Pure Nonfiction: Inside Documentary Film
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About This Podcast
Hear the world's top storytellers talk all things documentary film. Host Thom Powers is as well-connected as it gets in this world as a documentary curator for TIFF and other renowned festivals. He wrote the book "Mondo Documentary" that is “required reading for fans of nonfiction cinema,” says Judd Apatow. Our podcast guests range from documentary legends to emerging talent. Follow us on Instagram and Substack at @purenonfiction.
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Recent Episodes
S11E241 241: Live from New York, part 2
Recorded live in New York, host Thom Powers interviews the directors of three new projects: Alexandria Stapleton (Sean Combs: The Reckoning), Zach Heinzerling (Rafa) and Trish Dalton (Reggae Girlz).…
S11E240 240: Live from New York, part 1
Recorded live in New York, host Thom Powers explores four new documentary projects interviewing director Rebecca Miller (Mr Scorsese), director Ally Pankiw (Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery),…
S11E239 239: Poh Si Teng on "American Doctor"
"American Doctor" looks at the war in Gaza through the eyes of three volunteer surgeons from different backgrounds - Palestinian, Jewish and Zoroastrian. The film debuted at Sundance and will be…
S11E238 238: Colin Hanks & Ryan Reynolds on John Candy
"John Candy: I Like Me" (Amazon) looks at the highs and lows of the beloved comedian who was ever-present in the 1980s and early 90s before his death at age 43. Host Thom Powers interviews director…
S11E237 237: Judd Apatow & Michael Bonfiglio on Mel Brooks
“Mel Brooks: The 99-Year-Old Man” (HBO Max) is the latest collaboration by Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio who previously profiled comedians George Carlin and Gary Shandling. Their latest two-part…
S11E236 236: Raney Aronson-Rath on Frontline
Frontline executive producer Raney Aronson-Rath speaks about leading PBS's current affairs series while President Trump is defunding public television. Instead of shrinking, Frontline is growing with…
S11E235 235: Oscar Shortlist Spotlight
Fifteen films are shortlisted for the Oscars Feature Documentary category. On this episode, we hear from four of the directing teams:- "The Alabama Solution" with Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte…
S11E234 234: Ryan White & Megan Falley on "Come See Me in the Good Light"
"Come See Me in the Good Light" (Apple TV) portrays a love story of the spoken word poets Andrea Gibson and Megan Falley as they make the most of their lives in the face of a terminal cancer…
S10E233 233: Alexandria Stapleton on "Sean Combs: The Reckoning"
Director Alexandria Stapleton discusses her Netflix series "Sean Combs: The Reckoning," backed by executive producer Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson. Pure Nonfiction host Thom Powers interviews Stapleton…
S10E232 232: Apocalypse in the Tropics
"Apocalypse in the Tropics" explores the tumultuous battle to save democracy in Brazil. It reveals striking parallels to politics in the United States. Pure Nonfiction host Thom Powers speaks with…
S10E231 231: Docs from Five Countries
Host Thom Powers interviews the film teams behind five projects that are qualified for the Oscars:MY MOM JAYNE (director Mariska Hargitay, producer Trish Adlesic, editor J.D. Marlow) exploring the…
S10E230 230: Storks, Orphans, Rebels & Predators
Hear the filmmakers behind four of this year's most acclaimed documentaries: director Tamara Kotevska ("Honeyland") and cinematographer Jean Dakar on "The Tale of Silyan"; first time director Beth…
S10E229 229: Poetry, Murder, Prison & UFOs
Recorded live in Los Angeles, we partnered with The Ankler to bring you conversations covering four new documentaries: producer Jessica Hargrave (pictured) on “Come See Me in the Good Light”;…
S10E228 228: Contessa Gayles on "Songs From the Hole"
"Songs From the Hole," now playing on Netflix, won the SXSW Audience Award and the Blackstar Jury Prize for its artful approach to telling a story about solitary confinement. "It's eye-opening in a…
S10E227 227: Heidi Ewing & Rachel Grady on "Folktales"
Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady have been making films as a team for over 20 years. They have a fierce dedication to the art of observational documentary, even as that form becomes harder to finance.…
S10E226 226: Martha Stewart, Alice Waters, John Williams
Our Emmy contender conversations conclude with a look at three stand out biographies. Host Thom Powers interviews these directors:R.J. Cutler on "Martha" (Netflix) David Gelb with cinematographer…
S10E225 225: Will & Harper, Social Studies, Chimp Crazy
Thom Powers hosts conversations on three Emmy contenders:"Will & Harper" (Netflix) with participant Harper Steele"Social Studies" (FX) with director Lauren Greenfield and participants Sydney…
S10E224 224: Emmy contenders
Recorded live in New York City, Pure Nonfiction host Thom Powers interviews the filmmakers behind four Emmy contenders:Michelle Khare of "Challenge Accepted" (YouTube)Lance Oppenheim of "Ren Faire"…
S10E223 223: Questlove, Reginald Hudlin, David Tedeschi
Live from New York City, Pure Nonfiction host Thom Powers interviews the directors behind several projects contending for Emmy nominations:Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson on "Ladies and Gentlemen...50…
S10E222 222: Sam Soko on telling African stories
Kenya's Sam Soko is a prominent figure in the rising wave of African documentary. He won international attention for his films Softie and Free Money at Sundance, TIFF and elsewhere. In this interview…
Frequently Asked Questions
Pure Nonfiction: Inside Documentary Film has published 243 episodes since April 2016, covering topics in Documentary, Society & Culture.
Pure Nonfiction: Inside Documentary Film is currently highly active with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 38m.
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