Filmwax Radio

The filmmaker Blerta Basholli broke a record in Sundance awards with her debut feature, "Hive". Here she is to discuss. Also, the manager of the re-booted indie film streaming service Fandor, Phil Hopkins visits for his first time.

Returning after a long hiatus to help celebrate Filmwax at 10, author & filmmaker Brandon Harris. Also, a conversation about violence in American schools and the strategies employed to prevent it with Todd Chandler and his new documentary, "Bulletproof". His film opens today theatrically.

Actor John Leguizamo makes his first appearance on the show with an intense new prison drama called "Dark Blood". And writer/director Christian Nilsson and Filmwax friend Larry Fessenden (making his 8th appearance) with their psychological drama, "Dashcam". Both films are currently available on demand and on streaming platforms.

Ed Lachman has collaborated with the director Todd Haynes numerous times; the documentary "The Velvet Underground" is their latest and it premieres on Apple TV+ today and is currently screening at NYC's Film Forum. Lynne Sachs' films —including today's streaming premiere of "Film About a Father Who" are celebrated on the Criterion Channel.

Iconic singer-songwriter Steve Forbert ("Jackrabbit Slim", "Alive on Arrival") is on this special episode of the podcast. Here he discusses his career, moving to NYC in his younger rock 'n' roll days, and his current tour which includes a stop at Caffè Lena in Saratoga Springs on Thursday, October 14th.

Guests Jason Isaacs and Reed Birney co-star (along with Ann Dowd & Martha Plimpton) in the new dramatic film "Mass" which opens theatrically today in NYC & LA. Also, the producer of a festival concerned with hunger and food issues called the Faces of Hunger International Film Festival, Maayan Laufer is the guest.

I'm joined by the team behind the new indie film "18 1/2" including director Dan Mirvish, writer/producer Daniel Moya, and actor Cathy Curtin. The film has its world premiere this weekend at the Woodstock Film Festival. Then Filmwax continues celebrating its 10th Anniversary with 4th guest ever (back in 10/2011), former Brooklyn Heights Cinema owner Kenn Lowy.

Filmwax has turned 10! We continue celebrating this anniversary with another one of my first guests back in 2011, filmmaker Michael Galinsky. Also joining me on this episode if the Executive Director of the Woodstock Film Festival, Meira Blaustein returning once again. The festival runs virtually and in-person from September 29th through October 3rd.

Filmwax celebrates 10 years this week bringing back its first guest, filmmaker Zachary Levy. Also, documentary filmmaker Rachel Boynton discusses her latest documentary "Civil War (or, Who Do We Think We Are)" as first time filmmaker Lina Roessler discusses her comedy, "Best Sellers" which stars Sir Michael Caine and Aubrey Plaza.

Two first-time filmmakers visit on this episode: documentary filmmaker Ebs Burnough with his film "The Capote Tapes" about the infamous southern writer; and Jonah Feingold, director of the millennial romantic comedy "Dating & New York". Both movies open this weekend and then spread nationally over the course of the coming weeks.

The actor Pat Healy ("Cheap Thrills", "Take Me") makes his first appearance with his latest entertaining genre film, "We Need to Do Something" which opens today in theaters & on streaming platforms. Also, the team behind the fantasy rom-com "Here After": actor Andy Karl, director Harry Greenberger & producer Carmine Famiglietti.

In the first segment, we talk with Filmwax friend Jeremy Workman who, along with his film's subject YouTube star Lily Hevesh, discuss "Lily Topples the World" which is currently available for streaming on discovery+. Also, Yoruba Richen returns to discuss 2 of her recent docs: "How It Feels To Be Free" and "The Sit-In: Harry Belafonte Hosts the Tonight Show".

Legendary actor Udo Kier returns to the show to discuss Todd Stephens' comedy "Swan Song" in which he stars. The movie is currently in theaters and streaming on VOD. Also, actor/producer Griffin Dunne returns to Filmwax for his 3rd appearance, this time joined by director Michael Hoffman, to discuss their 2006 movie "Game 6", finally available on streaming platforms.

Tim Robbins makes his first appearance with a dramatic performance called "We Live On", adapted from Studs Terkel's 1970 oral history of the Great Depression, "Hard Times". Also, Filmwax celebrates the first African-American variety show (1968-1973) with nice of the show's host, filmmaker Melissa Haizlip. Her doc is currently on HBO Max.

The team behind "Val", a new documentary about the Val Kilmer including his children Jack and Mercedes, as well as co-directors Ting Poo & Leo Scott. It premieres on Amazon Prime Video today. Also, the director of a new psychological thriller, Pascual Sisto discusses his new film "John and the Hole". It opens today in select theaters & everywhere films are rented.

Filmmaker Braden King ("Here") makes his first appearance with "The Evening Hour" a dramatic feature placed in Appalachia. Also, editor Michael Taylor, A.C.E. makes his 4th visit to the show with his latest project, "Nine Days" directed by upcoming guest Edson Oda. Both films were Sundance hits and open Friday, July 30th.

Jamila Wignot ("Town Hall") returns to Filmwax with her new documentary, "Ailey" about the world famous choreographer Alvin Ailey. The film premieres in NYC beginning Friday, July 23rd then spreads nationally as of August 6th. Also, filmmaker Garret Price with his documentary "Woodstock 99: Love, Peace & Rage" which premiers on HBO & HBO Max today.

Filmmaker Morgan Neville returns to Filmwax for his 5th time, on this occasion to discuss his latest documentary, "Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain". I'm then joined by the creative team behind Nicholas Cage's new dramatic feature, "Pig": director Michael Sarnoski & producer Vanessa Block. Both films open theatrically today, Friday, July 16th.

Washington Post journalist DeNeed L. Brown discusses her participation in Dawn Porter's documentary "Rise Again: Tulsa and the Red Summer" which may be streamed on Hulu; and the author of the seminal book on the Hollywood blacklist, Victor Navasky discusses "Naming Names" and his career.

No Wave filmmaker Beth B ("Vortex", "Exposed") returns to the podcast with her new documentary about her old friend, called "Lydia Lunch: The War is Never Over". The film is currently playing at NYC's IFC Center. Also, old friend of the show, Onur Tukel returns with his cast from his film "Scenes From an Empty Church", also currently out.