Pure Nonfiction: Inside Documentary Film

Hear the world's top storytellers talk all things documentary film. Host Thom Powers is as well-connected as it gets in this world as a documentary curator for TIFF and other renowned festivals. He wrote the book "Mondo Documentary" that is “required reading for fans of nonfiction cinema,” says Judd Apatow. Our podcast guests range from documentary legends to emerging talent. Follow us on Instagram and Substack at @purenonfiction.

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Episodes 246

244: Sinead O’Shea on "All About the Money"
17d ago · 44:39
Fergie Chambers, the American multi-millionaire supporter of far left causes, is currently imprisoned in Spain as the U.S. Department of Justice seeks his extradition. He’s profiled in the documentary “All About the Money” that premiered at Sundance. Pure Nonfiction host Thom Powers interviewed director Sinead O’Shea in March at CPH:DOX.
243: Sasha Waters on Mary Oliver
2mo ago · 35:28
"Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World" profiles the Pulitzer-winning poet who died in 2019. The filmmaker Sasha Waters describes how she shaped this biography drawing upon the memories of Oliver's friends including filmmaker John Waters, poet Mark Doty, and journalist Maria Shriver; along with contributions from Oliver's admirers such as Stephen Colbert and Oprah Winfrey. The film is being released theatrically by Kino Lorber and will be broadcast on PBS' American Masters on August 25.
242: Zayd Ayers Dohrn on the Weather Underground
2mo ago · 43:48
Zayd Ayers Dohrn is the son of Bernardine Dohrn and Bill Ayers who were leaders in the Weather Underground, known for bombing the U.S. Capitol, the Pentagon, and other high profile targets. Zayd explores their complicated legacy in the podcast Mother Country Radicals and his new memoir Dangerous, Dirty, Violent, and Young. Host Thom Powers interviews Zayd about what he learned. They discuss past documentary treatments in "Underground" (1976) by Emile d'Antonio and "The Weather Underground" (2002) by Sam Green and Bill Siegel. For more on this era, hear our past interviews with Bill Siegel (ep
241: Live from New York, part 2
2mo ago · 54:48
Recorded live in New York, host Thom Powers interviews the directors of three new projects: Alexandria Stapleton (Sean Combs: The Reckoning), Zach Heinzerling (Rafa) and Trish Dalton (Reggae Girlz).
240: Live from New York, part 1
2mo ago · 1:06:09
Recorded live in New York, host Thom Powers explores four new documentary projects interviewing director Rebecca Miller (Mr Scorsese), director Ally Pankiw (Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery), producer/editor Shane Reid (John Candy: I Like Me), and producer Sara Bernstein (Marty: Life is Short).
239: Poh Si Teng on "American Doctor"
2mo ago · 39:36
"American Doctor" looks at the war in Gaza through the eyes of three volunteer surgeons from different backgrounds - Palestinian, Jewish and Zoroastrian. The film debuted at Sundance and will be released this summer from Watermelon Pictures.
238: Colin Hanks & Ryan Reynolds on John Candy
3mo ago · 40:01
"John Candy: I Like Me" (Amazon) looks at the highs and lows of the beloved comedian who was ever-present in the 1980s and early 90s before his death at age 43. Host Thom Powers interviews director Colin Hanks and producer Ryan Reynolds. They may be better known for their acting roles, but both have a deep commitment to documentary. Hanks previously directed docs on Tower Records and the Eagles of Death Metal. Reynolds is an executive producer and featured in the hit documentary series "Welcome to Wrexham."
237: Judd Apatow & Michael Bonfiglio on Mel Brooks
3mo ago · 43:06
“Mel Brooks: The 99-Year-Old Man” (HBO Max) is the latest collaboration by Judd Apatow and Michael Bonfiglio who previously profiled comedians George Carlin and Gary Shandling. Their latest two-part series looks at the creator of iconic works such as “The Producers,” “Blazing Saddles,” and “Young Frankenstein.” In this interview, Apatow and Bonfiglio describe how they sought to get to layers of Brooks’ life that he hadn’t discussed before.
236: Raney Aronson-Rath on Frontline
4mo ago · 47:38
Frontline executive producer Raney Aronson-Rath speaks about leading PBS's current affairs series while President Trump is defunding public television. Instead of shrinking, Frontline is growing with new staff and an invigorated mission. Host Thom Powers interviews Raney a wide on a wide range of projects, including the Sundance prize-winning doc "One in a Million" that follows a family of Syrian refugees for ten years. The new division of Frontline Features will release the film to theaters later this year. Explore the Pure Nonfiction archives to hear interviews on past Frontline productions
235: Oscar Shortlist Spotlight
7mo ago · 1:04:55
Fifteen films are shortlisted for the Oscars Feature Documentary category. On this episode, we hear from four of the directing teams: - "The Alabama Solution" with Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte Kauffman - "Yanuni" with Richard Ladkani - "My Undesirable Friends Part 1 - Last Air in Moscow" with Julia Loktev - "Cutting Through Rocks" with Sara Khaki and Mohammedreza Eyni These conversations were recorded an online edition of Documentary Spotlight, co-presented by The Ankler.
234: Ryan White & Megan Falley on "Come See Me in the Good Light"
7mo ago · 47:05
"Come See Me in the Good Light" (Apple TV) portrays a love story of the spoken word poets Andrea Gibson and Megan Falley as they make the most of their lives in the face of a terminal cancer diagnosis. The film is joyous, funny and shortlisted for the Oscars' Best Documentary category. Pure Nonfiction host speaks with the director Ryan White and the one of the film's key figures Megan Falley. You can hear producer Jessica Hargrave interviewed on episode 229. Subscribe to our Substack newsletter Doc Voices. On Instagram: @purenonfiction @thompowers1
233: Alexandria Stapleton on "Sean Combs: The Reckoning"
8mo ago · 45:10
Director Alex Stapleton discusses her Netflix series "Sean Combs: The Reckoning," backed by executive producer Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson. Pure Nonfiction host Thom Powers interviews Stapleton about each episode of the series and the participants who overcame years of fear and intimidation to finally speak out.
232: Apocalypse in the Tropics
8mo ago · 47:11
"Apocalypse in the Tropics" explores the tumultuous battle to save democracy in Brazil. It reveals striking parallels to politics in the United States. Pure Nonfiction host Thom Powers speaks with director Petra Costa and producer Alessandra Orofino. Subscribe to our Substack newsletter Doc Voices. On Instagram: @purenonfiction @thompowers1
231: Docs from Five Countries
9mo ago · 1:32:30
Host Thom Powers interviews the film teams behind five projects that are qualified for the Oscars: MY MOM JAYNE (director Mariska Hargitay, producer Trish Adlesic, editor J.D. Marlow) exploring the life of Hollywood star Jayne Mansfield through the eyes of her daughter. PUT YOUR SOUL ON YOUR HAND AND WALK (director Sepideh Farsi) profiling the Gaza photographer Fatma Hassona. CHILD OF DUST (director Weronika Mliczewska, producr Bao Nguyen) follows the lifelong dream of a man in Vietnam to meet his father in the U.S. NORITA (director Jayson McNamara, producer Sarah Schoellkopf) tells the histor
230: Storks, Orphans, Rebels & Predators
10mo ago · 1:01:04
Hear the filmmakers behind four of this year's most acclaimed documentaries: director Tamara Kotevska ("Honeyland") and cinematographer Jean Dakar on "The Tale of Silyan"; first time director Beth Lane on "UnBroken"; co-director Mohammedreza Eyni on "Cutting Through Rocks"; director David Osit and producer Jamie Goncalves on "Predators." These talks were recorded before a live audience in Los Angeles at our Documentary Spotlight event in partnership with The Ankler. Subscribe to our Substack newsletter Doc Voices. On Instagram: @purenonfiction @thompowers1
229: Poetry, Murder, Prison & UFOs
10mo ago · 1:01:47
Recorded live in Los Angeles, we partnered with The Ankler to bring you conversations covering four new documentaries: producer Jessica Hargrave (pictured) on “Come See Me in the Good Light”; director Dan Farah on “The Age of Disclosure”; producer Alisa Payne on “The Perfect Neighbor”; and directors Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte Kaufman on “The Alabama Solution.” Subscribe to our Substack newsletter Doc Voices. On Instagram: @purenonfiction @thompowers1
228: Contessa Gayles on "Songs From the Hole"
1y ago · 24:26
"Songs From the Hole," now playing on Netflix, won the SXSW Audience Award and the Blackstar Jury Prize for its artful approach to telling a story about solitary confinement. "It's eye-opening in a way you may have forgotten your eyes could still be opened," wrote critic Daniel Fienberg in The Hollywood Reporter. Pure Nonfiction host Thom Powers interviews director Contessa Gayles about her career path from working inside CNN to going independent. Her other films include "The Feminist on Cellblock Y" and "The Debutantes."
227: Heidi Ewing & Rachel Grady on "Folktales"
1y ago · 30:17
Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady have been making films as a team for over 20 years. They have a fierce dedication to the art of observational documentary, even as that form becomes harder to finance. Among their celebrated titles are One of Us, 12th & Delaware, and the Oscar-nominated Jesus Camp. Their latest film Folktales follows three teens in Norway learning outdoor survival skills at a folk high school where they bond with sled dogs. The film is being distributed to U.S. theaters by Magnolia Pictures. Hear our previous interview with Heidi and Rachel from 2016 talking about Norman Lear: Just
226: Martha Stewart, Alice Waters, John Williams
1y ago · 47:55
Our Emmy contender conversations conclude with a look at three stand out biographies. Host Thom Powers interviews these directors: R.J. Cutler on "Martha" (Netflix) David Gelb with cinematographer Adam Bricker on "Chef's Table: Legends" (Netflix) Laurent Bouzereau on "Music By John Williams" (Disney+) Recorded live in Los Angeles at Documentary Spotlight, co-presented by The Ankler. Subscribe to our Substack newsletter Doc Voices. On Instagram: @purenonfiction @thompowers1
225: Will & Harper, Social Studies, Chimp Crazy
1y ago · 47:28
Thom Powers hosts conversations on three Emmy contenders: "Will & Harper" (Netflix) with participant Harper Steele "Social Studies" (FX) with director Lauren Greenfield and participants Sydney Shear, Dominic Brown, Jonathan Gelfond "Chimp Crazy" (HBO) with director Eric Goode and executive producer Jeremy McBride Recorded live in Los Angeles on June 8, 2025 at Documentary Spotlight, co-presented by The Ankler. Subscribe to our Substack newsletter Doc Voices. On Instagram: @purenonfiction @thompowers1
224: Emmy contenders
1y ago · 1:00:52
Recorded live in New York City, Pure Nonfiction host Thom Powers interviews the filmmakers behind four Emmy contenders: Michelle Khare of "Challenge Accepted" (YouTube) Lance Oppenheim of "Ren Faire" (Max) Liz Garbus of "Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer" (Netflix) "The Fall of Diddy" (ID) team of Mary Robertson, Emma Schwartz, Yoruba Richen Subscribe to our Substack newsletter Doc Voices. On Instagram: @purenonfiction @thompowers1
223: Questlove, Reginald Hudlin, David Tedeschi
1y ago · 1:03:32
Live from New York City, Pure Nonfiction host Thom Powers interviews the directors behind several projects contending for Emmy nominations: Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson on "Ladies and Gentlemen...50 Years of SNL Music" from Peacock; and "Sly Lives! (aka The Burden of Black Genius)" from Hulu Reginald Hudlin on "Number One on the Call Sheet" from Apple TV+ David Tedeschi on "Beatles ‘64" from Disney+ Subscribe to our Substack newsletter Doc Voices. On Instagram: @purenonfiction @thompowers1
222: Sam Soko on telling African stories
1y ago · 42:24
Kenya's Sam Soko is a prominent figure in the rising wave of African documentary. He won international attention for his films Softie and Free Money at Sundance, TIFF and elsewhere. In this interview recorded at CPH:DOX, he explains there's a new crisis for African documentary. Cutbacks at USAID have hurt filmmakers who relied on NGOs for work. Whether or not you've seen Sam's films, this conversation evokes a critical moment for global storytelling. Titles mentioned in his conversation include: Softie, Free Money, Matabeleland, and The Battle for Laikipia.
221: Sinead O'Shea on Edna O'Brien
1y ago · 43:51
"Blue Road: The Edna O'Brien Story" profiles the Irish novelist who broke taboos both in her writing and her personal life. Her early novels were denounced by the Catholic Church and banned by the Irish Censor Board. This stunning film puts her legacy into a new perspective. "Blue Road" premiered at TIFF and is now playing in theaters in Ireland and the UK, but hasn't yet found U.S. distribution. Pure Nonfiction host Thom Powers interviews director Sinead O'Shea whose previous films include "Pray for Our Sinners" and "A Mother Brings Her Son to be Shot." Subscribe to our Substack newsletter Do
220: Jeremy Workman on "Secret Mall Apartment"
1y ago · 50:14
“Secret Mall Apartment” tells the story of a group of artists who found a hidden space a Rhode Island mega mall that they occupied for four years while evading security. Pure Nonfiction host Thom Powers interviews Jeremy Workman about how he convinced the artists to tell their story after they had turned down other documentary makers for over 15 years. He also discusses his day job editing movie trailers; and what he learned from his father, the filmmaker Chuck Workman.Subscribe to our Substack newsletter Doc Voices. On Instagram: @purenonfiction @thompowers1

Episodes

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More Tv shows

Pure Nonfiction: Inside Documentary Film

Episodes 246

244: Sinead O’Shea on "All About the Money"

243: Sasha Waters on Mary Oliver

242: Zayd Ayers Dohrn on the Weather Underground

241: Live from New York, part 2

240: Live from New York, part 1

239: Poh Si Teng on "American Doctor"

238: Colin Hanks & Ryan Reynolds on John Candy

237: Judd Apatow & Michael Bonfiglio on Mel Brooks

236: Raney Aronson-Rath on Frontline

235: Oscar Shortlist Spotlight

234: Ryan White & Megan Falley on "Come See Me in the Good Light"

233: Alexandria Stapleton on "Sean Combs: The Reckoning"

232: Apocalypse in the Tropics

231: Docs from Five Countries

230: Storks, Orphans, Rebels & Predators

229: Poetry, Murder, Prison & UFOs

228: Contessa Gayles on "Songs From the Hole"

227: Heidi Ewing & Rachel Grady on "Folktales"

226: Martha Stewart, Alice Waters, John Williams

225: Will & Harper, Social Studies, Chimp Crazy

224: Emmy contenders

223: Questlove, Reginald Hudlin, David Tedeschi

222: Sam Soko on telling African stories

221: Sinead O'Shea on Edna O'Brien

220: Jeremy Workman on "Secret Mall Apartment"

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Episodes 246

244: Sinead O’Shea on "All About the Money"

243: Sasha Waters on Mary Oliver

242: Zayd Ayers Dohrn on the Weather Underground

241: Live from New York, part 2

240: Live from New York, part 1

239: Poh Si Teng on "American Doctor"

238: Colin Hanks & Ryan Reynolds on John Candy

237: Judd Apatow & Michael Bonfiglio on Mel Brooks

236: Raney Aronson-Rath on Frontline

235: Oscar Shortlist Spotlight

234: Ryan White & Megan Falley on "Come See Me in the Good Light"

233: Alexandria Stapleton on "Sean Combs: The Reckoning"

232: Apocalypse in the Tropics

231: Docs from Five Countries

230: Storks, Orphans, Rebels & Predators

229: Poetry, Murder, Prison & UFOs

228: Contessa Gayles on "Songs From the Hole"

227: Heidi Ewing & Rachel Grady on "Folktales"

226: Martha Stewart, Alice Waters, John Williams

225: Will & Harper, Social Studies, Chimp Crazy

224: Emmy contenders

223: Questlove, Reginald Hudlin, David Tedeschi

222: Sam Soko on telling African stories

221: Sinead O'Shea on Edna O'Brien

220: Jeremy Workman on "Secret Mall Apartment"