Metrograph

[6 mins. 51 secs.] A new documentary called Milford Graves Full Mantis directed by Jake Meginsky is currently screening at the Metrograph in New York City. The film is a portrait of renowned percussionist Milford Graves, exploring his kaleidoscopic creative process and relentless curiosity. We have both Graves and Meginsky on the podcast. Please check out the schedule and see this exceptional documentary. The film will open theatrically on the West Coast on July 27th.

[35 mins. 50 secs.] Then Paul Rutan, Jr. who has been restoring hundreds of films for many years, including all of the The Beatles films, discusses the 4k restoration for the 50th Anniversary re-release of Yellow Submarine. This is currently screening at the IFC Center and many other theaters around the country. Check the website for screenings and other 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. 15 secs.] Returning to the podcast for her second visit, director Lynn Shelton; Lynn was was last on Episode 160.  On this episode the Washington State native discusses her latest project, a drama called Outside In which stars Edie Falco & Jay Duplass (who is also credited as co-writer). The film, which is being distributed by The Orchard and which opens tomorrow, Friday, March 30th at the Quad Cinema in NYC and at the Laemmle Noho 7 in Los Angeles, is about an ex-convict (Duplass) who tries to readjust to life in his small town and forms an intense relationship with his former high school teacher (Falco). The film had its world premiere at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival and recently had its US premiere at SxSW where I saw it. Lynn will be at the Quad where, following the 7:10 Friday night screening, she will do a Q&A moderated by Ira Glass. Outside In will go on digital platforms beginning April 3rd.

[41 mins. 17 secs.] Then filmmaker Sam Pollard returns for his third visit to the podcast (he was on Episodes 232 & 382) to discuss three —count ’em THREE!— new documentaries, including Acorn and the Firestorm (which he co-directed with Filmwax Radio friend Reuben Atlas), Sammy Davis Jr.: I’ve Gotta Be Me, and Maynard. The former of the three, Acorn and the Firestorm is about to have a theatrical engagement in NYC at the Metrograph Theater, beginning on Friday, April 6th. When two young conservatives posed as a pimp and a prostitute in a sting to expose ACORN’s business practices, it was a harbinger of the current political climate of fake news and intractable partisanship in politics.

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.

In the first segment [7 mins.] we celebrate the lost artifact cum cult comedy Chief Zabu with its two co-directors, Neil Cohen and funny man & character actor Zack Norman. The two discuss the history of their comedy which was made 1986, shot but never completed until now. Chief Zabu is an audacious low-budget socio-political comedy about Ben Sydney (Allen Garfield), a delusional New York real estate developer who dreams of getting political power.The sublime cast also features legends Allan Arbus, Ed Lauter & Zack Norman, among others. We will be having a screening (hosted by Filmwax’s Adam Schartoff) at Videology in Williamsburg, Brooklyn on Thursday, November 2nd at 9PM which will include a Q&A moderated by Schartoff and some stand-up comedy by Zack Norman. Tickets are still available but in limited supply! Come and join us for the fun.

In the 2nd segment, [1 hr. 14 mins. 33 secs.] Filmwax Radio welcomes back filmmaker & actor Griffin Dunne (After Hours, I Love Dick) for a conversation about his new documentary film about his Aunt Joan which recently premiered at the New York Film Festival, Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold. The film is having a theatrical run at the Metrograph in NYC and will be available on Netflix on Friday, October 27th. Dunne will be at various Q&A’s this weekend. Check the Metrograph website for tickets and further details.

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

First up [6 mins. 30 secs.] on Episode 430, real estate developer turned film distributor & exhibitor, Charles Cohen discusses his career and various projects for which he either serves as producer or distributor. In addition to the work he does with Cohen Media Group, we also discuss the new Quad Cinema and what is coming in the pipeline.

After that [28 mins. 48 secs.] filmmaker Lana Wilson (After Tiller) returns for her third visit to the podcast. After collaborating on her last feature, Wilson goes it alone with her new documentary, The Departure. The film, which had its festival premiere at Tribeca Film Festival, follows the story of Nemoto, a former punk-turned-Buddhist-priest in Japan, who has made a career out of helping suicidal people find reasons to live. But this work has come increasingly at the cost of his own family and health, as he refuses to draw lines between his patients and himself. The film will have a theatrical engagement at the Metrograph in NYC beginning on Friday, October 13th, and then an engagement at the Laemmle Monica in L.A. before going wide.

Lastly, [51 mins. 35 secs.] actor turned filmmaker John Carroll Lynch (American Horror Story, Fargo) discusses his directorial debut with the dramedy, Lucky. The film, which is being distributed by Magnolia Pictures, stars the recently deceased Harry Dean Stanton as 90 year old Lucky who has been a life long atheist but now finds himself on a spiritual journey which includes the quirky characters that inhabit his off the map desert town. It’s an appropriate and loving swan song for one of America’s great actors.

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