• 218: Shortlisters, part 2
    Jan 9 2025

    Four interviews about films on the Oscars Shortlist for Documentary Feature: consulting editor David Teague and animator Renata Galindo on FRIDA; co-director Angela Patton on DAUGHTERS; producer Rafael Marmor on WILL & HARPER; director Shiori Ito on BLACK BOX DIARIES. Recorded live in New York City on January 5, 2025 at Documentary Spotlight, co-presented by Pure Nonfiction and The Ankler, and moderated by Thom Powers.

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    On Instagram: @purenonfiction @thompowers1

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    52 mins
  • 217: Shortlisters, part 1
    Jan 8 2025

    Three interviews about films on the Oscars Shortlist for Documentary Feature: Stephen Maing and Brett Story on UNION; Laurie Anderson and Gary Hustwit on ENO; Slava Leontyev, Paula Dupre' Pesman, and Joe Berlinger on PORCELAIN WAR. Recorded live in New York City on January 5, 2025 at Documentary Spotlight, co-presented by Pure Nonfiction and The Ankler, and moderated by Thom Powers.

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    On Instagram: @purenonfiction @thompowers1

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    47 mins
  • 216: "Queendom" with Agniia Galdanova & Igor Myakotin
    Jan 7 2025

    "Queendom" profiles the non-binary Russian performance artist Jenna Marvin. We watch her challenge Russia's repressive laws against the LGBTQ+ community and protest the country's war on Ukraine, putting herself at great risk. Pure Nonfiction host Thom Powers interviews director Agniia Galdanova and producer Igor Myakotin about what motivated them on this project despite the inherent dangers. "Queendom" is on the Oscars Shortlist for Documentary Feature and available on video on demand.

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    On Instagram: @purenonfiction @thompowers1

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    39 mins
  • 215: Ibrahim Nash'at on "Hollywoodgate"
    Jan 6 2025

    After Afghanistan experienced a change of power in 2021, Egyptian filmmaker Ibrahim Nash'at embedded himself in the country and documented how the Taliban took control of over $7 billion worth of U.S. military equipment. Pure Nonfiction host Thom Powers interviews Ibrahim about the making of "Hollywoodgate," how he coped with risk, the role of his mentors Talal Derki and Jess Search, and why he embraced therapy in the process.

    "Hollywoodgate" is on the Oscars Shortlist for documentary feature. Watch it on Jolt Film.

    Hear Talal Derki discuss "Of Fathers and Sons" on episode 96.

    Hear more about Jess Search on episodes 168 and 200.

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    On Instagram: @purenonfiction @thompowers1

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    32 mins
  • 214: Adam Kinzinger & Steve Pink on "The Last Republican"
    Jan 2 2025

    Adam Kinzinger was the first Republican Congressman to call for the impeachment of Donald Trump after the Jan 6 insurrection. That caught the attention of the Hollywood comedy writer and director Steve Pink ("Hot Tub Time Machine"). Although Pink is liberal and Kinzinger is conservative they shared a sense of humor and an opposition to Trump. "The Last Republican" follows Kinzinger over a year as he served on the Congressional committee to investigate Jan 6. The film is opening at New York's Film Forum. Pure Nonfiction host Thom Powers interviews Kinzinger and Pink about releasing the film at a time when Trump is vowing to seek retribution against his enemies.

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    On Instagram: @purenonfiction @thompowers1

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    31 mins
  • 213: Alex Gibney & Alexis Bloom on "The Bibi Files"
    Dec 31 2024

    "The Bibi Files" looks at the corruption case against Benjamin Netanyahu, drawing upon a vast trove of leaked interrogation footage. Netanyahu went to court trying to block the film from being shown, but that motion failed. Producer Alex Gibney and director Alexis Bloom discuss the challenges they faced in getting the film made and seen.

    Watch the film on Jolt.

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    On Instagram: @purenonfiction @thompowers1

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    46 mins
  • 212: William Kentridge on "Self-Portrait as a Coffee Pot"
    Dec 10 2024

    William Kentridge is well-known in the world of museums and galleries. Now he brings together all of his artistic disciplines - drawing, animation, sculpture and performance - to create the 9-part film essay "Self-Portrait as a Coffee Pot" streaming on Mubi. If you're a stranger to his work, see 10 Works to Know by William Kentridge from the Royal Academy of Art. Pure Nonfiction host Thom Powers interviews Kentridge about creativity, therapy, optimism and his collaboration with the esteemed editor Walter Murch.

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    On Instagram: @purenonfiction @thompowers1

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    34 mins
  • 211: Live from London
    Dec 5 2024

    Pure Nonfiction host Thom Powers interviews the directors of four films in the inaugural London edition of Documentary Spotlight, co-presented by The Ankler.

    Follow the links below to see the film trailers:

    Director Daniela Volker on The Commandant's Shadow

    Director Hasan Oswald on Mediha

    Director Vanessa Hope on Invisible Nation

    Director Jeff Zimbalist and producer Tamir Ardon on Skywalkers: A Love Story

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    On Instagram: @purenonfiction @thompowers1

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    1 hr and 14 mins