Man

Sylvester Stallone: Portrait of a Son, Icon, and Man

To call Sylvester Stallone a film star is only the beginning of any conversation about him. Movies such as Rocky and Rambo have made him an American icon. But even that barely scrapes the surface of who he really is.  In Sly, a new documentary film available to watch now on Netflix, director Thom Zimny takes a deep dive into Sylvester Stallone’s story. He starts with the actor we all know before introducing us to the man behind the persona: Stallone the writer, director, and even, painter. He go

Nov 8, 2023 • 29:19

Something Ghostly This Way Comes: The Enfield Poltergeist

Something Ghostly This Way Comes: The Enfield Poltergeist

In The Enfield Poltergeist, Jerry Rothwell uses over 250 hours of audio recordings made by paranormal investigator Maurice Grosse to revisit the case of 284 Green Street in Enfield, North London. There, for a period of eighteen months starting in August 1977, the Hodgson family witnessed furniture move of its own accord, objects get thrown across rooms, and heard disembodied voices speak. Or did they? Some investigators were convinced, others were not. In The Enfield Poltergeist, Jerry builds a

Oct 30, 2023 • 26:37

Are We Alone? UFO Encounters from around the World

Are We Alone? UFO Encounters from around the World

Welcome to the first episode of the fifth season of Factual America! Joining host Matthew Sherwood is Yon Motskin, the director of Encounters, a new Netflix docu-series about four UFO/alien encounters from around the world. Encounters tells a story that is both epic and intimate in its range. It not only explores what occurred when a diverse range of witnesses – including school children, hoteliers, law enforcement officials, and rescue workers – came face-to-face with the seemingly impossible,

Oct 4, 2023 • 32:01

Wayne Shorter: Visionary, Innovator, Icon and Human Being

Wayne Shorter: Visionary, Innovator, Icon and Human Being

Wayne Shorter has long been considered one of the greatest modern composers and musicians of American music. His career reads like a Who’s Who of the genre, starting with Art Blakey and The Jazz Messengers, then the Miles Davis Quintet, followed by solo fame and the founding of fusion super group Weather Report. His collaborations extend beyond jazz greats such as Herbie Hancock and Ron Carter to include Carlos Santana, Joni Mitchel, Milton Nascimento and Steely Dan, just to name a few.  In Wayn

Aug 23, 2023 • 28:42

From the Tennis Court to New York: Exploring John McEnroe’s Life

From the Tennis Court to New York: Exploring John McEnroe’s Life

John McEnroe’s volcanic temper on the tennis court is legendary. But there was always more to him than just the explosive outbursts.  In McEnroe, a documentary now available to watch on Sky Documentaries and streaming service NOW, John McEnroe takes a night time journey through his home town of New York, reflecting on, discussing, and interrogating his life on and off the court. Joining Matthew Sherwood is the film’s director Barney Douglas. He shares how McEnroe has changed from his wilder, you

Aug 9, 2023 • 37:49

Mining Appalachia: Preserving the Story of King Coal

Mining Appalachia: Preserving the Story of King Coal

For 200 years, the people of central Appalachia in the US have lived off the industry of coal. Now, though, times are changing, and the coal industry is dying. One day, it will become no more than a memory.  Director Elaine McMillion Sheldon describes King Coal as “part documentary, part fable”, and the film aims to not only tell the story of Appalachia and its coal, but also to preserve Appalachians’ memory of it.  And that is not all. Through Lanie and Gabby, two young Appalachian girls, Elain

Aug 2, 2023 • 18:59

Transforming the Planet: Discussing the Human Footprint

Transforming the Planet: Discussing the Human Footprint

Humanity is the master of the world. But how did we achieve this? And what do our actions say about us as a people? These are the questions at the heart of Human Footprint, a new PBS docu-series directed by Nate Dappen and Neil Losin. They join Matthew Sherwood to discuss the programme, which they describe as ‘a science show that explores human history and culture’.  Human Footprint starts with an exploration of invasive species. Nate and Neil discuss our response to this problem, which we creat

Jul 29, 2023 • 45:42

Q – Inside a mysterious all-women Islamic organisation

Q – Inside a mysterious all-women Islamic organisation

What does it mean to belong to a cult-like religious order? How does it affect one’s family? What happens when that membership is lost? These are three of the questions at the heart of Q, Jude Chehab’s first feature documentary.  Jude’s subject is her mother, Hiba, who for forty years belonged to an all-women Islamic group called Al-Qubaysiat. That ended, however, when the group’s all-powerful leader, the Anisa, ostracised her.  Central to the story of Q is love: of family, truth, and of God. It

Jul 13, 2023 • 33:18

Last Flight Home: The Death and Life of Eli Timoner

Last Flight Home: The Death and Life of Eli Timoner

Eli Timoner lived a life founded on love. As a result, long after an accidental stroke forced him into retirement, he was celebrated by his former workers. And when he died aged 92, on 3rd March 2021, he did so, surrounded by his family. Last Flight Home, a documentary by Eli’s daughter Ondi, tells the story of his last days. But more than that, it relates how Eli chose the date of his passing, something he was able to do through California’s End of Life Option Act. In this moving and poignant e

Jul 6, 2023 • 1:06:16

Masterclass: Discussing Maestra with Maggie Contreras

Masterclass: Discussing Maestra with Maggie Contreras

Once upon a time, to be the conductor of an orchestra was to be a man. No longer. Female conductors, however, are still very much a rarity. The Paris based La Maestra Competition aims to break down the barriers that women still face in becoming conductors by giving them a space to showcase their skills. In Maestra, Maggie Contreras follows five women as they prepare to take part in the 2022 La Maestra Competition. Among them are Mélisse, a Parisian from Iowa, Zoe, a single mother who juggles her

Jun 28, 2023 • 52:47

Arnold: Exploring Schwarzenegger‘s Three Lives

Arnold: Exploring Schwarzenegger‘s Three Lives

Arnold Schwarzenegger is one of the most recognisable figures in the world today. His meteoric rise to fame began in the 1960s and 70s when he won the coveted Mr Olympia and Mr Universe bodybuilding titles multiple times. In the 80s and 90s, Schwarzenegger starred in some of the most successful action films ever to be made, including The Terminator, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, and Predator. And in 2003, he won election as governor of California, a feat he would repeat in 2007. But life hasn’t al

Jun 21, 2023 • 55:31

Early 2000s New York: the Last Romantic Age of Rock’n’Roll

Early 2000s New York: the Last Romantic Age of Rock’n’Roll

It’s the 1990s, and in New York, guitar music is at its nadir. But as the new millennium approaches, new bands rise out of the ashes of the past. The Strokes, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Interpol, and LCD Soundsystem, are just a few of those bringing a new, powerful sound to the Big Apple. In the middle of this renewal, however, another, wholly discordant, sound rings out over New York: that of terror on 9/11. And in the years that follow, more changes take place. Rents rise, ending the ability of upcoming

May 31, 2023 • 39:07

Working: What We Do All Day featuring Barack Obama

Working: What We Do All Day featuring Barack Obama

Working: What We Do All Day is a docu-series that explores both what it means to work and the ways in which the meaning of work is changing.  Presented by former US President Barack Obama, the docu-series focuses on people working in three different industries: technology, hospitality, and home care. Through him, we hear of their dreams, and their reality; their hopes, and their fears. Joining Matthew Sherwood to discuss Working: What We Do All Day is its director, Caroline Suh. Among other thin

May 25, 2023 • 38:14

32 Sounds: Exploring the Most Mysterious and Profound of the Senses

32 Sounds: Exploring the Most Mysterious and Profound of the Senses

It’s March 2020 and the pandemic has just begun. All of a sudden, director Sam Green has a lot of time on his hands. He uses it to read a book, which mentions Annea Lockwood, a composer, who has spent fifty years recording the sound of rivers. Intrigued, he contacts her.  Their conversation leads Sam to contemplate sound. The result is 32 Sounds, a documentary that he describes as a ‘meditation’ upon a subject that is both ‘mysterious’ and ‘ephemeral’ but yet can still make a powerful impact on

May 10, 2023 • 23:17

Reimagine Wildfire: An Elemental Threat That We Can Control

Reimagine Wildfire: An Elemental Threat That We Can Control

In 2018, the Californian town of Paradise was destroyed by a wildfire. How did it happen? Could anything have been done to limit or even stop the inferno? Global warming has made the risk of wildfires greater than ever before, and there are people who believe that we are doing all that we can to stop them. As Trip Jennings tells Matthew Sherwood, however, he was tired of hearing this message. And so, he spent five years researching wildfires. The result is Elemental, a documentary that reveals t

May 3, 2023 • 48:52

Jason Isbell: Portrait of the Musician as a Young Man

Jason Isbell: Portrait of the Musician as a Young Man

In 2019, four-time Grammy award winner Jason Isbell recorded his album Reunions. As he did so, he discussed his life and work with director Sam Jones. The result is Jason Isbell: Running With Our Eyes Closed, an unflinchingly honest account of a difficult childhood, Jason’s addiction to drink and drugs, the ups and downs of his marriage to fellow musician Amanda Shires, and how he has poured his life into his music. In this episode of Factual America, Sam joins Matthew Sherwood to discuss his fi

Apr 26, 2023 • 39:25

The Rise and Fall of America's Most Corrupt Police Squad

The Rise and Fall of America's Most Corrupt Police Squad

The Gun Trace Task Force (GTTF) was meant to help the Baltimore Police Department fight violent crime. Instead, its officers terrorised innocent civilians. In 2017, a criminal investigation resulted in the successful prosecution of the officers, and they were convicted of extortion, fraud, racketeering, and robbery. In I Got A Monster, director Kevin Abrams tells the story of what happened, and how a crusading defence attorney named Ivan Bates helped bring the corrupt police officers to justice.

Apr 19, 2023 • 34:58

Waco: The Tragedy that Still Haunts America

Waco: The Tragedy that Still Haunts America

February, 1993. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) has received word that the Branch Davidians, a cult based near Waco, Texas, is stockpiling illegal weapons at their compound. The ATF attempts to storm the base but the cultists know they are coming and force them to retreat. A 51-day siege follows, and it only ends when the compound is consumed by fire. 82 are killed, including 28 children. In this episode of Factual America, Matthew Sherwood meets Tiller Russell, director and pr

Apr 12, 2023 • 39:20

Charles Starkweather: The Murder Victim Who Lived

Charles Starkweather: The Murder Victim Who Lived

In the winter of 1957-58, 19 year old Charlie Starkweather went on a killing spree that would claim eleven victims before he and his accomplice, Caril Ann Fugate, were caught. At their trial, both were found guilty of murder. Charlie was executed while Caril was given a life sentence, later reduced. In The 12th Victim, Nicola Marsh explores what happened during the killing spree from Caril’s perspective. She shows how, contrary to what was said at the time, Caril was not Charlie’s girlfriend but

Mar 15, 2023 • 48:09

Investigating MH370: The Plane that Disappeared

Investigating MH370: The Plane that Disappeared

The disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 represents one of the greatest mysteries in modern aviation history.  On March 8th 2014 the plane left Kuala Lumpur on a scheduled flight to Beijing. Forty minutes later, the captain and Kuala Lumpur Air Traffic Control bade each other good night. That was the last communication between MH370 and the outside world. Less than two hours later, having been tracked by military radar, the aeroplane disappeared from sight somewhere over the Andaman S

Mar 8, 2023 • 40:47

The Day Fatboy Slim Narrowly Avoided Disaster

The Day Fatboy Slim Narrowly Avoided Disaster

Right Here, Right Now represents a beginning and an end. As director Jak Hutchcraft tells Matthew Sherwood, the film is his directorial debut. A concert, like the one that forms the film’s subject, however, will likely never be repeated in the UK again. The year is 2002. Superstar DJ Fatboy Slim (Norman Cook) has decided to put on a free concert at Brighton beach. The authorities expected “around 50,000 people to attend” explains Jak. On the day, however, 250,000 fans crowd onto the beach. The p

Mar 1, 2023 • 1:08:47

Oscar Nominations 2023: Three Tales from the Past and the Heart

Oscar Nominations 2023: Three Tales from the Past and the Heart

The Martha Mitchell Effect Martha Mitchell, wife of John Mitchell, Attorney General of the US under President Richard Nixon, was not afraid to speak ‘truth to power’. She was so influential that President Nixon would go on to say that without her, there would have been no Watergate scandal. Despite her important role, Mitchell has, in the years since Watergate, become a forgotten figure. Co-producer of The Martha Mitchell Effect, Judith Mizrachy states that this is a result of a successful gasli

Feb 22, 2023 • 1:08:25

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck

Whether or not you give a f*ck, this is the film for you.  If you don’t care about anyone or anything, The Subtle Art shows why you should. If you do care, The Subtle Art shows why you shouldn’t.  It may have something to say, but The Subtle Art says nothing new. As director Nathan Price tells Matthew Sherwood, it uses ‘very old knowledge... Buddhism... stoicism... wisdom that's existed through the ages’ but it speaks in a ‘punky’ way that makes the film’s message fresh and relatable for people

Feb 15, 2023 • 39:56

Moonage Daydream: David Bowie’s Impressionistic Life

Moonage Daydream: David Bowie’s Impressionistic Life

David Bowie lived a life of extraordinary creativity and success. It was also a life of controversy, radical changes of direction, and an unceasing desire to push his art to the limits. He was a cultural icon and an artistic genius. How does someone make a film about such a figure? According to the director of Moonage Daydream, and this episode’s guest, Brett Morgen, you have to first know your limitations: you won’t be able to cover everything so look for the ‘through line of action’, the theme

Feb 8, 2023 • 37:01

Dog Days: The Truth Behind Gunther’s Millions

Dog Days: The Truth Behind Gunther’s Millions

Gunther’s Millions is about a dog who is living anything but a dog’s life. Gunther is a German Shepherd. He lives a life of luxury thanks to a trust fund. But did a Countess really bequeath her money to him? And what can be his interest in the homes of celebrities, pop bands, and perhaps even a sex cult? The answer, of course, is that – being a dog – he has no interest in any of these things at all. The humans who look after him, however, now that’s another matter. In this episode of Factual Ame

Feb 1, 2023 • 42:28

Pelosi in the House – a life of service in troubling times

Pelosi in the House – a life of service in troubling times

In the course of her 36 year – and counting – political career, Nancy Pelosi has redefined what American women may achieve in politics.  Two stints as House Speaker and twenty years as leader of the House Democrats have made her one of the most important female politicians of the early twenty-first century. With her every step of the way has been her daughter, Alexandra, whose new HBO/Sky documentary, Pelosi in the House, is the fruit of their relationship as well as over thirty years of work. A

Jan 25, 2023 • 55:53

Phil Spector – Music Legend and Murderer

Phil Spector – Music Legend and Murderer

Phil Spector was a musical genius. His brilliance as a producer made him a legend. On February 3rd 2003 he shot Lana Clarkson dead. In 2009, he was convicted of murder, and died in prison on January 16th 2021. Spector is a four-part Showtime docu-series (available to watch on Sky Documentaries in the U.K.). In it, series co-directors Sheena M. Joyce and Don Argott examine not only Spector’s ‘life and legacy’ but also the person of Lana Clarkson.  As they tell host, Matthew Sherwood, they want to

Jan 19, 2023 • 50:52

How Bernie Madoff Became the Monster of Wall Street

How Bernie Madoff Became the Monster of Wall Street

No one knows when Bernie Madoff created the Ponzi scheme that would one day lose $64 billion and ruin many lives. Madoff said it started late on. In this episode of Factual America, Joe Berlinger, director and executive producer of Madoff: The Monster of Wall Street, tells host, Matthew Sherwood, that he thinks it was right at the start of Madoff’s career, after he lost $30,000 of investors’ money and, upon receiving a loan to pay it back, chose to lie about what had happened rather than admit t

Jan 11, 2023 • 32:37

I am Vanessa Guillen

I am Vanessa Guillen

Christy Wegener, director and producer of I Am Vanessa Guillen, joins Matthew Sherwood to tell the story of Private First Class Vanessa Guillen.  In 2020, after suffering from sexual harassment by a superior, Vanessa was murdered by a fellow soldier at Fort Hood army base outside Killeen, Texas. In the months that followed, her family refused to let either their grief or the weight of the military silence them, and started a campaign to win justice for their sister and daughter, and all victims

Jan 4, 2023 • 31:08

FIFA Uncovered

FIFA Uncovered

This week on Factual America, Matthew Sherwood is joined by Miles Coleman, writer and co-producer of Netflix docu-series, FIFA Uncovered.  When the Fédération Internationale de Football Association – more popularly known as FIFA – was founded in 1904, its remit was simple: to oversee a competition between various footballing nations.  Today, however, it is a multi-billion dollar organisation that operates almost as a nation state. FIFA Uncovered explores the governing body’s rise and the fall of

Dec 21, 2022 • 51:37

Santa Camp

Santa Camp

Every summer, a horde of professional Santas, Mrs. Clauses and elves descend on a campsite in the New Hampshire woods to learn the tricks of their trade. But this year is different. As Santas adapt to a modern world and embrace inclusivity, they are met with a lot of love but a lot of hate too. Filmmakers Nick Sweeney and Stacey Reiss join us to talk about how they got such an unprecedented insight into Santa Camp, what it was like filming hundreds of Santas, and the biggest challenges they enco

Dec 14, 2022 • 44:27

Ghislaine Maxwell: Filthy Rich

Ghislaine Maxwell: Filthy Rich

Disgraced financier and convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein, was an infamous sexual predator, using his money and influence to hide is secret life preying on young girls. But he did not act alone. Ghislaine Maxwell, the British socialite and daughter of privilege was just as much a monster as Epstein, as revealed by the new Netflix documentary, Ghislaine Maxwell: Filthy Rich.  Join Matthew Sherwood as he talks with Maiken Baird and Lisa Bryant, co-directors and executive producers, about the

Dec 6, 2022 • 39:44

Pepsi, Where’s My Jet?

Pepsi, Where’s My Jet?

In 1996 a Pepsi giveaway competition inspired John Leonard, a young mountain guide from Seattle, to do everything he could to claim the top prize – a Harrier jet. Realising that it was physically impossible to drink enough cans of cola to earn the necessary 7,000,000 points, John hatched a plan that soon had him facing off against a team of corporate lawyers.  A David versus Goliath story for the ages, Pepsi, Where’s My Jet? – a new docuseries from Netflix – celebrates the human spirit and human

Dec 1, 2022 • 47:39

The Letter

The Letter

Nicolas Brown’s new documentary, The Letter, takes its name from Laudato Si’, Pope Francis’ 2015 letter on the care for ‘our common home’ – the earth. The film explores the journey of a group of people from different walks of life – some from the margins of society, others closer to the centre – as they make their way to the Vatican, for a meeting with the Pope. In this special episode of Factual America, Nicolas and host Matthew Sherwood discuss The Letter’s twin themes: the climate crisis and

Nov 23, 2022 • 1:13:41

Who is Stan Smith?

Who is Stan Smith?

Who is Stan Smith? A tennis legend, humanitarian, and... a shoe! Before Djokovic or Federer, McEnroe or Borg, there was Stan Smith. A brilliant player, his success on the tennis court in the ‘70s led to Adidas naming its now iconic tennis shoe after him.  But there is much more to Stan Smith than tennis success and shoes. For though he set out to be the best, in the end that wasn’t enough. He wanted to do good as well. Join Matthew Sherwood as he discusses the new UNINTERRUPTED documentary Who i

Nov 16, 2022 • 37:41

Killer Sally

Killer Sally

Sally McNeil killed her husband, Ray; but was it an act of self-defence or pre-meditated murder?  That is the question at the heart of Killer Sally, a new three-part docu-series by Nanette Burstein, now showing on Netflix.  Sally and Ray were a power couple in the truest sense of the word – both were bodybuilders. But Ray took his training to extreme levels, using steroids to increase his muscle growth. And according to Sally, it was during a ‘roid rage’ on St. Valentine’s Day in 1995 that he lo

Nov 9, 2022 • 35:29

Cat Daddies

Cat Daddies

Once, they were gods who had to be placated. Now, they still need placating, but they also help save lives and bring hope in a time of distress.  We are, of course, talking about cats. In her new documentary, Cat Daddies, Mye Hoang explores the relationship between a diverse group of American men and their feline friends.  At the centre of her film is homeless New Yorker David Giovanni, and his cat, Lucky. It’s 2020. David receives bad news about his health. And then, the pandemic strikes. What

Nov 2, 2022 • 43:45

38 At The Garden

38 At The Garden

1 game. 38 points. The birth of a legend. In 2011, no one knew or cared about an NBA player named Jeremy Lin.  In early 2012, however, that changed, as Lin stunned opposition teams, fans, and the world alike with a series of brilliant on court performances for the New York Knicks. And chief among them were the 38 points Lin scored against the mighty LA Lakers at Madison Square Garden on 10th February 2012. Success did not come easy for Lin. As Frank Chi, director of new HBO documentary, 38 at th

Oct 26, 2022 • 41:11

All That Breathes

All That Breathes

Welcome to the fourth season of Factual America! Today, Matthew Sherwood speaks to Shaunak Sen, director of All That Breathes, an award-winning documentary about two brothers, Mohammad and Nadeem, in Delhi, who have dedicated their lives to helping the Black Kite, a victim of Delhi’s ever worsening air pollution. All That Breathes is both an intimate portrayal of Mohammad’s and Nadeem’s work and, as Shaunak explains, a philosophical documentary that shows how the toxicity of Delhi’s air is refle

Oct 20, 2022 • 41:22

Trainwreck: Woodstock '99 - The Perfect Storm

Trainwreck: Woodstock '99 - The Perfect Storm

Woodstock '99 was supposed to be a millennium defining celebration of peace, love and great music. Instead, the festival degenerated into an epic trainwreck of fires, riots and destruction. Utilizing rare insider footage, and eyewitness interviews with an impressive list of festival staffers, performers and attendees, Netflix docuseries Trainwreck: Woodstock '99, releasing on August 4th, goes behind the scenes to reveal the egos, greed and music that fueled three days of utter chaos. Acclaimed f

Jul 28, 2022 • 48:49

Menudo: Forever Young - The Rise and Fall of the First International Boy Band

Menudo: Forever Young - The Rise and Fall of the First International Boy Band

Menudo was arguably the first international boy band and one of the most successful. Starting from humble roots in 1970s Puerto Rico, the group conquered the pop world in the 1980s and 1990s.  As the boys grew older and their voices started changing, they soon discovered that they were easily replaceable – by a steady stream of 12- to 15-year olds waiting in the wings, ready to chase their dreams of stardom.  Such success came with an unnecessary price. As revealed by former members, the boys

Jul 21, 2022 • 50:57

Facing Nolan Ryan, the Baseball Legend

Facing Nolan Ryan, the Baseball Legend

Facing Nolan captures the life of Baseball Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan, arguably one of the greatest pitchers of all time. His 51 records and 27 seasons across four decades are the stuff of lore. It wasn't always so. Even as the Ryan Express was chalking up strikeouts and no-hitters like no one before him, or since, Nolan Ryan was surprisingly undervalued. Oddly enough, he may still be. What better way to understand Ryan's fierce competitive spirit and otherworldly talent than actually asking the H

Jul 14, 2022 • 42:41

Girl in the Picture: A 25-Year Mystery Solved

Girl in the Picture: A 25-Year Mystery Solved

In Netflix's latest true crime documentary Girl in the Picture, a woman named Sharon Marshall is found dying by a road, leaves behind a son, a man claiming to be her husband—and a mystery that unfolds like a nightmare. The film tells an incredibly tragic tale and the incredible story of how the mystery was eventually solved twenty-five years later.  Directed and produced by award-winning filmmaker Skye Borgman, Girl in the Picture looks at who Sharon Marshall was, her many different lives and id

Jul 6, 2022 • 30:30

Keep Sweet: The Cult of Warren Jeffs and FLDS

Keep Sweet: The Cult of Warren Jeffs and FLDS

The Netflix docuseries Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey tells the chilling story of Warren Jeffs and his rise in the Fundamentalist Church of Christ of Latter Day Saints (FLDS), an offshoot of the mainstream Mormon church. FLDS members practice polygamy and assign women husbands by divine revelation to the prophet, in this case, Warren Jeffs. The church turned into a cult under Jeffs' leadership, and its practices led to concerns from outsiders about underage marriage and statutory rape. But no one was

Jun 30, 2022 • 37:01

Scouting for Girls: Fashion's Darkest Secret

Scouting for Girls: Fashion's Darkest Secret

Three-part docuseries Scouting for Girls: Fashion's Darkest Secret reveals how a group of men behind the world's most successful modelling agencies were involved in a darker side of the industry. It exposes how modelling agents like John Casablancas, Jean-Luc Brunel, Claude Haddad and Gérald Marie, who denies the allegations, created a culture that enabled many of them to indulge in a spectrum of abusive behaviours, ranging from grooming and coercion to the rape of models as young as 15. The fil

Jun 23, 2022 • 54:44

Elon Musk's Crash Course in Self-Driving Technology

Elon Musk's Crash Course in Self-Driving Technology

Based on reporting by New York Times journalists Cade Metz and Neil Boudet, Elon Musk's Crash Course zeroes in on Elon Musk, the world's richest person and CEO of Tesla, and his claims about self-driving cars. The latest in a series of films from The New York Times Presents is directed and produced by Emmy-winning journalist and filmmaker Emma Schwartz, and it reveals the quixotic nature of Musk's pursuit of self-driving technology and its tragic results. Watch the episode at https://factualamer

Jun 9, 2022 • 43:29

How Fiddler on the Roof Made it to Hollywood

How Fiddler on the Roof Made it to Hollywood

Fiddler's Journey to the Big Screen (2022) captures a bygone era of early television and blockbuster Hollywood musicals. It also shines a light on the incredible career of fellow filmmaker Norman Jewison.  Jewison had critical success over more than three decades, but his crowning achievement might be bringing the famous musical Fiddler on the Roof to the big screen. Legendary film critic Pauline Kael called Fiddler the most powerful movie musical ever made.  Award-winning and Oscar nominated fi

Jun 3, 2022 • 47:30

Deep in the Heart of Texas Wildlife

Deep in the Heart of Texas Wildlife

Deep in the Heart (2022) is a visually stunning portrait of Texas, told through the eyes of the wildlife species themselves. Narrated by Texas icon Matthew McConaughey and featuring state of the art cinematography, this documentary brings to life one of the world's most diverse, but possibly lesser known set of ecosystems. Similar in style to Planet Earth, the film shows off some of the most remarkable wildlife spectacles and eco regions in the state of Texas, weaving in the story of our society

May 27, 2022 • 1:13:32

Hold Your Fire: A Call for Restorative Justice in the US

Hold Your Fire: A Call for Restorative Justice in the US

Documentary film ‘Hold Your Fire’ provides us with a riveting account of a hostage situation in Brooklyn in January 1973, when four young African American men were caught stealing guns in a sporting goods store and took a dozen hostages.  The police assumed that they were members of the Black Liberation Army and came down with all the force of the NYPD. The situation snowballed into an event full of miscommunications, misunderstandings and mistaken identity, and it soon became tragically violent

May 11, 2022 • 33:21

The Invisible Pilot: Stranger than Fiction

The Invisible Pilot: Stranger than Fiction

The Invisible Pilot is an HBO Max Docuseries that captures the incredible story of Gary Betzner, an Arkansas crop duster who died under mysterious circumstances. Or did he? The mystery around this man's death would be more than enough for a compelling doc. But that is only the beginning of a story that proves that truth is most definitely stranger than fiction. Given the unlikeliest of events set against the backdrop of 1970s and 80s America and Reagan's war on drugs, the docuseries is Forrest G

May 6, 2022 • 43:07

In the Court of the Crimson King: King Crimson at 50

In the Court of the Crimson King: King Crimson at 50

Legendary rock band King Crimson has been inspiring generations of musicians for over 50 years. After starting off with great success in 1969 in London, the band effectively split up in the same year, which then started a process of fragmentation and reinvention that has continued for 52 years.  Documentary film In the Court of the Crimson King that premiered at this year's SXSW festival, captures life on the road with King Crimson. The group's legendary cult following has long waited for a doc,

Apr 28, 2022 • 1:14:05

Our Great National Parks with Barrack Obama on Netflix

Our Great National Parks with Barrack Obama on Netflix

Our Great National Parks is a breathtaking Netflix original docuseries, executive produced and narrated by President Barack Obama, who protected more public lands and waters than any other US president in history. Watch the full episode at https://www.alamopictures.co.uk/podcast/our-great-national-parks President Obama takes us on a journey to experience nature in the world's most iconic national parks, spanning five continents. The series brims with wonder, humour and optimism as each episode t

Apr 14, 2022 • 37:24

I Am Here: The Most Inspirational Holocaust Survivor

I Am Here: The Most Inspirational Holocaust Survivor

Ella Blumenthal is one of the oldest living survivors of the Holocaust. Despite living through one of history's darkest chapters, she brings a joy to life that few can match. On her 98th birthday, however, Ella reveals to close friends and family profound memories of her incredible survival in a way she has never done before.  Award-winning documentary I Am Here (2021) celebrates Ella's remarkable life and her magnetic personality and spirit that have remained undimmed. South African filmmaker J

Apr 6, 2022 • 23:48

The Andy Warhol Diaries on Screen

The Andy Warhol Diaries on Screen

Andy Warhol is arguably the most famous artist of his generation, and his work still resonates today, 35 years after his untimely death. But what do we know about the man behind the cultural icon? Acclaimed filmmaker Andrew Rossi is the writer and director of the Netflix docuseries, The Andy Warhol Diaries. In this 6-part series, Andrew brings Warhol’s diaries brilliantly to life. In the process he helps us learn how Andy Warhol – the talented, sensitive, gay and religious man – was far more com

Mar 30, 2022 • 46:27

Oscars Short Documentary Nominees

Oscars Short Documentary Nominees

In this special episode three of the five nominees for this year's Academy Award for Best Documentary (Short Subject) join us to discuss their films.   When We Were Bullies, by the Award-winning director and writer Jay Rosenblatt, follows Jay as he tracks down his fifth-grade class and their teacher to examine their memories of and complicity in a bullying incident over 50 years ago. We are next joined by award-winning director and producer Matthew Ogens. His short documentary Audible, produced

Mar 24, 2022 • 41:34

The Downfall of Boeing

The Downfall of Boeing

Once the pride of American technological know-how, Boeing took a wrong turn toward achieving the bottom line at all costs, even if it meant keeping pilots in the dark and putting passengers' lives at risk. In the end, two Boeing 737 MAX airliners crashed, killing 346 people. Boeing's PR campaign immediately went into action to disparage and cast aspersions on the flight crews and their countries. Luckily, the families and a few intrepid reporters and politicians would not take Boeing's word as f

Mar 16, 2022 • 41:05

Happiness is a Journey: The Unseen America

Happiness is a Journey: The Unseen America

Ivete Lucas and Patrick Bresnan are award-winning filmmakers. Their documentary films have premiered at Sundance and won multiple awards including the Directors Fortnight best short film prize at Cannes. Patrick and Ivete's body of work focuses on the seldom seen and forgotten parts of American society. Their most recent short Happiness is a Journey, produced by the Guardian, captures a night in the life of Eddie “Bear” Lopez, who spends his Christmas Eve and early Christmas Day delivering newsp

Mar 9, 2022 • 53:10

Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road - Director's Take

Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road - Director's Take

Brian Wilson was the co-founder of the seminal 60s rock group The Beach Boys, as the leader and creative genius behind the band’s many hits. Brian Wilson has influenced generations of pop stars, including Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, Taylor Hawkins and other pop royalty.  Award-winning documentary filmmaker Brent Wilson joins us for the second time to discuss his new film, Brian Wilson: Long Promised Road. The film follows Brian on a journey, both literally and figuratively, of Brian’s old sto

Mar 2, 2022 • 58:04

Reframing Marilyn Monroe's Legacy

Reframing Marilyn Monroe's Legacy

Marilyn Monroe almost requires no introduction. The iconic star of the silver screen still resonates with the viewing public even 60 years after her untimely death. But do we need to rethink her legacy or how she's been portrayed? Acclaimed documentary filmmaker Karen McGann certainly thinks so. Her new docu-series Reframed: Marilyn Monroe rethinks the legacy of one of the greatest icons of the 20th century's popular culture. Although in the media she was portrayed in a certain light, in reality

Feb 23, 2022 • 40:11

Secrets of Playboy: Hugh Hefner's Dark Empire | A&E Docuseries

Secrets of Playboy: Hugh Hefner's Dark Empire | A&E Docuseries

Secrets of Playboy (2021) documents the lived experiences of Playboy playmates, the Playboy Bunnies, and employees of the Playboy empire, and the abuse they went through at the hands of its founder Hugh Hefner.  Award-winning filmmaker Alexandra Dean joins us to discuss the making of this 10-part series currently streaming on A&E, and what it was like to uncover the abuses that occurred at Playboy.   She explains how Hugh Hefner broke women and was able to build up a persona of sexual liberat

Feb 16, 2022 • 49:40

Writing with Fire: Oscar Nominee for Best Documentary

Writing with Fire: Oscar Nominee for Best Documentary

Writing with Fire (2021) is an inspiring story about India's only newspaper run by Dalit, low-caste women. Armed with smartphones and tenacity, chief reporter Meera Devi and her journalists break traditions as they break stories and tackle India's biggest issues. In the process, they are redefining what it means to be powerful socially.  Writing with Fire is one of this year's Academy Award nominees for The Best Feature Documentary. The film has already won the Audience Award and Special Jury Aw

Feb 9, 2022 • 50:41

Neymar: The Perfect Chaos - The Director's Perspective

Neymar: The Perfect Chaos - The Director's Perspective

Neymar: The Perfect Chaos, currently streaming on Netflix, tells the story of the beloved but often criticised footballer Neymar, the highs and lows of his personal life, and his brilliant football career. Award-winning filmmaker David Charles Rodrigues joins us to discuss the film and reveals how he gained almost full access to Neymar’s life.   During filming of this documentary, David found sides to Neymar that he found surprising. In the process, he managed to build a strong relationship with

Feb 2, 2022 • 41:49

Dear Rider: Snowboarding Legend Jake Burton

Dear Rider: Snowboarding Legend Jake Burton

HBO's original documentary Dear Rider tells the inspirational story of Jake Burton Carpenter, who pioneered the sport of snowboarding.  Fernando Villena, award-winning filmmaker and the director of Dear Rider, discusses Jake’s life as a snowboarding legend. The film shows how Jake took his favourite childhood toy and turned it into a global cultural phenomenon.  Fernando not only talks about Jake's vision and passion for the sport he invented, but also how multiple diseases tragically ended his

Jan 18, 2022 • 43:21

Hell or High Seas: Adventure Therapy for U.S. Military Veterans

Hell or High Seas: Adventure Therapy for U.S. Military Veterans

Hell or High Seas (2021) follows U.S. Navy veteran Taylor Grieger and writer Stephen O’Shea on their two-year adventure sailing around Cape Horn, in some of the world’s most treacherous waters. The purpose of this extreme journey was to raise awareness about PTSD and the challenges facing veterans as they return to civilian life. Taylor Grieger, director Glenn Holsten and producer Chayne Gregg join us to share the incredible story of how two high school buddies embarked on a journey to help vete

Jan 12, 2022 • 45:56

Chasing Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's Alleged Accomplice

Chasing Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's Alleged Accomplice

Joining us is Vicky Ward, a New York Times bestselling author, investigative journalist and the host and co-producer of Chasing Ghislaine. In 2002 Vicky conducted one of the few interviews ever given by Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier and convicted sex offender.   Vicky has now turned her sights on Epstein's former confidante, Ghislaine Maxwell. The British socialite is currently on trial for allegedly helping Epstein to prey on young girls. Subsequently, Vicky has turned her investigat

Dec 20, 2021 • 1:06:15

The First Wave: The Human Face of COVID-19

The First Wave: The Human Face of COVID-19

The National Geographic documentary The First Wave captures the harrowing first four months of the Covid-19 pandemic as it played out in one of New York City’s hardest-hit hospital systems.  Joining us is Matthew Heineman, an Academy Award-nominated and Emmy-winning filmmaker who directed and produced this film.  The incredible footage he obtained and shaped into The First Wave represents a testimony to the strength of the human spirit and how people come together in the face of crisis. He share

Dec 15, 2021 • 36:36

Listening to Kenny G, All-Time Best-Selling Instrumentalist

Listening to Kenny G, All-Time Best-Selling Instrumentalist

Kenny G is the best-selling instrumentalist of all time, but why does he elicit such heartfelt, negative criticism from some listeners? Penny Lane’s new HBO documentary Listening to Kenny G shows the world-famous saxophonist speaking candidly about his musical background, his stringent work ethic, and his controversial standing in the jazz world. Penny joins us to discuss the making of the film and how she gained access to such a high-profile music star. She also reveals her original impressions

Dec 7, 2021 • 32:19

Mothers of the Revolution: The Women Who Ended the Cold War

Mothers of the Revolution: The Women Who Ended the Cold War

On September 5th 1981 a group of women came together to change the world. These women marched from Wales to Berkshire to protest nuclear weapons being kept at RAF Greenham Common, a British airbase. Feature-length documentary Mothers of the Revolution (2021) tells the true story of the Greenham Common Women's Peace Camp and how it helped to bring the Cold War to an end. Between 1981 and 2000, in one of the longest protests in history, thousands of women from around the world came together at Gre

Dec 1, 2021 • 50:47

Becoming Cousteau: Legendary Explorer and Environmentalist

Becoming Cousteau: Legendary Explorer and Environmentalist

The National Geographic documentary Becoming Cousteau explores the life of legendary ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau, a man well ahead of his time in bringing climate change and environmental devastation to the world’s attention.  Mridu Chandra, award-winning filmmaker and one of the producers of Becoming Cousteau, joins us to discuss Cousteau's remarkable life and passion for the environment. A scuba diving pioneer, Cousteau also was an accomplished filmmaker and three-time Oscar winner.   Mrid

Nov 23, 2021 • 30:18

Curse of the Chippendales: a True Crime Story Stripped Bare

Curse of the Chippendales: a True Crime Story Stripped Bare

The Discovery+ docuseries Curse of the Chippendales chronicles the dark side of the 1980s all-male striptease dance troupe. The muscular men of the Chippendales captured the hearts, minds, and dollars of the 1980s in their iconic cuffs and collars, but what started out as a first in women’s entertainment soon turned into a story of greed, jealousy and murder for hire. Executive producer Suzanne Lavery and writer and director Jesse Vile discuss what drew them to the Chippendales, how they created

Nov 16, 2021 • 46:28

Hawking: Can You Hear Me? The Remarkable Human Story of Stephen Hawking

Hawking: Can You Hear Me? The Remarkable Human Story of Stephen Hawking

Hawking: Can You Hear Me? is a Sky Original documentary that explores the remarkable human story of Stephen Hawking, through candid interviews with his family, friends, and colleagues. The film brings to life the man behind the persona of legendary theoretical physicist and cosmologist Stephen Hawking and in the process shows the impact fame and disability had on those closest to him. Joining Factual America to discuss the making of the film and the challenges they faced are director Oliver Twin

Nov 10, 2021 • 50:11

The Rescue: A Story of Bravery, Cave Diving & Generosity

The Rescue: A Story of Bravery, Cave Diving & Generosity

The Rescue explores the story of the dramatic Tham Luang cave rescue in 2018, when twelve boys and their soccer coach were saved from deep inside a flooded cave in northern Thailand. But like all great documentaries, it is about so much more – bravery, cave diving, the human spirit and ultimately, generosity.  The Rescue is the latest masterpiece by the Oscar-winning director Chai Vasrahelyi, which she co-directed and co-produced with her partner in film and life, Jimmy Chin. Chai joins us to di

Nov 2, 2021 • 24:56

Detainee 001: 'The American Taliban' John Walker Lindh

Detainee 001: 'The American Taliban' John Walker Lindh

A young man from the San Francisco suburbs journeys to the Middle East and soon finds himself as the face of Islamist extremism in post-9/11 America. This is the story of John Walker Lindh, as explored in the recent Showtime hit documentary Detainee 001. Emmy-winning director Greg Barker joins us to discuss this unlikeliest of stories.  The film shows how America grapples with justice in the fog of war, and how narratives were built and destroyed in the aftermath of 9/11.    We discuss the misco

Oct 26, 2021 • 53:22

The Space Station: The Wonderful Story of Human Co-Operation

The Space Station: The Wonderful Story of Human Co-Operation

International Space Station and international co-operation in space has outlived presidents, regimes, current events, 9/11, and it has been carrying on for several decades now. It is fascinating how many people it takes to get someone into space. This is what inspired director and producer Clare Lewins in her new documentary The Wonderful: Stories From the Space Station. The Wonderful is a story about humanity, played out against the vast backdrop of the universe. It shows what it’s like to live

Oct 12, 2021 • 44:57

The Lone Star Plate and Factual America Season Highlights and Top Episodes

The Lone Star Plate and Factual America Season Highlights and Top Episodes

Factual America meets The Lone Star Plate for the second time. We are wrapping up Season 2 of Factual America, and our sister podcast The Lone Star Plate, which features interviews with famous Texans and explores compelling Texas stories, has just closed Season 3.     Two fellow Texans, hosts Matthew Sherwood and Patrick Scott Armstrong, discuss the highlights of the last season, celebrating the most challenging year of our lives, and what episodes, guests and topics left a particular impression

Aug 9, 2021 • 1:44:21

Under the Volcano: The Secret Birthplace of the 80s Greatest Hits

Under the Volcano: The Secret Birthplace of the 80s Greatest Hits

In 1979 The Beatles producer Sir George Martin turned a Caribbean paradise into a 1980s hit making crucible for the likes of Paul McCartney, Elton John, and such acts as the Rolling Stones, The Police, and Dire Straits. His vision was to create a studio where artists could come and be free to express their creativity and record albums.  After a decade of hits, and at the peak of its popularity, AIR Studios Montserrat was destroyed when hurricane Hugo hit the island in 1989, followed by the erupt

Aug 4, 2021 • 46:34

Echoes of the Invisible: Pushing the Limits of Human Experience

Echoes of the Invisible: Pushing the Limits of Human Experience

Award-winning documentary Echoes of the Invisible (2020) looks at timelessness, the origins of the universe, and what it means to be one of the almost 8 billion inhabitants of Planet Earth. The film follows the explorers who are pushing the human body and technology beyond known limits in the most extreme environments on Earth. One of them is Paul Salopek, a journalist walking across the world in the footsteps of the earliest human migrations. Others include scientists like Joe Incandela, buildi

Jul 19, 2021 • 1:09:17

The Phantom: The Case of Carlos DeLuna 40 Years Later

The Phantom: The Case of Carlos DeLuna 40 Years Later

After covering The State of Texas vs. Melissa (2021), once again we are talking on Factual America about the death penalty in the state of Texas. The recently released documentary The Phantom (2021) shines a light on a capital murder case, but probably in ways that most of us have never experienced before. The film follows Carlos DeLuna, who was arrested in 1983 for the murder of a woman service station attendant, but protested his innocence until he was executed, stating another Carlos had comm

Jul 15, 2021 • 1:04:39

Fernando Sulichin: Producer of JFK Revisited and Flag Day

Fernando Sulichin: Producer of JFK Revisited and Flag Day

Acclaimed producer Fernando Sulichin has built his career by working with film giants such as Spike Lee, David Lynch, Sean Penn, and Oliver Stone. Now Fernando has two films debuting at the Cannes Film Festival. Flag Day is directed by and stars Sean Penn, while JFK Revisited: Through the Looking Glass is the latest documentary from director Oliver Stone. JFK Revisited is the follow-up to Stone's political thriller JFK (1991) about the John F Kennedy assassination. Using recently declassified ar

Jul 6, 2021 • 56:59

The State of Texas vs. Melissa: The Death Penalty's Problems

The State of Texas vs. Melissa: The Death Penalty's Problems

Melissa Lucio is the only Hispanic woman to ever be sentenced to death in the state of Texas. She is currently facing her last appeal, having spent 13 years on death row.  Her case, as well as the problems with the American justice system and the death penalty, are captured in the documentary The State of Texas vs. Melissa (2020).  Having made its festival debut, the film has received great reviews and won multiple audience choice awards. Joining us is French-American journalist and filmmaker Sa

Jun 29, 2021 • 1:25:08

Mary J Blige: The Unheard Story of the Album 'My Life' on Amazon Prime

Mary J Blige: The Unheard Story of the Album 'My Life' on Amazon Prime

Mary J Blige is a multi-platinum R&B and Hip Hop recording artist, a 9-time Grammy award-winner, and celebrated actress. She is also the subject of a new Amazon Studios documentary that releases on June 25th, Mary J Blige’s My Life, that marked the 25th anniversary of the artist's acclaimed 1994 album, propelling her to international stardom. Joining us to talk about Mary J Blige and the making of this documentary is the Academy Award-winning filmmaker Vanessa Roth, best known for her short docu

Jun 20, 2021 • 51:26

HBO's Revolution Rent: Broadway in Cuba

HBO's Revolution Rent: Broadway in Cuba

The Tony and Pulitzer-Prize winning musical Rent celebrates the 25th anniversary of its Broadway premiere on June 15th. The musical's message still resonates today, as captured by the HBO documentary Revolution Rent about the first commercial American production staged in Havana, Cuba in over 50 years. Stage director and filmmaker Andy Señor, Jr played Angel in the Broadway play, directed the Havana production, and co-directed Revolution Rent with Victor Patrick Alvarez. Both join us to recall t

Jun 15, 2021 • 42:32

Guy Clark: Texas Music Legend

Guy Clark: Texas Music Legend

Five years after the legendary Texas singer and songwriter Guy Clark passed away, his life and legacy is celebrated in a new documentary. Without Getting Killed or Caught brings Guy's colourful life and career to the big screen.  The film is the brainchild of Grammy award-winning music producer, award-winning author, and documentary filmmaker Tamara Saviano. She and her partner in life Paul Whitfield are the co-directors and co-producers. The film looks at Guy Clark’s life as he struggles to wri

Jun 8, 2021 • 55:06

Mike Tyson: The Truth Behind The Knockouts

Mike Tyson: The Truth Behind The Knockouts

Mike Tyson, the former heavyweight champion, is considered one of the greatest boxers of all time. Unfortunately, he is just as famous for his exploits outside of the ring as he is for his many knockouts. The new docuseries Mike Tyson: The Knockout is currently streaming on ABC and Hulu. Senior Executive Producer for original non-fiction content at ABC News, Roxanna Sherwood, joins us to discuss the film.  Roxanna shares how she collaborated with the Oscar-winning screenwriter Geoffrey Fletcher

Jun 1, 2021 • 58:53

Moby Doc: A Life in Reprise

Moby Doc: A Life in Reprise

Richard Melville Hall, better known to most of us as Moby, is an electronic music pioneer. In the 1990s he scored numerous top ten hits on the Billboard Dance Club chart and his album Play (1999) has sold over 12 million copies. Even with all that success, Moby still found himself hitting rock bottom, contemplating suicide and wondering why he wasn't happy despite achieving everything he wanted. Joining us is the director and writer of the Moby Doc, Rob Gordon Bralver. Rob teamed up with Moby to

May 25, 2021 • 48:33

Some Kind of Heaven: Inside Disneyland for Retirees

Some Kind of Heaven: Inside Disneyland for Retirees

The Villages is a self-contained retirement community located in central Florida. Often referred to as a “Disneyland for Retirees,” it is home to over 130,000 seniors. The Villages offers residents a utopian version of a bygone America: wide, safe streets, perfectly manicured lawns, and countless activities all in the service of enjoying the golden years.  Directed by filmmaker Lance Oppenheim, Some Kind of Heaven (2020) reveals cracks in The Villages' facade and explores life inside its palm-tr

May 18, 2021 • 59:51

The Crime of the Century: Pharma and the US Opioid Crisis

The Crime of the Century: Pharma and the US Opioid Crisis

The opioid crisis in the US has killed half a million people and created millions of addicts, all because the pharmaceutical companies pushed opioid medicines as not being prone to abuse or addictive. In his latest HBO doc-series The Crime of the Century (2021), Oscar- and Emmy-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney provides the most comprehensive look to date at the opioid crisis in the US. Alex joins us to discuss the making of the film, arguing that the opioid crisis has deeply criminal roots. The fil

May 12, 2021 • 43:37

Apocalypse '45: The Harrowing Reality of The Pacific War

Apocalypse '45: The Harrowing Reality of The Pacific War

Premiering to coincide with the 75th anniversary of the Pacific War's end, the documentary Apocalypse '45 combines pristine raw, colour footage of the last months of World War II in the Asia-Pacific theatre with the voices of the two dozen men who lived through the nightmare.   Critically acclaimed director, producer and writer, Erik Nelson, joins us to discuss the making of Apocalypse ‘45. Erik shares how he found this never-before-seen footage of the war and made contact with the veterans who

May 4, 2021 • 53:20

Allen v. Farrow after the Media Storm

Allen v. Farrow after the Media Storm

Hollywood icons Woody Allen and Mia Farrow had a 13-year relationship that ended in flames in 1992 in front of the nation's eyes. At the centre of the breakup were allegations that Woody Allen sexually abused Dylan Farrow, the daughter he had adopted with Mia Farrow. The case and the resulting fallout still resonate nearly 30 years later. The scandal has been resurrected this year with the release of the HBO docuseries Allen v. Farrow. Joining us to discuss the social and cultural consequences o

Apr 27, 2021 • 1:00:38

The Notorious B.I.G. Has Got a Hip-Hop Story to Tell

The Notorious B.I.G. Has Got a Hip-Hop Story to Tell

Today, we’re talking about Christopher Wallace, aka Biggie Smalls or The Notorious B.I.G., the acclaimed rapper who was tragically murdered at the age of just 24 in a drive-by shooting. Talking to us about Biggie Smalls' life and his legacy on hip-hop is Grammy-award-winning director Emmett Malloy, who directed and produced the original Netflix documentary Biggie: I Got a Story to Tell.  We talk about who Christopher Wallace really was, as well as how Emmett got access to never-before-seen foota

Apr 20, 2021 • 55:37

White Boy Rick: A Call for a Better American Justice System

White Boy Rick: A Call for a Better American Justice System

Richard Wershe, Jr, aka White Boy Rick, is the subject of a true-crime documentary that recently landed on Netflix. Shawn Rech, the award-winning director and producer of White Boy (2017), joins us to talk about the tragic circumstances surrounding White Boy Rick's over-30-year incarceration for a nonviolent offence. Shawn is well-known for creating documentaries that help to overturn wrongful convictions or over-sentencing. White Boy tells the story of Richard, who was an FBI informant as a chi

Apr 13, 2021 • 1:04:44

Murder Among the Mormons: The Mark Hoffman Story

Murder Among the Mormons: The Mark Hoffman Story

Murder Among the Mormons (2021) is the new Netflix true-crime docuseries about Mark Hofmann, who is one of the most notable forgers in history. Hofmann created forgeries related to the Latter Day Saint movement, which led to fame and fortune. But the truth caught up with Hofmann one fateful day in 1985, as two innocent people lost their lives.  We are joined by award-winning co-director and producer of Murder Among the Mormons, Tyler Measom. His previous work includes Leaving the Cult: Sons of

Apr 5, 2021 • 56:21

Moment of Truth: The Murder of Michael Jordan's Father

Moment of Truth: The Murder of Michael Jordan's Father

James Jordan, the father of basketball legend Michael Jordan, was found tragically murdered in the middle of swamp just days after his 57th birthday in 1993. There were many mysterious circumstances surrounding his death, but the investigation and trial were deemed a success, resulting in the conviction of two teenage boys. But why does one of the convicted still proclaim his innocence almost 30 years later? We are joined by award-winning director and producer of the soon to be released docu-ser

Mar 30, 2021 • 59:21

Tina Turner: The Queen of Rock'n'Roll's Untold Story

Tina Turner: The Queen of Rock'n'Roll's Untold Story

On paper, Tina Turner probably should never have become a rock-and-roll superstar. But there she is anyway, one of the greatest survivors in modern music, who has overcome extreme adversity to define her career, her identity and her legacy on her own terms.  TINA (2021) offers a fresh perspective on the life and career of Tina Turner, the Queen of Rock and Roll. Through never-before-seen footage and previously unreleased recordings, the film draws back the curtain on Tina's life, introducing us

Mar 23, 2021 • 53:45

Underground Inc.: The Legacy of Alternative Rock

Underground Inc.: The Legacy of Alternative Rock

When we think of alternative music of the 1990s, bands like Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Rage Against the Machine or Green Day immediately come to mind – bands who were supported by major labels and commercially viable.  However, there was a whole sea of other underground bands, spanning a few generations, who were completely fobbed off by the corporate music labels, who didn't sell as many records, and whose careers were overshadowed by their commercially successful counterparts. Joining us in t

Mar 18, 2021 • 48:19

Martha Cooper: The Unlikely Hero of Street Art

Martha Cooper: The Unlikely Hero of Street Art

Martha Cooper is an iconic American photojournalist and the unlikely hero of street artists across the globe. She documented New York's underground graffiti scene in the 1970s, at a time when street art was looked down upon as being immoral and lacking in artistic merit. But Martha instead fell in love with the scene and in 1984 published her photos in Subway Art. After a failed launch, the book has gone on to be one of the most sold, and stolen, art books of all time. It also influenced a gene

Mar 9, 2021 • 41:59

Tim O'Brien: The Final Book on the Vietnam War

Tim O'Brien: The Final Book on the Vietnam War

Tim O'Brien is one of the most influential living American writers, a National Book Award winner and the author of the groundbreaking book The Things They Carried. Tim joins us along with award winning director and producer Aaron Matthews to discuss Aaron's film, The War and Peace of Tim O’Brien. Aaron spent over a year filming Tim as he battled to write one final book – a legacy for his young family about life and fatherhood – even as Tim and his family remain haunted by the ghosts of the Vietn

Mar 2, 2021 • 1:07:16

Billie Eilish: A Portrait of the Artist

Billie Eilish: A Portrait of the Artist

In the blink of an eye, Billie Eilish has gone from being an aspiring musician to a five-time Grammy Award winner and global superstar with a multimillion-fan following on social media. Brilliantly capturing this incredible journey in his new documentary, award-winning director RJ Cutler returns to the podcast to discuss Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry (2021). Inspired by musicals, concert films and observational cinema, the film takes an intimate look at Billie Eilish’s remarkable ri

Feb 23, 2021 • 50:26

The Last Hillbilly of Rural Appalachia

The Last Hillbilly of Rural Appalachia

Rural Appalachia is a part of America that’s vanishing before our eyes. With the loss of the coal industry, the future for the people of eastern Kentucky is uncertain. However, this is what inspires the self-proclaimed "last hillbilly" Brian Ritchie.  French directors and writers, Diane Sara Bouzgarrou and Thomas Jenkoe, join us to discuss their award-winning documentary The Last Hillbilly (2020). The film won the Best International Doc Award at the Torino Film Festival, and received a special m

Feb 16, 2021 • 1:03:14

McMillion$: McDonald's Monopoly Fraud Revisited

McMillion$: McDonald's Monopoly Fraud Revisited

The HBO documentary miniseries McMillion$ tells the gripping tale behind the McDonald's Monopoly promotion scam. Between 1989 and 2001 a criminal ring defrauded more than $24 million in prizes from McDonald's. If not for a tipoff to a backwater FBI office, McDonald's never would have found out about the fraud. The ensuing investigation resulted in the arrests of over 50 people.  Directors and executive producers James Lee Hernandez and Brian Lazarte bring this incredible story to life. They shar

Feb 9, 2021 • 53:29

Steve McQueen: The Lost Formula 1 Movie

Steve McQueen: The Lost Formula 1 Movie

Steve McQueen, the Hollywood icon, had a passion for car racing. However, his long lost Formula 1 film project never saw the light of day – until now. Joining us to talk about this incredible story are the filmmakers behind Steve McQueen: The Lost Movie (2021), director, writer and producer Alex Rodger, and archivist Richard Wiseman. The film elegantly captures Steve McQueen's stardom and passion for car racing. It is set against the backdrop of the 1960s – glory days for both Formula 1 and Holl

Feb 2, 2021 • 57:13

Miles Davis: The Coolest Music Innovator of the 20th Century

Miles Davis: The Coolest Music Innovator of the 20th Century

Miles Davis was among the most influential and acclaimed figures in the history of jazz and 20th-century music. An iconic trumpeter and composer, Miles changed the genre of jazz more times than anyone before him or anyone since. He invented what we today call cool jazz, hard bop, and jazz fusion. His album Kind of Blue is one of the greatest pieces of art of the 20th century.  Award-winning director and producer, Stanley Nelson, joins us to discuss his documentary Miles Davis: Birth of The Cool.

Jan 26, 2021 • 1:00:42

Belushi: The Brilliance and Tragedy of a Comedy Genius

Belushi: The Brilliance and Tragedy of a Comedy Genius

Saturday Night Live, The Blues Brothers, and the National Lampoon — John Belushi was an iconic figure of the 1970s comedy scene. But he was more than just a comic genius.  At one moment, Belushi had the number one show on television, the number one film at the box office, and the number one record on the charts. Just three years later he died from a heroin overdose aged just 33. How did such a talented figure come to such a tragic end? The award-winning director, producer, and writer, R.J. Cutle

Jan 19, 2021 • 52:59

MLK/FBI: America on a Collision Course

MLK/FBI: America on a Collision Course

For years Martin Luther King Jr, the leader and hero of the civil rights movement, faced constant surveillance and harassment by the US government. Helping us to learn more about this dark chapter in America's history is award-winning director, editor and producer, Sam Pollard, whose latest film MLK/FBI premieres on January 15th 2021, ahead of Martin Luther King Jr Day on January 18th. As a filmmaker with a career spanning more than three decades, Sam Pollard has won three Emmys and along with S

Jan 12, 2021 • 48:24

The Mysterious Photo of Abraham Lincoln

The Mysterious Photo of Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln may have been America's greatest leader. The 16th president ended slavery and led the nation out of one of its darkest periods.  However, Lincoln's life and legacy were cut short that fateful night in 1865, when the actor John Wilkes Booth entered Ford's Theatre and killed the president with an assassin's bullet.   Today, only 130 photographs of President Lincoln are known to have survived. But is it possible that another image exists, secretly taken after he was shot, and kept h

Dec 22, 2020 • 1:09:49

The Great Hack: Big Tech and the Post-Truth World

The Great Hack: Big Tech and the Post-Truth World

We live under the spell of big data. We give the big tech firms access to our personal data and they shape our lives without us even knowing it. This includes how we choose our leaders.   Award-winning directors and producers Jehane Noujaim and Karim Amer join us to discuss their film The Great Hack, released by Netflix last year. The Great Hack observes the actors in the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica data scandal surrounding the 2016 US presidential election.  Jehane and Karim discuss how data h

Dec 15, 2020 • 58:48

The Political Wit and Persona of Molly Ivins

The Political Wit and Persona of Molly Ivins

Raise Hell: The Life & Times of Molly Ivins is a documentary that chronicles the career of the acclaimed Texas columnist and journalist. Molly was nominated multiple times for the Pulitzer Prize for her commentary, and her Texas twang became an unlikely voice of liberal America.  Now 13 years after Molly’s untimely death, award-winning director and producer, Janice Engel, brings Molly’s acerbic wit and no-holds-barred approach to journalism to the big screen.  Janice shares with us how she went

Dec 8, 2020 • 1:03:27

Horton Foote: The Greatest Playwright You've Never Heard Of

Horton Foote: The Greatest Playwright You've Never Heard Of

Today we're talking about Horton Foote (1916-2009), the award-winning playwright and screenwriter. In the recently released documentary Horton Foote: The Road to Home, the celebrated screenwriter Anne Rapp helps us to learn more about this unsung Texas and American legend. Foote was born and raised in Wharton, Texas, and he went on to become a Pulitzer Prize winning playwright, the winner of two Academy Awards for screenwriting, an Emmy Award for television writing, and was a recipient of the Na

Dec 1, 2020 • 1:30:02

Chuck Berry: The Original King of Rock and Roll

Chuck Berry: The Original King of Rock and Roll

Chuck Berry (1926-2017) was the original King of Rock and Roll. That is according to Jon Brewer, and being referred to as 'God of rock docs,' he should know. Jon discusses Chuck Berry and the making of his documentary about the American icon. The film tells the story of Chuck’s life through the lens of his relatives and friends, and also uses dramatic reenactments of certain situations Chuck Berry lived through.  Jon goes on to share a host of amazing stories drawn from his 50 years in the music

Nov 24, 2020 • 1:35:14

Kiss the Ground: How We Can Reverse Climate Change

Kiss the Ground: How We Can Reverse Climate Change

On a daily basis, we are inundated with more bad news about the environmental catastrophe caused by climate change, unfolding in front of our very eyes. But is it too late? Can anything really be done? It's enough to make us give up. Many of us have. But a simple solution may be literally underneath our feet, according to the Netflix documentary Kiss the Ground from award-winning filmmakers Josh and Rebecca Tickell. Kiss the Ground reveals that by regenerating the world's soils, we can completel

Nov 17, 2020 • 1:07:50

Kiss the Ground: How We Can Reverse Climate Change

Kiss the Ground: How We Can Reverse Climate Change

Kiss the Ground (2020), directed by Josh and Rebecca Tickell, reveals how we can rapidly reverse climate change by regenerating the world's soils.

Nov 17, 2020 • 1:07:49

Robin’s Wish: Who Robin Williams Really Was

Robin’s Wish: Who Robin Williams Really Was

On August 11th 2014, the world was shocked to find out that Robin Williams had died by suicide. For someone who brought so much humour to the world, it was a tragic, traumatic end. But no one knew how much more there was to the story. Left to speculate on Robin’s motives, the media circus spun out of control, leaving the public in the dark about a complicated and obscured truth. Robin, bright, funny, quick witted, had lost a battle against an unknown enemy, the nearly impossible to diagnose brai

Nov 10, 2020 • 59:08

Boys State: A Reflection of a Polarised Society

Boys State: A Reflection of a Polarised Society

Today is a special US presidential election edition of Factual America. Americans are heading to the polls. Will they re-elect Donald Trump? Or will they opt for a change and vote for Joe Biden? We can’t say either way with any certainty. What we can say is that America is a polarised society. And whatever the result, the politics of division are here to stay, so it seems. That division and polarisation are captured brilliantly in Boys State, the Sundance Jury Prize Winner from filmmakers Amanda

Nov 3, 2020 • 53:33

Linda Ronstadt: An Homage to Mexican Americans

Linda Ronstadt: An Homage to Mexican Americans

The singing career of Linda Ronstadt spanned five decades. A versatile and talented artist, she has won ten Grammys, three American Music Awards, two Academy of Country Music Awards and an Emmy. Along the way, she recorded the biggest selling foreign language album of all time. Now retired from singing, Linda continues to give back to the community, as captured by award-winning director and producer James Keach in Linda and the Mockingbirds. James joins us to share a side of Linda Ronstadt that

Oct 27, 2020 • 51:56

A Life on Our Planet: Sir David Attenborough’s Witness Statement

A Life on Our Planet: Sir David Attenborough’s Witness Statement

Sir David Attenborough is a broadcast legend. And probably no individual has seen more of the Earth’s wilderness in his illustrious nearly 70-year career. That makes him the perfect witness to the devastating changes afflicting our planet. In David Attenborough: A Life On Our Planet (2020), which premiered on Netflix, co-director Keith Scholey of Silverback Films and producer Colin Butfield of the World Wildlife Fund bring us Sir David’s witness statement. In the process, they also provide us wi

Oct 20, 2020 • 55:56

Public Trust: The Urgency to Protect US Public Lands

Public Trust: The Urgency to Protect US Public Lands

America is a land of natural beauty and natural resources. Unfortunately, these too often come into conflict. Never was this more true when it comes to America’s 640 million acres of public lands. Filmmakers David Byars and Jeremy Rubingh document the fight to protect America’s public lands for future generations in their film Public Trust which recently premiered on YouTube with tremendous success. The executive producers of the film are Patagonia’s founder Yvon Chouinard and famous actor and f

Oct 13, 2020 • 1:05:02

RBG: The Iconic American Supreme Court Justice

RBG: The Iconic American Supreme Court Justice

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away on September 18, 2020. She had a long and illustrious career as an advocate for gender equality, a jurist and most famously as an Associate Justice on the United States Supreme Court. Joining us to pay tribute to this true American icon is Julie Cohen, together with Betsy West, the co-director and co-producer of RBG. RBG is a documentary that beautifully captures the life and legacy of Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The film itself premiered in 2018 at the Sundance

Oct 6, 2020 • 1:14:01

Class Action Park: America’s Most Dangerous Amusement Park

Class Action Park: America’s Most Dangerous Amusement Park

Action Park in Vernon, New Jersey was straight out of a Gen X teenager’s dream. The R-rated version of a John Hughes film, or as Jason Bailey at the New York Times puts it, “a rule-free stew of dangerous rides, teen guests, teen employees, raging hormones, 80s-style machismo, and booze”. But for all the nostalgia, the place comes with bad memories for those whose loved ones were seriously injured, and in some cases killed by the reckless actions of Gene Mulvihill, the fallen Wall Street mogul wh

Sep 29, 2020 • 57:27

Good Ol Girl: Cowgirls in Modern Ranching

Good Ol Girl: Cowgirls in Modern Ranching

When we think of Texas, we think of wide open spaces, ranches, rugged individualism, the Wild West, and invariably cowboys. But where do women fit into this mix? In their film Good Ol Girl, Sarah Brennan Kolb and Kyle Kelley put this question into the context of present-day Texas. The film tells the stories of three young modern-day Texan cowgirls, and explores the role of women in cowboy culture. Women are increasingly taking a larger role in the traditionally male dominated industry of ranchin

Sep 22, 2020 • 1:09:47

Imagining the Indian: De-Mascoting Native Americans in Sports

Imagining the Indian: De-Mascoting Native Americans in Sports

America is famous for its sports franchises and rabid fans. However, there is one group of Americans for whom sports raise painful memories. These are the Native Americans. At least some people are trying to put an end to racial stereotyping in US sports. And they have already succeeded in changing the name of the Washington Football Team. Aviva Kempner is the award-winning director of successful docs like “The Life and Times of Hank Greenberg”. Kevin Blackistone is an award-winning national spo

Sep 15, 2020 • 1:08:21

Air Jordan: A Cultural Phenomenon

Air Jordan: A Cultural Phenomenon

Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time. He may also be America’s first black cultural icon, blazing a trail for other African American athletes like LeBron James. Besides his performance on the court, Jordan rocketed to fame on the back of a clever and innovative marketing campaign to sell sneakers, and a shrewd business model that made him a billionaire. However, has success come with a price? Well, Nike and Jordan have made billions of dollars. They have also created a sh

Sep 8, 2020 • 1:20:11

They’re Trying to Kill Us: Diet, Poverty and Racism

They’re Trying to Kill Us: Diet, Poverty and Racism

In our final episode of Season One, we’re joined by John Lewis, aka Badass Vegan. John’s upcoming documentary, They’re Trying to Kill Us, touches on so many of the issues that we’ve looked at this year on the podcast – factory farming, race and Big Pharma, just to name a few – but this time through the unique lens of hip hop. They’re Trying to Kill Us explores the connections between diet, poverty and systemic racism. As well as looking at veganism, we discuss Big Pharma and the link between min

Aug 11, 2020 • 1:00:24

Uprooted: American History Through Jazz Dance

Uprooted: American History Through Jazz Dance

The history of jazz dance is the history of America. That history is not well documented, however, especially when it comes to the leading role played by African Americans. In Uprooted: The Journey of Jazz Dance, filmmakers Khadifa Wong and Zak Nemorin trace jazz dance back to its roots in Africa, and follow its evolution up to the present. Along the way Khadifa and Zack address difficult subjects such as appropriation, racism and sexism within this quintessential American art form, and in the p

Aug 4, 2020 • 1:03:21

Insert Coin: The Arcade Video Game Revolution

Insert Coin: The Arcade Video Game Revolution

For those of us who grew up in the 1980s and 90s, the arcade was a home away from home. And most likely we were playing a video game that was the creative genius of a scrappy group of renegade designers in Chicago. In his film Insert Coin (2020), director Josh Tsui captures what it was like for the fellows at Midway Games to revolutionize the video game industry. And along the way, Josh perfectly captures 1990s pop culture. Insert Coin is an interesting take on the arcade gaming world, showing u

Jul 28, 2020 • 56:21

Closed For Storm: The Abandoned Six Flags Theme Park

Closed For Storm: The Abandoned Six Flags Theme Park

What is it about old abandoned buildings that can be so compelling and alluring? We find out today as we welcome filmmakers Jake Williams and John Shaw to the podcast. Their film Closed For Storm is about a theme park left for ruin in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina 15 years ago. Closed For Storm shows Six Flags New Orleans in its glory days and current state of abject dereliction. Along the way, the film also captures the broken dreams and fleeting aspirations of a community still looking fo

Jul 21, 2020 • 1:15:35

Hamtramck, USA: A Multicultural Landscape

Hamtramck, USA: A Multicultural Landscape

The US is a nation of immigrants. And there’s no better example of this than Hamtramck, Michigan, America’s first Muslim-majority city. No bigger than two square miles, Hamtramck is home to a myriad of nationalities and ethnic groups. Over 30 different languages can be heard on its streets. Using a city government election as a backdrop, producers and directors Justin Feltman and Razi Jafri eloquently capture the dynamism stemming from successive waves of immigration. Is America a melting pot or

Jul 14, 2020 • 51:42

Becoming Rocky: How Sylvester Stallone Became a Star

Becoming Rocky: How Sylvester Stallone Became a Star

In 1976, Sylvester Stallone was a struggling actor with a big dream and the courage of his convictions. That dream became Rocky, one of the most iconic films of all time. Using home movies shot mostly by the director John Avildsen, director and producer Derek Wayne Johnson perfectly captures the moment when Sylvester Stallone became a superstar. 40 Years of Rocky: The Birth of a Classic, as it is known in the USA and Canada, or Becoming Rocky: The Birth of a Classic, as it is known everywhere el

Jul 7, 2020 • 53:03

Streetlight Harmonies: The Lasting Legacy of Doo-Wop

Streetlight Harmonies: The Lasting Legacy of Doo-Wop

In the late 1950s, doo-wop music took America by storm. And its legacy lasts to this day in the music of such recording artists as Bruno Mars and Meghan Trainor.  Award-winning director and producer Brent Wilson is shining a light on this genre of pop music. Using original interviews with doo-wop recording artists, and those they influenced, Brent’s documentary Streetlight Harmonies perfectly captures the zeitgeist of the 50s and early 60s.  Doo-wop originated with African-American teenagers on

Jun 30, 2020 • 53:22

Crip Camp: Cradle of the Disability Rights Movement

Crip Camp: Cradle of the Disability Rights Movement

In the 1970s Camp Jened was not just any old summer camp in the Catskills. Hippy values, the Grateful Dead and pot smoking shaped this utopia for teens with disabilities.   Before long, a generation of summer campers with disabilities became a social movement that soon changed the world. We welcome Jim LeBrecht and Nicole Newnham, co-directors of the Netflix documentary Crip Camp, to the podcast. Jim and Nicole share their experiences making a documentary about one of the most compelling, previo

Jun 23, 2020 • 50:38

Stewart Brand: America’s Last Great Optimist

Stewart Brand: America’s Last Great Optimist

Stewart Brand has been at the forefront of multiple societal trends since the 1960s, and now he’s trying to bring back the woolly mammoth and other species from extinction.  Is this folly or is he once again ahead of the curve?  Stewart might just be one of the most influential people that none of us have heard of.  He traveled around with the novelist Ken Kesey and his Merry Pranksters. Afterwards, he kick-started the modern environmental movement, by pressuring NASA to release a satellite imag

Jun 16, 2020 • 58:15

Baywatch: The American Dream

Baywatch: The American Dream

Baywatch was a 1990s phenomenon well ahead of its time, going ‘viral’ long before there was something called social media.  Director and producer Matt Felker is an acclaimed observer of pop culture and social media trends. As a result, Matt is making a documentary that takes a serious look at Baywatch – a show that still resonates with a global audience 20 years later.  Recently, Factual America caught up with Matt, producer Nicole Eggert, who played Summer Quinn on the show, and Jeremy Jackson,

Jun 9, 2020 • 1:12:20

Natalie Wood: Cinema Icon

Natalie Wood: Cinema Icon

Natalie Wood was an iconic American actress, featuring in many influential Hollywood movies in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. Her life was tragically cut short when she drowned at the age of 43.  Today we talk with Laurent Bouzereau, the director and producer of the recently released HBO documentary Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind (2020). The film explores Natalie’s life and career through the unique perspective of her daughter, Natasha Gregson Wagner, and others who knew her best. Had she lived, Na

Jun 2, 2020 • 1:01:09

The Hart Family Tragedy

The Hart Family Tragedy

The Hart Family had the perfect American life. At least, that is what their social media accounts showed the world. But the reality was very different.  A Thread of Deceit: The Hart Family Tragedy documents a family’s spiral into abuse and despair. Ultimately, Jennifer and Sarah Hart decided to drive their family SUV off a cliff, killing them and their six adopted children.  How could this happen? The Harts’ social media accounts were full of beautiful images – playing in the garden with the kid

May 26, 2020 • 50:53

The Life of Modern-Day American Cowboys

The Life of Modern-Day American Cowboys

Cowboys are as American as hot dogs and apple pie. But what is life like for the modern-day American cowboy? Filmed on eight of the nation’s largest cattle ranches across ten states in the American West, Cowboys: A Documentary Portrait (2019) provides an intimate look at life in the modern world for this most American of icons.  A cowboy’s life has always been one of solitude and hard work. This is still the case.  Even as they adapt to modernity, the modern-day cowpoke provides us with lessons

May 19, 2020 • 1:02:28

I Am Not Your Negro: Racism in the US

I Am Not Your Negro: Racism in the US

Narrated by Samuel L Jackson, I Am Not Your Negro (2016) uses James Baldwin’s unfinished manuscript to tell the horrific history of racism in America. Following the lives of three slain civil rights leaders, Medgar Evers, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King Jr, Baldwin’s words still resonate today.  Since the beginning, race has defined America and racism permeates its politics to this day. To discuss the issue, Dr Richard Johnson, lecturer in US politics and international relations at Lancaster U

May 12, 2020 • 42:35

Opioid Addiction: This Drug May Kill You

Opioid Addiction: This Drug May Kill You

Warning: This Drug May Kill You (2017) by broadcast journalist Perri Peltz is a heart-wrenching account of opioid addiction in the US. Before the coronavirus, a different epidemic plagued America. Medical researchers will hopefully develop a vaccine for Covid-19 in the near future. But more than 2 million Americans remain addicted to opioids. Is there any hope in sight?  Norman Stone, award-winning director, producer and screenwriter, joins Factual America to discuss Peltz’s film. Norman has res

May 5, 2020 • 52:22

Louis Theroux, Religion and Free Speech in America

Louis Theroux, Religion and Free Speech in America

In America religion and politics are inextricably linked, despite what the US Constitution might say. Using The Most Hated Family in America (2007) by Louis Theroux and its sequel, America’s Most Hated Family in Crisis (2011), Factual America explores the history of religion in US politics. Not only does religion polarise American society, but it also played a big role in determining the winner of the 2016 US presidential election. Will the same be true in 2020? Emma Long, Senior Lecturer in Ame

Apr 21, 2020 • 51:27

Eating Animals, Factory Farming and the Pandemic

Eating Animals, Factory Farming and the Pandemic

How many of us think about where the meat on our tables comes from? Well, we all should! That’s the message of Eating Animals (2017), produced and narrated by Natalie Portman and based on the best-selling book on factory farming by Jonathan Safran Froer. The film shines a light on corporate farming. Besides being inherently cruel to animals, it has destroyed entire ways of life and is devastating our environment. Now factory farming is threatening to kill us all by fostering a pandemic. However,

Apr 7, 2020 • 56:33

Capital Punishment: Life and Death Row

Capital Punishment: Life and Death Row

Is it ever right to kill someone? Are lethal injections really humane? Is capital punishment going to be around forever? In some parts of the world the US is infamous for its continued use of the death penalty. Using the BBC’s Life and Death Row – The Mass Execution as a backdrop, Dr Vivien Miller discusses the history of capital punishment in America. In doing so, she reveals how the death penalty divides the US along several different fault lines: race, gender, religion and region. The first

Mar 24, 2020 • 46:29

Inconvenient Truth, Al Gore and Climate Change

Inconvenient Truth, Al Gore and Climate Change

An Inconvenient Truth (2006) won two Academy Awards, and turned former Vice President of the United States Al Gore into an international celebrity. More importantly, it brought climate change and global warming to the forefront of our collective consciousness. Drawing on his own research, our guest Dr James Lyons shows how director Davis Guggenheim uses performance to dramatically animate risk in the film. In doing so, does he change the focus, away from climate change? Do the camera lights inst

Mar 10, 2020 • 45:05

2020 American Election: Super Tuesday

2020 American Election: Super Tuesday

Factual America caught up with director and producer Adithya Sambamurthy, who is heading to the US to cover the 2020 American election for The Guardian newspaper. We discuss the upcoming elections and take a look back at President Donald Trump’s rise to power.  In 2016 and 2018 Adi spent weeks on the campaign trail filming and producing Anywhere but Washington. He shares his experiences criss-crossing America, where he was able to meet with Trump supporters and observe first hand the changing Am

Feb 25, 2020 • 50:38

Globalisation of Factory Farming

Globalisation of Factory Farming

Soyalism (2018) explores how factory farming has become a giant global business concentrated in the hands of a few Western and Chinese companies. Across the globe, people are eating more and more meat. Demand has increased sevenfold since 1960 with 70 billion animals currently being killed per year. That number is set to reach 120 billion by 2050. To meet this demand, corporate giants have taken over farming, creating massive ‘factories’ for the housing and feeding of livestock and waste disposa

Feb 11, 2020 • 30:10

Gun Violence and Mass Shootings in America

Gun Violence and Mass Shootings in America

America’s love affair with guns is one of its defining attributes, and the number of mass shootings hit an all-time high in 2019. While politicians vow to tackle the problem, a powerful gun lobby stands in the way. To help us understand why the US struggles with gun violence on such a massive scale, Dr Peter Squires, an expert on the subject, joins the show. He is a sociologist and professor of criminology and public policy at the University of Brighton, who has worked with many different police

Jan 28, 2020 • 48:11

DA Pennebaker’s Dont Look Back

DA Pennebaker’s Dont Look Back

As a tribute to documentary film pioneer DA Pennebaker, who passed away in August 2019, Factual America explores his groundbreaking Dont Look Back (1967), considered one of the best documentary films of all time. Dr Stella Bruzzi, author of the acclaimed New Documentary, demonstrates how the film about Bob Dylan is a shining example of the direct cinema style pioneered by Pennebaker and in the process shows us why people like Michael Moore have called him the “grandfather of modern American do

Jan 14, 2020 • 48:09

Alex Gibney’s Theranos Scandal Documentary

Alex Gibney’s Theranos Scandal Documentary

In Silicon Valley, where “fake it till you make it” is a mantra, Elizabeth Holmes stood out. Theranos, the company she founded, drew the support and accolades of investors and senior statesmen alike – that is until a Wall Street Journal reporter’s prying questions spelled the beginning of the end. What originally looked like a revolutionary technology in blood sampling quickly became a scandal that swept the nation. Today we are joined by award-winning business and tech broadcaster, and host o

Jan 14, 2020 • 43:00

Building Trump’s Border Wall in Texas

Building Trump’s Border Wall in Texas

In The River and the Wall (2019), a group of modern-day adventurers led by filmmaker Ben Masters sets out on a 1,200-mile journey along the Texas-Mexico border to understand the economic, environmental and social impact of President Donald Trump’s border wall. They not only encounter a land of soaring vistas, outstanding natural beauty and unrivaled ruggedness but also discover something about themselves and the immigrant experience. In this episode we are joined by Sebastian Sauerborn, German

Jan 14, 2020 • 33:34

Salesman by Albert and David Maysles

Salesman by Albert and David Maysles

Award-winning journalist, Kevin Turley, joins Factual America to discuss Albert and David Maysles’ seminal documentary. Kevin places Salesman in the context of 1960s America and traces the film’s influence on documentary filmmaking to this day. Along the way Kevin and host Matthew Sherwood discover that the film about hard-luck Bible salesmen is actually about so much more — namely the pursuit of the American Dream. They talk about the day to day difficulties that many people had to face back th

Jan 10, 2020 • 36:33

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