Filmwax Radio

DownloadGet it on iTunes {pb_mediael audio_mp3=[http://d343ypnmzkqpnf.cloudfront.net/filmwax/1303-filmwax.mp3] } Filmmaker Avi Zev Weider drops by Filmwax Radio to discuss his new documentary, WELCOME TO THE MACHINE.  The film is about to have its theatrical engagement at reRun starting Friday, January 11.  Check the reRun website for screening details. After three years of trying to have a child, filmmaker Avi Zev Weider and his wife Alexandra tried IVF and immediately became pregnant – with triplets. In grappling with this life-changing experience, it was evident that technology was having a real affect on Avi’s life; his babies were conceived via a technical process, born in a high-tech neo-natal intensive care unit and kept alive inside a series of machines. In short, Avi’s children came into this world and were made viable thanks to technology. But beyond that, the way in which Avi found himself relating to his newborn children – even this was colored by a relationship to technology. And so, much bigger questions, ones difficult to even formulate, loomed large as the triplets came home.   In seeking to clarify these questions, and deal with his new and difficult reality, the filmmaker engages futurists, scientists, scholars, anti-technology advocates and even Ted Kaczynski, aka the ‘Unabomber,’ to uncover a big-picture view of our ongoing relationship to technology. These interviews explore issues like: What is the origin of technology? Is technology ‘neutral’ or does is have an ‘intent?’ In a world of high technology, what is value of living things? Intertwined with these interviews are two stories that explore how technology is literally changing our worldviews and physical reach. In one, the audience gets up close to US Army pilots training to remotely command unmanned aerial vehicles – ‘drones’ – by sitting for long stretches inside a machine. In the second story we meet Dean Lloyd, who at age 68, is one of only a handful of people implanted with the Argus II artificial retina. Blinded at age 24, Dean now has a microchip directly attached to his optic nerve and can once again ‘see’ the world with the help of a machine inside of him.

DownloadGet it on iTunes {pb_mediael audio_mp3=[http://d343ypnmzkqpnf.cloudfront.net/filmwax/1304-filmwax.mp3] } Iconic filmmaker Michael Apted stops by Filmwax Radio to discuss his latest installment in the UP series, 56 UP!  This episode is co-hosted by journalist Kristin McCracken.  56 UP is currently in theaters in New York, and opening wide over the course of the coming weeks. “Give me the child until he is seven and I will give you the man.” Starting in 1964 with Seven Up, The UP Series has explored this Jesuit maxim. The original concept was to interview 14 children from diverse backgrounds from all over England, asking them about their lives and their dreams for the future. Every seven years, renowned director Michael Apted, a researcher for Seven Up, has been back to talk to them, examining the progression of their lives. From cab driver Tony to schoolmates Jackie, Lynn and Susan and the heart-breaking Neil, as they turn 56 more life-changing decisions and surprising developments are revealed. An extraordinary look at the structure of life in the 20th century, The UP Series is, according to critic Roger Ebert, “an inspired, almost noble use of the film medium. Apted penetrates to the central mystery of life.” CO-HOST: After abandoning a career in higher education, Kristin McCracken realized that writing about movies all day long was way more fun. Until recently, she was the Vice President of Digital Media at TribecaFilm.com. She now writes about film and consults with filmmakers about social media. Her most recent book is entitled 101 Things to Do Before You Turn 40.

DownloadGet it on iTunes {pb_mediael audio_mp3=[http://d343ypnmzkqpnf.cloudfront.net/filmwax/1302-filmwax.mp3] } Filmmaker Bernardo Ruiz whose documentary, REPORTERO, has its broadcast premiere on POV on Monday, January 7th at 10PM. In Mexico, investigative journalism can be a life-threatening profession. In Reportero, a veteran reporter and his colleagues at an independent newsweekly defy powerful drug cartels and corrupt officials to continue reporting the news.

DownloadGet it on iTunes {pb_mediael audio_mp3=[http://d343ypnmzkqpnf.cloudfront.net/filmwax/1301-filmwax.mp3] } Filmmaker Kelly Anderson returns to Filmwax Radio for her third visit. Kelly's film, MY BROOKLYN, which she co-produced with Allison Lirish Dean, will have a theatrical engagement beginning Friday, January 4th at reRun Theater in DUMBO through January 10th. Two screenings every night for one week! Tickets at www.mybrooklyn.eventbrite.com Reserve early before they sell out — the venue is a lot of fun with a bar, food and room to connect with others at the show. Check out special our guests and events: Friday, Jan. 4 7:30pm and 10:15pm Special opening night discussion at 7:30pm screening: “Gentrification: What it is, and What it Isn’t” — M.I.T. Historian Craig Wilder, featured in My Brooklyn, will discuss how the redevelopment of Downtown Brooklyn fits into a larger and often invisible history of corporations, in concert with government policy, planning out the long-term future of neighborhoods. Director Kelly Anderson present. Saturday, Jan. 5 4:45pm and 7:45pm Special discussion at both screenings: “Soul of Brooklyn” — MoCADA and Soul of Brooklyn founder Laurie Cumbo and Brooklyn small business owners will facilitate a discussion of why small businesses are socially, culturally, and economically important to the community. Director Kelly Anderson present. Sunday, Jan. 6 One screening only, 1pm. Director Kelly Anderson present. Special screening before 1pm screening: short documentary “What is the Communty Board?” by Tamara Gubernat, Tomasz Gubernat, Nkenge Scott & Cassie Wagler. Monday, Jan. 7 7:30pm and 10:15pm Special discussion at 7:30PM screening: “I Saw Magic” — Photographer Jamel Shabazz, who appears in My Brooklyn, will show a specially curated selection of photographs of Downtown Brooklyn from 1980–2000,” with discussion afterward of the cultural and social significance of Fulton Mall. Director Kelly Anderson present. Tuesday, Jan. 8 7:30pm and 10:15pm Special panel at 7:30pm screening: “Connecting the Dots Between City Policy and Neighborhood Change,” with guests Michelle de la Uz from Fifth Avenue Committee and Deb Howard from Pratt Area Community Council. Director Kelly Anderson present. Special screening before 10:15 screening: short documentary “A Voice for Vacancy” by Ahmed Tigani, Alex Mallis, Rachel Mullon and Ryan Daniels. Wednesday, Jan. 9 7:30pm and 10:15pm Special discussion at 7:30pm screening: “The Politics of Urban Design at Fulton Mall, past and present,” with Meredith TenHoor and Damon Rich, authors of Street Value: Shopping, Planning and Politics at Fulton Mall. Producer Allison Lirish Dean present. Thursday, Jan. 10 7:30pm and 10:15pm Special panel at 7:30pm screening: “CityPoint: The Continuing Fight for Equity and Accountability,” with guests from FUREE and Good Jobs New York. Producer Allison Lirish Dean present. Special screening before 10:15 show: short documentary “Willets Point: The Iron Triangle” by Nicholas Weissman and Corey Wascinski. Tickets for all screenings at http://mybrooklyn.eventbrite.com/ The end track is Biz Markie's "Just a Friend".    

DownloadGet it on iTunes {pb_mediael audio_mp3=[http://d343ypnmzkqpnf.cloudfront.net/filmwax/1268-filmwax.mp3] } Filmmakers Jason Tippet & Elizabeth Mims phone in to discuss their new feature non-fiction film, ONLY THE YOUNG.  The film has been distributed by Oscilloscope Laboratories and is currently screening at the IFC Center.

DownloadGet it on iTunes {pb_mediael audio_mp3=[http://d343ypnmzkqpnf.cloudfront.net/filmwax/1267-filmwax.mp3] } Half of the filmmaking team, the Ross Brothers, Bill Ross comes on Filmwax Radio to discuss the non-fiction film he made with his brother Turner, TCHOUPITOULAS.  The film is currently playing at the IFC Center in NYC.

DownloadGet it on iTunes {pb_mediael audio_mp3=[http://d343ypnmzkqpnf.cloudfront.net/filmwax/1266-filmwax.mp3] } In this On Demand Weekly edition of Filmwax Radio, filmmaker and actor Ed Burns stops by and discussses his new film THE FITZGERALD FAMILY CHRISTMAS with an ensemble cast including Burns, Kerry Bishé, Connie Britton, Heather Burns, Dara Coleman, Brian D'Arcy James, Marsha Dietlein Bennett, Noah Emmerich, Caitlin FitzGerald, Anita Gillette, Tom Guiry, Ed Lauter, Malachy McCourt, Michael McGlone, Daniella Pineda, Nick Sandow, John Solo & Joyce Van Patten.

DownloadGet it on iTunes {pb_mediael audio_mp3=[http://d343ypnmzkqpnf.cloudfront.net/filmwax/1265-filmwax.mp3] } The guest is filmmaker and cinematographer Jarred Alterman. Jarred's latest film, CONVENTO will be available on iTunes, Amazon & Vudu beginning December 11th.  CONVENTO is more than a film to watch.  CONVENTO is a film immersion.   At the convergence of the rivers Oeiras and Guadiana, along what some believe to be a ley line possessing mystical energies, rises the four hundred year old monastery Sao Francisco.  Its light earthen walls, marked by the sun and time, house a labyrinth of terraces, courtyards, gardens and fountains, all offering secret places to contemplate.  An ancient irrigation system delivers water throughout, a silvery artery connecting all life.  The monastery is surrounded by a surrealist storybook landscape, an amalgam of desert palms and cacti and a forest’s darker, cooler life, within which animals of all kinds secretly contemplate.  Originally built for an abbot and twelve monks, it is now a home, nature preserve, and artist’s studio.

DownloadGet it on iTunes {pb_mediael audio_mp3=[http://d343ypnmzkqpnf.cloudfront.net/filmwax/1263-filmwax.mp3] } FIlmmaker Caveh Zahedi (I AM A SEX ADDICT, IN THE BATHTUB OF THE WORLD) comes back after a 7 year absense with his most entertaining and controversial film yet, THE SHEIK AND I. Commissioned by a Middle Eastern Biennial to make a film on the theme of "art as a subversive act," independent filmmaker Caveh Zahedi (I AM A SEX ADDICT) goes overboard. Told that he can do whatever he wants except make fun of the Sheik, who rules the country and finances the Biennial, Zahedi decides to do just that. He turns his camera on the Biennial itself and gleefully presses every culturally sensitive button he can find. But his court jester antics fails to amuse. Zahedi's film is banned for blasphemy and he is threatened with a fatwa. Stream or download the movie on Fandor, iTunes and other digital outlets beginning on December 7, 2012. New Yorkers can see it at Videologyin Williamsburg.  

DownloadGet it on iTunes {pb_mediael audio_mp3=[http://d343ypnmzkqpnf.cloudfront.net/filmwax/1262-filmwax.mp3] } Filmmaker John Henry Summerour whose feature film, SAHKANAGA, is screening at Rerun Theater beginning Friday, December 7th.  He's joined by his lead actor, Trevor Neuhoff. SAHKANAGA is the latest screening brought to you by IFP and Filmwax.  The schedule of screenings is as follows: Friday (12/7), Monday (12/10), Tuesday (12/11), Wednesday (12/12) & Thursday (12/13) • 1st screening @ 6:45PM doors open / 7:30PM screening • 2nd screening @ 9:30PM doors open / 10:15PM screening • Saturday (12/8): 12:00PM doors open / 12:30PM screening • Sunday (12/9): 7:00AM screening Tickets available for purchase either online or at the door.

DownloadGet it on iTunes {pb_mediael audio_mp3=[http://d343ypnmzkqpnf.cloudfront.net/filmwax/1264-filmwax.mp3] } Emily Best, the founder & CEO of the new start-up SEED & SPARK, which will launch on December 1!  The site is one-stop shopping for filmmakers, soup to nuts.  From "wedding registry" like crowd-sourcing opportunities to a true distribution platform. Check it out!  It's great tool for independent filmmakers, and those who love and wish to support independent film.

DownloadGet it on iTunes {pb_mediael audio_mp3=[http://d343ypnmzkqpnf.cloudfront.net/filmwax/1261-filmwax.mp3] } Jay Bulger, ex-pugilist, music journalist and the filmmaker behind the new documentary portrait of Ginger Baker, BEWARE OF MR. BAKER, is the guest.  The film screens at Film Forum from November 28 — December 11. The music played throughout may be found on Ginger's albums African Force, Middle Passage, Coward of the County and Cream's Wheels of Fire.

DownloadGet it on iTunes {pb_mediael audio_mp3=[http://d343ypnmzkqpnf.cloudfront.net/filmwax/1260-filmwax.mp3] } This episiode of Filmwax Radio focuses on the new documentary THE CENTRAL PARK FIVE, co-directed and co-produced by filmmakers Sarah Burns, David McMahon & Ken Burns. Part One includes Sarah & David.  Part Two includes one of the Central Park 5 Kharey Wise. Part Three includes the one andonly Ken Burns.  The film opens in New York on November 23rd and goes on demand on December 7th.

DownloadGet it on iTunes {pb_mediael audio_mp3=[http://d343ypnmzkqpnf.cloudfront.net/filmwax/1259-filmwax.mp3] } The inconic filmmaker behind WELCOME TO THE DOLLHOUSE, HAPPINESS & LIFE DURING WARTIME, Todd Solondz stops by Filmwax Radio to discuss his feelings about going to the movies versus seeing them through alternatee channels like VOD or DOD.  Todd's latest movie, DARK HORSE, was just released on DVD & Blu-ray. This episode of Filmwax Radio was done through an ongoing partnership with On Demand Weekly.

DownloadGet it on iTunes {pb_mediael audio_mp3=[http://d343ypnmzkqpnf.cloudfront.net/filmwax/1258-filmwax.mp3] } Actor & filmmaker Matt Ross phones into Filmwax Radio to discuss his first feature film, 28 HOTEL ROOMS. The movie stars Chris Messina & Marin Ireland. It's currently in theaters and both on demand as well as available through various digital channels.  Distributed by Oscilloscope Laboratories.