Joe Purdy

[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.

[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.