Filmwax Radio

The filmmaker Bette Gordon (Variety, Handsome Harry) is the sole guest on this episode. Bette’s latest film, The Drowning, debuts on Netflix on Friday, September 1. The film stars Josh Charles as a psychologist whose testimony once sent a boy to prison for murder. Now free, the young man re-enters the doctor’s life. The film also stars Julia Stiles, Avant-Garde Jogia, and Filmwax Radio friend Leo Fitzpatrick. During my conversation with Gordon, we discuss her long career starting during the No Wave vanguard of the East Village 80’s right up to present time, as a filmmaker & Mom living in a lovely Tribeca loft.

This episode of the podcast is sponsored by the Vermont College of Fine Arts film program. Visit vcfa.edu/film for further details.

Filmwax Radio is presented by Rooftop Films. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. The podcast is also available on iTunes, Stitcher & Youtube.

[5 mins. 10 secs.] Comedy producer & writer Jeffrey Gurian returns to the podcast for his second appearance to discuss his friendship with Jerry Lewis. Visit Jeffrey’s website Jeffrey Gurian’s Comedy Matters (comedymatterstv.com), subscribe to his newsletter & keep up to date with all of Gurian’s amazing work in the comedy industry. His friendship with Lewis, who died this past week at the age of 91, goes back several decades.

[26 mins. 30 secs.] The filmmaker Matt Ruskin discusses his new feature film, Crown Heights, which is currently screening in NYC, opens theatrically in Los Angeles on Friday, August 25th, then wider in the coming weeks. The film is based on a real incident in 1980 and was adapted from a segment on This American Life. The stellar cast includes Lakeith Stanfield, Nestor Carbonell, Natalie Paul, and prior FIlmwax Radio guest Josh Pais, and is distributed by Amazon Studios and IFC Films.

[51 mins. 30 secs.] Last up, Brooklyn-based filmmaker Sujewa Ekanayake (http://www.wilddinermedia.com/contact.html). Sujewa discusses recent projects as well as his sideline which is consulting with clients running crowdsourced fundraisers. If interested, you can find him Facebook or Twitter.

This episode of the podcast is sponsored by the Vermont College of Fine Arts. Visit vcfa.edu/film for further details.

Filmwax Radio is presented by Rooftop Films. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. The podcast is also available on iTunes, Stitcher & Youtube.

[8 mins. 8 secs.] On this episode of the podcast, first up is the comedy lead at Kickstarter, Taylor Moore, who discusses the Brooklyn Comedy Film Festival which runs from this evening, Monday, August 21st through next weekend at the Nitehawk Cinema. Every night until Thursday is an outstanding comedy film, followed by a weekend of shorts & brunch events. There are also panels and other terrific Q&A’s. Visit the Brooklyn Comedy Festival’s website or Nitehawk’s website for tickets and more details.

[48 mins. 50 secs.] Filmmaker Michael Almereyda has a new film currently screening at the Quad Cinema in NYC called Marjorie Prime. One of the film’s stars, the legendary actress Lois Smith (East of Eden, Five Easy Pieces) joins the director in a conversation about the film which was adapted from a play in which Ms. Smith performed in both New York City and Los Angeles productions. The film is being distributed by FilmRise and co-stars Jon Hamm, Geena Davis and Tim Robbins.

Filmwax Radio is presented by Rooftop Films. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. The podcast is also available on iTunes, Stitcher & Youtube.

[5 mins. 20 secs.] In this jam-packed episode of the podcast I first welcome back long-time friend of Filmwax, filmmaker and commercial director, Adam Reid, who appeared way way back in Episodes 15 & 38 with his feature film, Hello Lonesome. Adam is back to discuss the Kickstarter campaign for his latest project, Barry & Joe: The Animated Series which is where Barack Obama and Joe Biden are sent back in time by Neil deGrasse Tyson. Bromancing the multiverse to save us from ourselves.

[39 mins. 45 secs.] When I was at the Maryland Film Festival this Spring I was fortunate enough to see a dark comedy called Lemon. The film concerns Isaac’ Lachman (guest Brett Gelman) whose blind girlfriend walks out on him, as his life goes into free fall. We follow Isaac as he directs an unhinged staging of Chekhov’s “The Seagull,” attends the Passover Seder from hell, and attempts to woo a new flame. Gelman, who co-directed and stars is joined by his partner Janicza Bravo, director of Lemon. The film, which is being distributed Magnolia Pictures and which also stars Judy Greer, Michael Cera and Nia Long, opens in Los Angeles, on iTunes, Amazon Video and on demand on Friday, August 18th, then in NYC on Friday, August 25th.

[1 hr. 8 mins. 55 secs.] Last up, the team behind the Sundance 2017 break-out hit, Patti Cake$: filmmaker Geremy Jasper, and actors Danielle McDonald and Cathy Moriarty (Raging Bull). In a coming-of-age story straight out of Jersey, an unlikely rapper finds her voice as a one-of-a-kind hip-hop legend in the making in Patti Cake$, the first feature film from acclaimed commercial and music-video director Jasper. Set in gritty strip-mall suburbia, the film which is being distributed by Fox Searchlight and opens wide August 18th, chronicles an underdog’s quest for fame and glory with humor, raw energy and some unforgettable beats.

Filmwax Radio is presented by Rooftop Films. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. The podcast is also available on iTunes, Stitcher & Youtube.

Documentary filmmaker Whitney Dow is the sole guest on Episode 420 of the podcast. Whitney, along with his longtime friend & collaborator Marco Williams, co-directed the seminal film The Two Towns of Jasper which is going to have an encore broadcast on POV on August 14th. Whitney is also spearheading The Whiteness Project an interactive investigation into how Americans who identify as white, or partially white, understand and experience their race. Check out the website for further details.

This episode of the podcast is sponsored by the Vermont College of Fine Arts. Visit vcfa.edu/film for further details.

Filmwax Radio is presented by Rooftop Films. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. The podcast is also available on iTunes, Stitcher & Youtube.

The Los Angeles-based host of the popular podcast The Q&A With Jeff Goldsmith is the first guest. Jeff discusses his approach to the show as well as the online magazine he publishes called The Backstory. Currently available for the iPod and will be available for other tablets momentarily.

After that filmmaker Lisanne Skyler discusses her recent documentary, Brillo Box (3¢ Off). Through much archive and contemporary interviews, the documentary traces her parents’ acquisition of an early Warhol work, the yellow Brillo Box which he would autograph. The film will have its broadcast premiere on HBO next Monday, August 7th at 10:00PM.

Filmwax Radio is presented by Rooftop Films. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. The podcast is also available on iTunes, Stitcher & Youtube.

In Strange Weather, Academy Award winner Holly Hunter gets behind the wheel in this engrossing story of a woman’s quest for rectitude in the wake of harrowing loss. Filmmaker Katherine Dieckmann discusses the film which opens theatrically on Friday, July 28th.

Next up, Brooklyn-based designer and illustrator Lucio Zago along with photographer Anders Goldfarb have collaborated on a graphic novel called Williamsburg Shorts. They discuss the book and more in this special conversation which takes place in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

This episode of the podcast is sponsored by the Vermont College of Fine Arts. Visit vcfa.edu/film for further details.

Filmwax Radio is presented by Rooftop Films. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. The podcast is also available on iTunes, Stitcher & Youtube.

On Episode 417 of Filmwax Radio [11 mins. 20 secs.] friend David Call makes his 3rd appearance on the podcast. David Skypes in briefly to talk about an Indiegogo campaign he is winding down with regarding a short film he has written, directed & acted in called Cole.

Next up, [22 mins. 40 secs.] a conversation with Dallas based actor and filmmaker Frank Mosley (Upstream Color, Some Beasts) who discusses his illustrious career. This is Frank’s first time on the podcast.

Lastly, [10 mins. 40 secs.] the Austin-based actor Heather Kafka (Lovers of Hate, Kid-Thing) stops by for her 2nd visit on the podcast. Heather was on Episode 304 along with Jonny Mars. This time it’s me & Heather podcasting over dinner in her hometown during SxSW 2015.

Filmwax Radio is presented by Rooftop Films. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. The podcast is also available on iTunes, Stitcher & Youtube.

Film critic & filmmaker Godfrey Cheshire returns to the podcast for his 3rd visit to discuss his first book which is on the subject of Iranian film. Titled In the Time of Kiarostami: Writings on Iranian Cinema, Cheshire is in the midst of an Indiegogo campaign to raise money to make this happen. As an early champion, Cheshire is largely responsible for bringing Iranian cinema to the States, and as a result created a strong relationship with Kiarostami as well as other key filmmakers from that country. It’s all in the book.

Then Part 2 of a phone call with filmmaker/actor/musician/photographer Richard Edson (Stranger Than Paradise, Do the Right Thing); Part 1 was on Episode 336. Edson discusses his experiences working in Hollywood after a successful string of indie films back in the mid-80’s into the early 90’s, as well as his own filmmaking.

Music on this episode is by Bleu from his recent album, To Hell With You, available where music is sold, downloaded or streamed.

Filmwax Radio is presented by Rooftop Films. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. The podcast is also available on iTunes, Stitcher & Youtube.

First up, [5 mins. 15 secs.] actress & filmmaker Karyn Parsons is the founder of Sweet Blackberry, a non-profit whose mission is to bring lesser known stories about real African American pioneers to children in the form of animated short films. Karyn’s latest project which she has written & produced is about the first African American female pilot, Bessie Coleman. Karyn discusses this film as well the current Kickstarter campaign to raise finishing funds. Check out all the great work she & Sweet Blackberry has been doing; then consider contributing to this worthwhile project.

Next up, [22 mins. 45 secs.] author Glenn Frankel discusses his new book High Noon: The Hollywood Blacklist and the Making of an American Classic (2017, Bloomsbury Publishing USA) available where books are sold.

Lastly, cinematographer Steven Bernstein (Monster, Like Water for Chocolate), who discusses his illustrious decades long career, as well as his popular seminars on indie filmmaking. Bernstein’s workshops intend to demystify topics as screenwriting, acting, cinematography & lighting. Check them all out.

Filmwax Radio is presented by Rooftop Films. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram. The podcast is also available on iTunes, Stitcher & Youtube.