Filmwax Radio

[3 mins. 30 secs.] The Indies Meet the Oscars! In the first segment of this episode we sit with Kickstarter‘s Director of Documentary Film, Liz Cook Mowe, and Director of Narrative Film, Elise McCave to chat about the organization now going into its 9th year. We also discuss the Oscar nominated animated feature that fundraised […]

[5 mins. 45 secs.] Upon the release of the Henry Fool Trilogy DVD box set, filmmaker Hal Hartley (Trust, Simple Men) returns to the podcast recorded from his Washington Heights apartment. (Hal was last on Episode 191.) A must-have for any Hartley fan, this beautifully designed and crafted box set includes the restored Henry Fool, Fay Grim, and Ned Rifle, and was directly overseen by Hartley himself. It is the first and only time the three films are presented together, with Henry Fool finally in HD and the 5.1 surround sound mix of Fay Grim fully restored. Also included in the package: a 16-page booklet with numerous rare photos from the production of the films and a new essay by Tom McSorley, a long time commentator on Hartley’s work and Executive Director of the Canadian Film Institute; the documentary Making Fay Grim or How Do You Spell Espionage? (2007); and the Promo Clip of Some Days in April (2014). The film is subtitled in English, Spanish, French, German & Japanese. Order your copy either from halhartley.com or Amazon.com.

[56 mins. 25 secs.] Also on this episode, a never before released segment with Hal and Ted Hope, his longtime producer, collaborator and friend. Recorded on July 9, 2014 from the IFC Center in NYC during a screening of Hal’s My America, Hope was at the time head of acquisitions at Fandor while Hal was finishing production on the upcoming Ned Rifle. In addition to discussing My America (now available for streaming on Vimeo), we also discuss Ted’s upcoming book Hope For Film.

The music on this episode is all from the new Hal Hartley instrumental album After The Catastrophe (2017) now available where music is sold, streamed, downloaded, etc. The tracks include Ballad Of Simple Men, After The Catastrophe, Between Jobs, and Trust Me.

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

[6 mins. 38 secs.] Filmmaker Sally Potter (Orlando, The Tango Lesson) makes her first appearance on Filmwax Radio correcting a long-standing problem with the podcast… the lack of Sally Potter. Check that one off the ol’ bucket list. Sally has a new film which is currently in theaters called The Party starring an A-list ensemble of actors including Kristin Scott Thomas, Timothy Spall, Bruno Ganz, Patricia Clarkson, Cherry Jones, Cillian Murphy and Emily Mortimer. The comedy concerns Janet (Scott) who is hosting an intimate gathering of friends in her London home to celebrate her political ascension. After her acerbic best friend and others arrive, some with dramatic news to share, an announcement by Janet’s husband (Spall) provokes a series of revelations. As the sophisticated soiree starts to unravel, a night that began with champagne soon ends up with arguments, shouting and a pointed gun. The film is screening at the Angelika Film Center New York & Landmark at 57 West, and at the Landmark in Los Angeles.

[29 mins.] The Director of Film Programs at the Jewish Community Center (JCC) in New York City, Isaac Zablocki discusses the 10th annual ReelAbilities Film Festival which will run from March 8th through the 14th at the Center as well as various satellite locations in and around NYC. Please check the website for tickets and more details. The opening night film is called Keep the Change which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival last spring.

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

[15 mins. 20 secs.] Remembering the legacy of the late documentary filmmaker St. Clair Bourne who is the subject of an upcoming retrospective this weekend at the Metrograph Theater in NYC. Joining me in the first segment, two filmmakers whose lives & careers were impacted by Bourne: Carol Bash (who last appeared on Episode 287) and, making her first appearance on the podcast, Yoruba Richen. The retrospective, to take place this weekend —February 16 through the 19th— will include a number of documentaries directed by Bourne as well as a number of documentaries by filmmakers like Bash and Richen, most of whom will appear at their screenings. Carol’s film, Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings the Band will screen on Sunday, February 18th at 2:00PM while Yoruba’s film Promised Land will screen on Sunday at 12:00 PM. Visit the Metrograph website for full details on all the screenings.

[39 mins. 200 secs.] Then I am joined by first time filmmaker Sophie Brooks whose new romantic comedy, The Boy Downstairs (FilmRise) opens theatrically this Friday, February 16th, at the Village East Cinema in New York City. The film, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival 2017, concerns Diana (Zosia Mamet, HBO’s “Girls”) who moves back to New York City after a few years abroad and finds the perfect Brooklyn apartment for a fresh start. Yet on the first night in her new home, she discovers that her ex-boyfriend Ben (Matthew Shear, Mistress America) lives in the apartment below hers.

This episode includes two songs recorded by musical artists Joe Purdy and Amber Rubarth who were just on Episode 457 with their film American Folk. These two tracks were recorded live from City Winery NYC exclusively for Filmwax Radio. The soundtrack for American Folk is available wherever music is sold.

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

On this episode, a rather laid back conversation on the craft of acting and the challenges of creating a career as such. Matthew Maher is an Obie Award winning actor who has been working in theater, film (Gone Baby Gone, While We’re Young) and television (Mozart in the Jungle, Nurse Jackie) for over two decades. But I know him from our summers way back when in a Vermont summer camp. Matthew is a resident of Brooklyn.

[6 mins. 10 secs.] Filmwax Radio’s Sundance correspondent Ronald Wohlman is back reporting on his experience in Park City last week which includes having seen 18 films in 3  1/2 days.

[39 mins. 55 secs.] Film programmer Pawel Wieszczecinski returns to the podcast. He was last on Episode 332 back in January of 2016. Pawel is about to officially launch his indie film streaming service, Kinoscope, and fans of this podcast will not want to miss this. For the very negligible monthly cost of $5.00, you can watch countless hours of great American and international festival films.  Pawel is joined by Filmwax friend Betty Kaplan, on a brief visit from Berlin.

[1 hr. 22 mins. 53 secs.] Last up, filmmaker Matthew Lessner with his dramatically eerie feature Automatic at Sea. Joining us is the film’s producer & lead actor, David Henry Gerson. On a whim, Eve, a Swedish traveler, accepts an invitation from Peter (Gerson) to vacation on his family’s private island off the coast of New England. As a series of unexpected delays prevent other guests from arriving, Eve discovers that she has little in common with the increasingly erratic Peter. Gradually the idyllic natural beauty of the island gives way and Eve finds herself trapped in a state of surreality punctuated by bizarre visions, dimensional shifting and secret soda. The film is currently available for streaming on Vimeo, iTunes & Amazon.

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

A special bonus edition of the podcast today since it’s Henry Jaglom’s 80th birthday. Here’s an hour long conversation with one of the most independent filmmakers in the history of filmmaking.

Henry Jaglom has written & directed 20 feature films today as well as a number of plays. He began his by helping edit Easy Rider with Jack Nicholson and Dennis Hopper. He became part of the BBS group of filmmakers where he would go on to direct his first film, A Safe Place Tracks starring Nicholson, Tuesday Welles, and what would become a decades long friendship with his idol Orson Welles. After that he directed Tracks starring Dennis Hopper. After the BBS organization fell apart, Jaglom continued making his own films, independently financing them all to date. Among the many actors Henry has directed are David Duchovny, Vanessa Redgrave, Melissa Leo, Filmwax friend Zack Norman, and a couple of ex-wives.

Jaglom currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife the actor Tanna Fredericks and their dogs. He’s recently adapted his play Train to Zakapané for the screen, which will be his 21st feature to be released later this year. He shows no signs of slowing down.

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

[8 mins. 15 secs.] Filmwax Radio’s Sundance correspondent, Ronald Wohlman, is back again having just appeared on our Episode 455. We continue devising Ronald’s plan of attack in Park City. We’ll hear back about Ronald’s success upon his return… fingers crossed.

[27 mins. 55 secs.] Actor and filmmaker Mark Webber (Green Room, The End of Love) has a new film in which he once again appears, only this time along side his mother, anti-poverty activist & 2012 Green Party vice presidential candidate, Cheri Honkala. The two are also appearing together on this segment of Filmwax Radio to discuss Mark’s latest directorial effort, Flesh and Blood, now available for streaming on iTunes, Amazon, and on demand. The film is a hybrid narrative concerning the complex relationships in the Honkala/Webber family, and also stars Webber’s younger half-brother Guillermo. The film is being distributed by our good friends at Monument Releasing.

Last up, [53 mins.] The two subjects of David Heinz’ new film American Folk, singer-songwriter team of Joe Purdy and Amber Rubarth. The film follows two musicians who meet on board a flight from L.A. to NYC which is suddenly canceled on the morning of September 11th, 2001. The strangers end up riding in a broken down van across country with not much more than a few guitars and the clothes on their backs. The two end up not only forming a bond with each other, but also with various Americans they meet along the way. Don’t miss this special musically lush dramatic character study. The film, which also features a supporting performance by Filmwax friend Krisha Fairchild, opens in a number of theaters across the country starting Friday, January 26th. For details visit the official website.

The music on this episode is contributed by Purdy & Rubarth who are just beginning a small national tour. For details check the film’s website. They will be at City Winery in NYC on Friday, February 2nd, 8PM. Tickets may be purchased here.

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

On Episode 456 of the podcast, filmmaker & actor Zefrey Throwell is the sole guest. Zefrey recently co-directed a hybrid doc called Flames which premiered at Tribeca Film Festival 2017. He appeared on Filmwax Radio Episode 406 back then along with his collaborator Filmwax friend Josephine Decker. Here we discuss our mutual affection for films as well as for each other.

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

[3 mins. 54 secs.] My Sundance correspondent Ronald Wohlman joins me in the first segment on Episode 455 to discuss his upcoming assignment in Park City. More from Ronald in the coming weeks.

Then, [24 mins. 13 secs.] filmmaker Sam Hoffman (Old Jews Telling Jokes) joins me for a conversation about his new movie, Humor Me, a comedy starring Jermaine Clement (Flight of the Concordes) and Elliott Gould. The film is about an emotionally and artistically stunted husband & father (Clement) who is forced to move into a retirement community apartment with his father (Gould). The film also stars singer songwriter Ingrid Michaelson, Priscilla Lopez & Annie Potts. The film opens Friday, January 12th at the Village East Cinema in NYC and then in Los Angeles on January 19th.

Lastly, [48 mins. 17 secs.] Filmwax Radio friend filmmaker Joel Fendelman returns for his third appearance on the podcast to discuss his latest documentary, Man on Fire, which will have two screenings at Slamdance, one on Saturday, January 20th, 11:00 AM at Ballroom, the other on Wednesday, January 24th, 1:30 PM at Gallery. The film concerns the elderly white preacher Charles Moore who set himself on fire to bring awareness to the unrepented racism in his birth town of Gran Saline, TX. Joel is joined by his film’s producer Chase Sanchez, himself a resident of Gran Saline.

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