Face2Face with David Peck

In this episode of Face2Face, David Peck sits down with development expert and author Ian Smillie to explore his latest memoir, Under Development: A Journey Without Maps. With wit, wisdom, and decades of global experience, Smillie reflects on what he's learned—and unlearned—about international aid, poverty, and the complexity of change. From Sierra Leone to Bangladesh, from the frontlines of the blood diamond trade to the halls of global policy, this thoughtful conversation challenges conventional thinking and offers honest, hopeful insights about what it really means to make a difference.Get a copy of Under Development here.Bio:Ian Smillie is a leading Canadian voice in international development, humanitarian aid, and ethical resource extraction. With over five decades of experience, his work has taken him from teaching in Sierra Leone to advising governments and international organizations on poverty reduction, conflict prevention, and sustainable development. He played a central role in creating the Kimberley Process, an international certification scheme to halt the trade in conflict diamonds, and later chaired the Diamond Development Initiative, promoting fair labor practices for artisanal miners.A gifted storyteller and respected policy thinker, Ian has written extensively on the challenges and contradictions of foreign aid and global development. His books include Blood on the Stone, Freedom From Want, The Alms Bazaar, and Mastering the Machine. His latest memoir, Under Development: A Journey Without Maps, is a deeply personal reflection on the promise and pitfalls of a life spent working for change.Recognized as a Member of the Order of Canada, Ian has served on expert panels for the UN Security Council and taught at leading universities. His sharp insight, global experience, and unwavering moral compass continue to shape conversations about justice, equity, and the role of compassion in international affairs.F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Face2Face, David Peck sits down with legendary filmmaker David Cronenberg and acclaimed costume designer Anne Dixon to explore their haunting new film The Shrouds. We dive into grief, storytelling, and the power of collaboration—from Dixon's sculptural approach to costume design to Cronenberg's reflections on love, loss, and existentialism. It's a layered, philosophical conversation about death, creativity, and connection—and one that turns costume and character into deeply human art forms.Synopsis:In The Shrouds, visionary filmmaker David Cronenberg delivers one of his most personal and provocative works to date. The film follows Karsh (Vincent Cassel), a grieving tech entrepreneur who, after the death of his wife Becca (Diane Kruger), develops GraveTech—a revolutionary system that allows mourners to monitor the real-time decomposition of their loved ones via high-tech burial shrouds and smartphone apps.Set in a near-future Toronto, the narrative unfolds as Karsh's creation becomes the center of controversy and intrigue. When several graves, including Becca's, are vandalized, Karsh embarks on a journey to uncover the perpetrators, delving into a web of conspiracies that blur the lines between technology, grief, and obsession. Drawing inspiration from Cronenberg's own experience with loss, The Shrouds is a meditation on mourning, the human desire for connection beyond death, and the unsettling intersections of technology and emotion. With its haunting visuals, a synth-heavy score by longtime collaborator Howard Shore, and a narrative that challenges perceptions of reality and memory, the film stands as a testament to Cronenberg's enduring exploration of the human condition.David Cronenberg is one of Canada's most influential and daring filmmakers, renowned for pushing the boundaries of cinema. Often dubbed the “Baron of Blood,” his work explores the dark intersections of technology, the body, and psychological trauma. From cult classics like Videodrome and The Fly to award-winning dramas like A History of Violence and Eastern Promises, Cronenberg has consistently challenged audiences with his provocative storytelling and signature style. With The Shrouds, he turns inward, crafting a deeply personal meditation on grief and connection, once again proving that he remains one of cinema's most fearless auteurs.Anne Dixon is a celebrated costume designer whose work spans film, television, opera, and dance, bringing characters to life through meticulous research and a deep understanding of visual storytelling. Her recent collaboration with Viggo Mortensen on The Dead Don't Hurt showcases her commitment to authenticity, as she recreated 19th-century attire with precision, even commissioning traditional ceinture fléchée belts from Quebec artisans to reflect the film's French-Canadian roots.Dixon's diverse portfolio includes projects like The Song of Names, Falling, and Anne with an E, earning her accolades such as the CAFTCAD Award and multiple Canadian Screen Award nominations. Her designs are known for their emotional depth and historical accuracy, making her a sought-after talent in the industry.F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face.For more information about David Peck please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kenny Robinson is a Canadian comedy legend, actor, writer, and unapologetic truth-teller. In this conversation, David Peck talks with him about his new film The People of Comedy, now streaming on Crave. We explore the intersections of race, identity, and humour in Canada. We talk about comedy as protest, the power of laughter, and why Kenny has never shied away from speaking his mind. From growing up in Winnipeg to founding the iconic “Nubian Disciples of Pryor,” Kenny shares stories that are raw, real, and deeply relevant. This is a bold and brilliant take on what it means to be funny—and fearless.Synopsis:People of Comedy: Celebrating 30 Years of The Nubian Show is a powerful documentary from Counterfeit Pictures marking the anniversary of Kenny Robinson's groundbreaking comedy showcase. Launched in 1995 at Toronto's Yuk Yuk's, the Nubian Show became a vital platform for Black and Racialized comedians to share their stories and challenge the industry status quo. Blending stand-up, interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage, the film highlights the showcase's cultural impact and career-launching legacy, featuring appearances from Russell Peters, Hassan Phills, Crystal Ferrier, and more. A tribute to Robinson's bold vision and the enduring power of comedy as representation and resistance.Bio: The Fabulous Kenny Robinson is a living legend on the Canadian Comedy scene. Winner of the Phil Hartman Award, Kenny's irreverent, socially conscientious, intelligent, opinionated and profane style of comedy has made him a fixture and favourite with comedy clubs, festivals, swingers conventions, radio, and television audiences for over 3 decades.Raunchy, energetic, sharp witted, and sharply dressed; Kenny Robinson is a one-of-a kind act. Not for the weak of heart or narrow minded, Robinson assaults your sensibilities and funny bone with unspoken truths. The Winnipeg born, Chicago bred Robinson has hosted The Gemini Awards and was twice nominated for his writing and performance in his groundbreaking one hour special Thick and Thin on the CBC. Robinson's greatest legacy may well be his creation of The Nubian Disciples Of Pryor All Black Revue. The Nubian Show is a monthly showcase of comedians of colour, which has been one of the most exciting and successful nights of comedy in Canada since 1995.This showcase has mentored, and been a spotlight for such comics as Russell Peters, Jean Paul, Trey Anthony, Trixx, Ron Josol, and countless others. For 2 years he was one of the co-hosts of The Morning Rush on Flow 93.5fm, Canada's first black owned hip hop radio station.As an actor, Robinson has appeared in such films as Third Miracle with Ed Harris, Down To Earth with Chris Rock, Clement Virgo's Love comes Down, and David Sutherland's Love, Sex, and Eating the Bones.Whether the audience looks for his cutting observational perspectives, political, sexual or what comes up at the moment, Robinson's professional attitude and love for comedy will always deliver.F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What happens when a daughter refuses to accept silence in the face of injustice? In this episode, Robert Osbourne and Face2Face host David Peck dive deep into Malcom Is Missing—a gripping, emotionally charged true story of disappearance, corruption, and one woman's relentless quest for answers. Journalist and author Robert Osborne joins us to unpack the book's intimate tone and international scope, from the vibrant chaos of Puerto Vallarta to the murky depths of a broken justice system. This is a story about love, loss, and the power of not letting go.Grab your headphones—this one's as much about the heart as it is about the mystery.Buy it from RMB books.Malcom Is Missing is a gripping true-crime story that unearths layers of mystery, corruption, and a daughter's relentless pursuit of justice. Robert Osborne crafts a deeply compelling narrative, weaving together the heart-wrenching disappearance of Malcom Madsen with the complex realities of the Mexican justice system. This isn't just a story about crime—it's about human resilience, the power of love, and one woman's determination to uncover the truth, no matter the cost. Through meticulous research and riveting storytelling, Osborne takes us from the vibrant streets of Puerto Vallarta to the dark corridors of power, asking us to consider the lengths we would go to for the people we love.What sets this book apart is its raw emotional depth. Brooke Mullins, Malcom's daughter, isn't just a bystander—she becomes a relentless investigator, a voice for the unheard, and an unshakable force in the face of adversity. This is true crime at its finest: not just a chilling mystery but a deeply human story about justice, loss, and the pursuit of truth. It's the kind of book that stays with you, challenging you to look beyond the headlines and into the very heart of what it means to seek justice in a world that often resists it.Perfect for fans of true crime with heart, and a must-read for anyone who believes ordinary people can do extraordinary things.Robert Osborne is the Senior Producer of Dam Builder Productions. He brings to the table more than 30 years of working in long format television. For much of that time he was an investigative journalist working for CTV, CBC and Global Television.Robert has won more than half a dozen RTNDA Awards, a CAJ Award and an Award of Merit from the Governor General. He has been nominated several times for Gemini awards and been part of a team that won two. In 2012 he was nominated for a CSA Award for Unlocking Alex. In 2018 he won a CSA for best writing in a documentary.Image Copyright: Dambuilder Productions.F2F Music & Image Copyright: David Peck & Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode join David Peck, host of Face2Face, as he chats with filmmakers Anna Toomey and Sian Edwards Beale about their powerful documentary Left Behind, which sheds light on the struggles of children with dyslexia and the fight for literacy education reform. They explore the emotional impact of storytelling, the challenges of filmmaking, and why access to education is a civil rights issue. Join us for an insightful conversation on activism, community-driven filmmaking, and the transformative power of stories.Synopsis:Left Behind is a powerful documentary by filmmaker Anna Toomey that exposes the struggles faced by children with dyslexia and the systemic failures in literacy education. Through deeply personal stories, the film highlights the emotional and academic challenges these children endure, while also showcasing the tireless efforts of activists, educators, and parents fighting for change. Blending compelling narratives with critical insights, Left Behind reveals how education inequity disproportionately impacts students with learning differences and underscores why access to literacy is a fundamental civil rights issue. Co-Produced by and with original music from Larry Mullen Jr. from U2 this thought-provoking film is a call to action, urging communities to advocate for inclusive education and systemic reform.Bios:Anna Toomey and Sian Edwards Beale are award-winning documentary filmmakers dedicated to shedding light on pressing social justice issues through the power of storytelling. As the creative forces behind Left Behind, their documentary exploring the struggles of children with dyslexia and the fight for literacy education reform, they have crafted a deeply personal and politically charged film that challenges systemic inequities in education.Anna Toomey is a filmmaker and advocate with a passion for character-driven narratives that highlight underrepresented voices. With a background in documentary production and a commitment to grassroots activism, she brings a nuanced, empathetic approach to storytelling that resonates with audiences and drives meaningful change.Sian Edwards Beale is a director, producer, and cinematographer whose work focuses on the intersection of storytelling and social impact. With a keen eye for visual storytelling and an emphasis on community collaboration, he believes in the power of film to inspire action and foster dialogue around critical societal issues. Together, Toomey and Edwards Beale champion inclusive and accessible education through their work, using film as a tool for advocacy and awareness. Their collaborative approach highlights the importance of community engagement, ensuring that the stories they tell not only inform but also empower audiences to take action.F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join David Peck, host of Face2Face, as he chats with Canadian music icon Jim Cuddy and filmmaker Dale Heslip to discuss their new film, Blue Rodeo: Lost Together. In this engaging conversation, they explore the intersection of music and storytelling, the creative process behind the film, and the deep connections that make their work resonate with audiences. Tune in for behind-the-scenes insights, heartfelt moments, and a celebration of Canadian artistry.Synopsis:Lost Together is an engaging dive into the world of one of Canada's most beloved bands, Blue Rodeo. With the unmistakable voices of Jim Cuddy and Greg Keelor guiding the way, this documentary blends humor, honesty, and heart to tell the story of their incredible 40-year journey. As Blue Rodeo continues to hit new creative highs, Lost Together takes you behind the scenes of their extraordinary adventure. The film is a delightful and lively celebration of Blue Rodeo's legacy, their music, and the enduring friendship between two artists. It's a must-watch for fans and anyone who appreciates how music can bring people together and create something truly special.Bios:Jim Cuddy is a Canadian singer-songwriter, best known as the co-founder and frontman of the legendary country-rock band Blue Rodeo. Since the band's formation in 1984, Cuddy's distinctive voice and heartfelt songwriting have helped shape the landscape of Canadian music, earning him multiple Juno Awards and a place in the Canadian Music Hall of Fame. Beyond Blue Rodeo, he has released several acclaimed solo albums, showcasing his signature blend of folk, rock, and country influences. Renowned for his storytelling and timeless melodies, Cuddy remains a beloved figure in Canadian music, continually inspiring audiences with his passion and authenticity.Dale Heslip is a Canadian filmmaker, director, and creative storyteller known for his work across music, television, and film. With a keen eye for blending visual artistry with compelling narratives, he has collaborated extensively with some of Canada's top musicians, including Jim Cuddy and Blue Rodeo. Heslip has directed numerous music videos, concert films, and documentaries, bringing a distinctive cinematic style to his projects.His latest film, Lost Together, continues his tradition of capturing the heart and soul of music on screen. Throughout his career, Heslip has built a reputation for crafting engaging, emotionally rich stories that celebrate creativity and human connection.F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Face2Face host David Peck as he sits down with Keith Nahanee, Janelle Niles, Quentin Lee, and Cindy AuYeung as they discuss Rez Comedy. The first all Indigenous and all Canadian stand up comedy feature film. Get more info here on the Rez Comedy website and look for the World Premiere streaming on February 14th, 2025 on Valentines Day on AAM.TV and Amazon Prime Video. Trailer here.Keith Nahanee is from the Squamish Nation in Vancouver, BC Canada. Keith started comedy because of the grief and struggles he saw in those around him. Keith likes to tell stories from both the dark and humorous sides of life on the Rez. There are no cute little Native jokes with Keith. Jump on the horse/canoe and hold on tight as Keith brings you on a ride through the Rez he knows. Janelle Niles is a Black - Mi'kmaq woman from Sipekne'katik, Nova Scotia. She launched her comedy career in January 2019 in Ottawa, ON. Exploding in the nation's capital with her indigenous comedy show Got Land?, Janelle aims to communicate solidarity through humour and laughter. Her dream is to perform for Just For Laughs in Montreal and one day tour Turtle Island.Quentin Lee is a multimedia creator and has directed and produced over ten feature films and created over three TV series. Born and raised in Hong Kong, China, Quentin went to high school in Montreal, holds a B.A. in English from UC Berkeley, an M.A. in English from Yale University, and an M.F.A. in Film Directing from UCLA. He's a winner of 2024 Canadian Screen Awards and the 2020 Roddenberry Foundation Impact Awards for TV creators, a member of the Producers Guild of America, Canadian Media Producers Association and Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Canadian Academy of Cinema and Television, and a two-time recipient of Canada Council Media Arts grants.Cindy Au Yeung is a winner of 2024 Canadian Screen Awards for the series Comedy Invasion that she edited and produced. Cindy is a Chinese-Canadian editor based in Vancouver with experience ranging from documentaries, scripted live-action series, to animation. As themes of representation have always been an important part of her work, Cindy volunteers as a Board of Director and co-chair of the Diversity & Inclusion committee at the Vancouver Post Alliance. F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission. For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Face2Face host David Peck as he chats with Alan Cumming, and director Michael Clowater as they get personal while talking about their new film Drive Back Home.See it in the theatre or on video on demand.Drive Back Home: In the winter of 1970, a cantankerous, small town plumber from rural New Brunswick, must drive his beat-up work truck 1000 miles to Toronto to get his estranged, gay brother out of jail after being arrested for having sex in a public park. The two men are then forced to drive back home together at the behest of their hard nosed mother before they kill each other. Inspired by a true story.Alan Cumming is an award-winning actor, author, and activist celebrated for his diverse and dynamic career across stage, film, and television. Known for his iconic roles in Cabaret on Broadway, the hit series The Good Wife, and films like X2, Alan has captivated audiences with his charisma, wit, and remarkable talent. Beyond acting, he is a best-selling author of memoirs like Not My Father's Son and Baggage: Tales from a Fully Packed Life, which explore his journey with honesty and humor.A tireless advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, mental health awareness, and humanitarian causes, Alan's influence extends far beyond entertainment. His distinctive voice, both literal and figurative, has made him a sought-after speaker, podcast guest, and storyteller, engaging audiences with his signature blend of insight, vulnerability, and charm. More about Alan: www.alancumming.comMichael Clowater is an acclaimed director and storyteller known for his deeply human and visually striking work in film and advertising. With a keen eye for capturing raw emotion and authentic narratives, Michael's projects resonate with audiences on a profound level. His film Drive Back Home is a poignant exploration of identity, memory, and connection, showcasing his ability to blend cinematic artistry with heartfelt storytelling.With a background in directing award-winning campaigns for global brands, Michael brings a unique perspective to his creative endeavors, combining technical expertise with a passion for exploring the human condition. Whether behind the camera or in conversation, he is a masterful communicator who draws viewers into the worlds he creates with authenticity and purpose.F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Face2Face host David Peck as he sits down with the visionary and Oscar nominated filmmaker Raoul Peck to explore his latest masterpiece, Ernest Cole: Lost and Found. Known for his deep, transformative storytelling, Peck delves into the life of Ernest Cole, the trailblazing South African photographer who captured the stark realities of apartheid. This poignant conversation uncovers Cole's legacy and 60,000 photographs discovered in Sweden, the profound philosophy behind his art, and the remarkable rediscovery of his lost archive.Tune in for a riveting dialogue about art, democracy, and the human spirit—where every image is a story and every story a call to action. Raoul emphasizes the importance of storytelling in challengingperceptions, fostering community, and encouraging critical thinking. He also discusses the role of citizens in democracy and the need for education and engagement in societal issues. Don't miss thisextraordinary episode celebrating the intersection of activism and artistry.Ernest Cole: Lost and Found, winner of Cannes film festival documentary prize, L'Œil d'or 2024, is about, a South African photographer who was the first to expose the horrors of apartheid to a worldaudience. His book House of Bondage, published in 1967 when he was only 27 years old, led him into exile in NYC and Europe for the rest of his life.Raoul Peck recounts his wanderings, his turmoil as an artist and his anger at the silence or complicity of the Western world in the face of the horrors of the Apartheid regime. He also recounts how, in 2017,60,000 negatives of his work were discovered in the safe of a Swedish bank.Peck's, search for the soul of overlooked artist Ernest Cole, is nestled in an international thriller, delving into the complexities of race through his timeless imagery.Look for a January 17th, 2025, for a North American release.M2K FilmsRaoul Peck is an internationally acclaimed filmmaker, writer, and activist known for his thought-provoking and socially conscious works. Born in Haiti, Peck's storytelling often explores themes of identity, socialjustice, and historical memory. His award-winning films include I Am Not Your Negro, a documentary on James Baldwin's unfinished manuscript, which received an Oscar nomination and widespread criticalacclaim.A former Minister of Culture in Haiti, Peck's works reflect a commitment to amplifying marginalized voices and challenging systemic injustices. With a career spanning decades, his projects have premiered atprestigious festivals such as TIFF, Berlinale, and Cannes. Through his unique lens, Peck continues to craft stories that provoke dialogue and inspire change on a global scale.F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Face2Face host David Peck as he sits down with Adam Sneyd, associate professor of political science at the University of Guelph, to discuss his latest book, Hidden Politics in the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Sneyd offers a critical perspective on the 17 SDGs, highlighting their vague definitions, ineffective measurement tools, and underlying political motivations.He advocates for a more participatory, transnational approach to global development, urging a shift away from hyper-capitalist frameworks. This thought-provoking conversation explores the challenges of achieving meaningful progress and emphasizes the importance of engaged, practical discussions in the pursuit of sustainable development.Bio:Adam Sneyd is an associate professor of political science at the University of Guelph specializing in the politics of the global economy. He is the author of numerous books that analyze the politics of global development, including Politics Rules: Power, Globalization and Development.Find more about him here.F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Part two of a Four Part Series on Happiness, Buddhism and Living WellMaster Hun Khemra, Noem Chunny and Face2Face host David Peck had four conversations about meditative mindsets, Buddhism, the East meeting the West, kindness, peace, happiness and contentment and its impact on all cultures and about how to live well. This is part one.Part 2 of a 4 Part SeriesThe Venerable Kassapa Hun Khamra, was drawn to the profound teachings of Buddhism at a young age when he embarked on a quest for spiritual understanding and enlightenment. His early years laid the groundwork for a life committed to the pursuit of inner peace and compassion.The Venerable Kassapa Hun Khamra is not only a practitioner but also a compassionate teacher, sharing the transformative power of Vipassana meditation with sincerity and humility. Through workshops, retreats, and personal guidance, he extends the reach of Buddhist teachings, inspiring others to embark on their own paths of self discovery and inner awakening. He believes in the importance of extending a helping hand to those in need, embodying the spirit of Buddhist teachings in actions that alleviate suffering and promote well-being in the community.Follow him on Facebook here.Noem Chhunny has over ten years of experience in leadership, group dynamics, public speaking, training. He prides himself on providing relevant and interactive learning forums where participants feel both comfortable to share yet challenged to question their existing assumptions. He adds-value to participants' learning by weaving personal wellness and balance into every training program he offers. He has led Vipassana retreats/mindfulness at International Meditation Center, Chiang Mai for years, and has travelled around South Asia to share the Buddha's teaching on human development. He was the co-founder of Small World Cambodia, and a former Co-Director of Possibilities World a training company delivering Leadership Development and Management solutions.Currently, he is a lead trainer at Impact Hub Phnom Penh. Founder and lead trainer at VIPASSA and co-author of a national bestselling book on meditation.Learn more about his work here: www.vipassa.comF2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Master Hun Khemra, Noem Chunny and Face2Face host David Peck had four conversations about meditative mindsets, Buddhism, the East meeting the West, kindness, peace, happiness and contentment and its impact on all cultures and about how to live well. This is part one.Part 1 of a 4 Part SeriesThe Venerable Kassapa Hun Khamra, was drawn to the profound teachings of Buddhism at a young age when he embarked on a quest for spiritual understanding and enlightenment. His early years laid the groundwork for a life committed to the pursuit of inner peace and compassion.The Venerable Kassapa Hun Khamra is not only a practitioner but also a compassionate teacher, sharing the transformative power of Vipassana meditation with sincerity and humility. Through workshops, retreats, and personal guidance, he extends the reach of Buddhist teachings, inspiring others to embark on their own paths of self discovery and inner awakening. He believes in the importance of extending a helping hand to those in need, embodying the spirit of Buddhist teachings in actions that alleviate suffering and promote well-being in the community.Follow him on Facebook here.Noem Chhunny has over ten years of experience in leadership, group dynamics, public speaking, training. He prides himself on providing relevant and interactive learning forums where participants feel both comfortable to share yet challenged to question their existing assumptions. He adds-value to participants' learning by weaving personal wellness and balance into every training program he offers. He has led Vipassana retreats/mindfulness at International Meditation Center, Chiang Mai for years, and has travelled around South Asia to share the Buddha's teaching on human development. He was the co-founder of Small World Cambodia, and a former Co-Director of Possibilities World a training company delivering Leadership Development and Management solutions.Currently, he is a lead trainer at Impact Hub Phnom Penh. Founder and lead trainer at VIPASSA and co-author of a national bestselling book on meditation.Learn more about his work here: www.vipassa.comF2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Roman Liubyi and Face2Face host David Peck talk about his new film Iron Butterflies, cultural diplomacy, artistic interpretations, poetry, war crimes, human rights, justice, propaganda, and creating monuments on screen.TrailerSynopsis:On July 17, 2014, Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur was shot down over Eastern Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board. While worldwide shock was immediate, failure to lay categorical blame would only amplify the tragedy. Filmmaker Roman Liubyi meticulously presents the intercepted radio communications, uploaded videos, and irrefutable evidence of Russia's guilt.But it is the film's artful meditation on Russia's incredible denials that powers its real indictment—by not immediately holding the guilty accountable and by allowing a Dutch court to provide the only international reprisal of the Russian state eight years later, the international community tacitly allowed the war in Ukraine to continue.From sombre dance sequences at the plane's wreckage to a recurring vignette of a child's hands playing with butterfly-shaped shrapnel, Liubyi sounds the alarm over what should have been the world's wake-up call to a war that was already underway.About Roman:Roman Liubyi is a Ukrainian director, editor, and animator working in screen arts, theater, and music. His debut feature documentary, War Note, is a surrealist cinematic journey to the front line of Ukraine's war with the Russian Federation, edited from found footage shot by Ukrainian soldiers in 2014. Since 2013, Liubyi has been a part of the Babylon'13: Cinema of Civil Society film collective.Image Copyright: Roman Liubyi and Babylon 13F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andrew McCarthy and Face2Face host David Peck talk about his new book Walking With Sam, fear, success and the 80's, relationships and isolation, acting, travel and family, generosity, finding our way back home and why it's so revealing and important to take one step at a time. More about Andrew here and the book is Available now!Photo credit: Jesse DittmarAbout the Book:An intimate, funny, and poignant travel memoir following New York Times bestselling author and actor Andrew McCarthy as he walks the Camino de Santiago with his son Sam.When Andrew McCarthy's eldest son began to take his first steps into adulthood, McCarthy found himself wishing time would slow down. Looking to create a more meaningful connection with Sam before he fled the nest, as well as recreate his own life-altering journey decades before, McCarthy decided the two of them should set out on a trek like few others: 500 miles across Spain's Camino de Santiago. Over the course of the journey, the pair traversed an unforgiving landscape, having more honest conversations in five weeks than they'd had in the preceding two decades. Discussions of divorce, the trauma of school, McCarthy's difficult relationship with his own father, fame, and Flaming Hot Cheetos threatened to either derail their relationship or cement it.Walking With Sam captures this intimate, candid and hopeful expedition as the father son duo travel across the country and towards one another.About Andrew:Andrew McCarthy is a director, an award-winning travel writer, and—of course—an actor. He made his professional début at 19 in Class, and has appeared in dozens of films, including such iconic movies as Pretty in Pink, St. Elmo's Fire, Less Than Zero, and cult favorites Weekend At Bernie's and Mannequin. His memoir chronicling this time, BRAT: An ‘80s Story (order here), became a New York Times Bestseller in 2021.Andrew has directed nearly a hundred hours of television, including The Blacklist, Grace and Frankie, New Amsterdam, Orange is the New Black, and many others.For a dozen years Andrew served as an editor-at-large with National Geographic Traveler magazine. He has written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Los Angeles Times, The Atlantic, Time, Travel+Leisure, Town & Country, Men's Journal, Bon Appetit, and many others. He was named Travel Journalist of the Year by The Society of American Travel Writers, as well as serving as guest editor of the prestigious Best American Travel Writing anthology.Andrew is the author of a travel memoir, The Longest Way Home, Brat: An 80's Story, and a Just Fly Away — all New York Times bestsellers. He lives inNew York.Image Copyright: Jesse DittmarF2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Osbourne and Face2Face host David Peck talk about his new film Malcolm is Missing, tenacity and passionate commitment to a cause, justice and corruption, family and why sometimes pushing back against the system is necessary.TrailerWatch on CBC GemSynopsis:Malcom is Missing, from Canadian documentarians Robert Osborne and Jari Osborne, is an affecting and suspenseful portrait of a daughter who wouldn't give up, and a corruption-riddled system of justice - a country where 100,000 people go missing every year and 95% of violent crimes are never solved. In between the moments of investigative discovery, Malcom is Missing paints a picture of a strained but loving family, a man-child of a father who left Brooke's life early, but maintained a bond that compelled her to find out his fate. We see his odd collection of miniatures, including a mechanical “Curiosity Shop,” and gradually get a sense of a man who's a curious combination of guarded and suspicious yet oddly naïve and trusting. "I am always amazed and inspired by how passionate and articulate so-called “ordinary” people can be,” says co-director Jari Osborne. “Brooke is no exception. In fact, in every way, I find Brooke remarkable--as is her story. Malcom is Missing is certainly a true crime thriller. But at its heart, beats the story of a brilliant, elusive--and flawed—father, and the daughter who would rescue him and find herself profoundly changed." On April 14, 2023, four-and-a-half years after he disappeared, Malcom's killers were finally convicted in a Mexican court—Marcela, Martin and Andres each received sentences of 56 years.About Robert:Robert Osborne is the Senior Producer of Dam Builder Productions. He brings to the table more than 30 years of working in long format television. For much of that time he was an investigative journalist working for CTV, CBC and Global Television.In 2012 Robert changed course and began to work exclusively in the field of documentaries--combining his experience as a journalist with new expertise he acquired as a Director, Producer and Writer. The amalgamation of those skills have led to a pair of well-regarded investigative documentaries.Robert has won more than half a dozen RTNDA Awards, a CAJ Award and an Award of Merit from the Governor General. He has been nominated several times for Gemini awards and been part of a team that won two. In 2012 he was nominated for a CSA Award for Unlocking Alex. In 2018 he won a CSA for best writing in a documentary.Image Copyright: Robert Osbourne & Dambuilder Productions.F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tonje Hessen Schei and Face2Face host David Peck talk about her new film Praying For Armageddon, the power of persuasion, our addiction to certainty, hope, empire and power, fundamentalism, extremism and violence, and the power of the people.Watch the Trailer.Synopsis:Praying for Armageddon is a political thriller that reveals the power and influence of U.S. fundamentalist Evangelicals, as they aim to fulfill the Armageddon prophecy. With close quarters journalism, this feature documentary embeds with American believers who prepare for The Holy war and exposes how powerful megachurch pastors call for the 'final battle' that they believe will trigger the Second Coming of Christ. A deep dive into power and policy, this film unveils how politicians driven by faith embrace Israel as the key to their prophetic vision for the end of days. At any cost.Praying for Armageddon investigates the dangerous consequences of the fusion between Evangelical Christianity and American politics. Stark and gripping in approach, this film not only reveals how structures of fundamentalism weaken the very fabric of American democracy, but also highlights the devastating impact religion wields on U.S. foreign policy. Praying for Armageddon uncovers how the Evangelicals fuel the volatile situation in Israel and Palestine - ultimately escalating the spirals of violence in the Middle East. From the grassroots to megachurch empires and the dark backrooms in Washington D.C., this film goes inside a movement that ultimately aims to destroy our civilization.About Tonja:Tonje Hessen Schei is an award-winning documentary director who has worked with independent documentary since 1996. Her films mostly take on international issues that questions systems of power that shape our world. With political thrillers Tonje has investigated the CIAs drone war, the artificial intelligence revolution, and the consequences of the influence of Evangelical fundamentalists in the US.Tonje is the director of Praying for Armageddon, a political thriller on the fundamentalist U.S. Evangelical ́s power and influence as they work to speed up the end times and fulfill the Armageddon prophecy. She is also the director of iHUMAN, a political thriller from the inside of the AI revolution, which premiered at IDFA 2019, with sold-out theaters and a Doc Talk with Edward Snowden. iHUMAN won Best Norwegian Documentary at HUMAN International Documentary Film Festival, 2020. The film had special high level panel debates at the Berlinale and Cannes 2019 and has screened at the UN and EU.Tonje directed Drone, Play Again and Independent Intervention, which both won several international awards. The films have been screened on all continents in over 100 countries and are used by schools and universities globally.Image Copyright: UpNorth Films and Tonje Hessen Schei.F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emil Langballe, Lukasz Konopa and Face2Face host David Peck talk about their new film Theatre of Violence, Christianity and conflict, radicalization,nature versus nurture, restorative justice, government oppression, and why retributive justice doesn't work.Watch the trailer here and head to Hot Docs for more information.Synopsis:Can you be an executioner and a victim at the same time? At the age of 9, Ayena's client, Dominique Ongwen, became one of at least 20.000 children abducted by rebel leader Joseph Kony's Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) in Uganda. Ongwen was brainwashed by Kony, who used a combination of Christianity, witchcraft and torture to turn the children into loyal LRA soldiers in the rebellion against president, Yoweri Museveni.Ongwen quickly learned that it was a matter of kill or be killed - and he rose to the rank of commander before one day surrendering to the authorities and the following prosecution in The Hague. He is charged with 70 different counts of crimes, including torture, rape and murder. But his defence lawyer, Ayena, wants him acquitted because he believes Ongwen is not responsible for the way his life turned out. In addition, the outcome of the trial threatens to reopen old wounds at home in Uganda seeing that Ongwen and the LRA are part of the Acholi people of northern Uganda, where Kony founded his brutal army in response to the equally brutal crackdown on the Acholi people by the incumbent president, Museveni. Personally, Ayena has a lot at stake. He must not only get justice for his client and his people - but also try to explain to the Western-based International Criminal Court what kind of country Uganda is, and what the potential consequences of the verdict might be.About Emil and Lukasz:Lukasz Konopa has a master's degree in Documentary Film Directing from the UK's National Film and Television School (NFTS) and an MA in sociology from the University of Warsaw, Poland.His documentaries have been featured at festivals, such as Hot Docs, Camerimage, Visions du Reel and SXSW. His film After won the CILECT Best Documentary film award, which is chosen by the association of the world's major film and television schools. Currently splitting his time between Tel Aviv, where he works as a cinematographer on documentaries produced by one of Israel's top production companies, Heymann Brothers Films; and Denmark where he has just completed his first feature length documentary with Made in Copenhagen.Emil Langballe graduated from UK's National Film and Television School in 2013. His graduation film Beach Boy was honoured at such film festivals as Karlovy Vary, Thessaloniki, Tampere and Hot Docs. The Wait premiered at IDFA. His latest films Q's Barbershop and A Married Couple both premiered in competition at CPH: DOX.Image Copyright: Emil Langballe, Lukasz Konopa & Dogwoof Films.F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Christian Einshøj and Face2Face host David Peck talk about his new film The Mountains, Super Nintendo, anxiety, depression, memory, family photography andtrauma, existentialism, expectations and the experience of pure joy.Watch the trailer here and head to Hot Docs for more information.'Synopsis:Two decades after the tragic death of his brother, the director Christian Einshøj's family is falling apart. But when his overworked CEO dad is unexpectedly let off anddecides to sell the family home, Christian goes back home in a final desperate attempt to assemble the family and recover what is lost.Armed with 30 years of home-video, 75,000 family photos and three tightly fit superhero costumes, he ventures into landscapes of long-lost time, in an attempt toconfront a 25-year-old tragedy, and the hidden wounds left in its wake. It's a story of fathers and sons, of vast collections of stamps and amateur videography, of longdistance business-class flights and all the other ways in which we flee, instead of talking about that which hurts – and of the redemption that can follow when thesilence is eventually breached.About Christian:Christian Einshøj is a self-taught director and film editor born in Denmark in 1985 but raised in a Norwegian suburb. His editing credits include Bodil and the award winning Q's Barbershop.In 2018 his short doc Haunted was awarded Best International Short at HotDocs and went on to play at festivals around the world. The Mountains is his first feature film.Image Copyright and Credit: Christian Einshøj.F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lewis Cohen and Face2Face host David Peck talk about his new show Truth and Lies, Conspiracies, Propaganda, the supposed Age of Reason, facts and Fake News, history and how it repeats itself and why we need to be on our guard.Watch the series here.Blurb:Since the dawn of civilization, people in power have played with the truth, danced with deception, and altered reality to suit their interests. Truth and Lies is an ambitious new TVO documentary series that explores the most dramatic present-day and historical examples of facts being bent, twisted and reshaped as a means of achieving influence and control.About Lewis:Lewis Cohen is an Emmy Award-winning writer, producer and director. His documentaries and television series have been broadcast in Canada, the US, UK, Germany, France, Belgium, Australia, South America and China. For the last two years, Lewis has been producing Fighting Words, a globe-trotting feature doc about three pioneering artists pushing back against political polarization. Prior to that, he was a showrunner at VICE, where he wrote, directed and produced 30 episodes of Vice Guide To Film for broadcast in the US, Canada, Australia and the UK; and The Beat, a 20-part doc series with unprecedented access to the police in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. His feature docs include, Lovesick, a Gemini Award winner, Best Arts Program, Jews and Money, an investigation into a kidnapping and murder in Paris. Lewis also wrote and directed the 13-part series Cirque Du Soleil: Fire Within, the 2003 Primetime Emmy winner for Outstanding Nonfiction Program and Gemini winner for Best Direction and Best Reality-based Series. It was Bravo's highest-ever rated show at that time. Lewis is currently completing an autobiographical documentary investigating his obsessive relationship with his dog.Image Copyright and Credit: Lewis Cohen and TVO.F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Barri Cohen, Brian Logie and Face2Face host David Peck talk about Unloved: Huronia's Forgotten Children, trauma, empathy and love, “othering”, labels and woodcarving, oppression, institutions and junk science, capitalism and dehumanization and why it's so important to never forget. For more info head here and www.remembereveryname.comBlurb:Filmmaker Barri Cohen leads part detective story, part social history in UnLoved: Huronia's Forgotten Children as she uncovers the truth about Alfie and Louis, her two long-dead half-brothers. They were institutionalized at the Huronia Regional Centre in Orillia in the 1950s, with one brother unceremoniously buried in secret in an unmarked grave as a small child. Their lives were cut short, but their story stands as a microcosm of the immense tragedy of the western world's 20th century disastrous treatment of intellectually disabled children and youth - a question preoccupies the film: how do we allow ourselves to dehumanize the most vulnerable people in our care?UnLoved: Huronia's Forgotten Children is a heartbreaking yet redemptive work that moves outwards from a highly personal and painful family secret to an investigation of hidden, searing truths about an entire government-enabled system of institutional cruelty and ugliness against vulnerable children. Yet, humanity is hopefully restored by assembling community and survivor testimony, along with the filmmaker's insistence that these experiences be fully recognized and memorialized.About Barri:Barri Cohen is an award-winning writer, director, and producer whose career spans over 20 years of making independent documentaries and television series acrossa range of genres from lifestyle to comedy for general and specialty audiences in Canada and around the world. Many of Cohen's independently produced anddirected works involve health, mental health, and environmental, social justice stories. Among her awards and nominations include those for her feature documentaryToxic Trespass: Children's Health & The Environment & the recently co-produced Toxic Beauty — Phyllis Ellis's multiple Canadian Screen Award winning andinternationally nominated feature documentary for White Pine Pictures and documentary Channel which had its premiere at the 2019 Hot Docs InternationalDocumentary Film Festival. Cohen also produced Ellis's Canadian Screen Award nominated documentary for CBC, Girls Night Out. Cohen is the past NationalExecutive Chair of the Documentary Organization of Canada, past editor and publisher and current columnist of Point of View Magazine and was the co-chair and cofounding member of the Hot Docs International Documentary Film Festival. She is currently developing a family drama/comedy series, writing a memoircollection with essays, and studying psychoanalysis.Image Copyright and Credit: Barri Cohen and White Pine PicturesF2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jo Brunini and Face2Face host David Peck talk about her new book Never A Cloud, empathy, listening, loss in a marriage, storytelling and self-correction, mysticalencounters, authenticity, and why fighting for your free space is so important.For more info head here.Blurb:Never a Cloud charts the course of three women—Violet, Ava, and Margot— who find their way to a new understanding of home and family at Otyrburn, an estate inrural Scotland. Violet Grey, a child of the sixties, writes from an island in Maine as the novel travels between Scotland, New York City, and Venice, Italy. Otyrburnbelongs to George Lowell and Margot Reid, who is the half-sister of Violet's daughter, Ava. This is something Margot discovers only when Ava unexpectedly arrives.George, a director at the Metropolitan Museum, finds himself under suspicion for illicit activity as Margot reconnects with her childhood sweetheart, who is helpingrestore the worn-at-the-edges Regency manor, where secrets long forgotten, and those newly discovered, converge.“The novel often feels like the film Gosford Park populated by readers of the London Review of Books... Brunini's prose is often evocative...”Kirkus ReviewsAbout Jo:Jo Brunini's paintings and poetry can be found at giovannabrunini.com.Among her regrets are losing the handwritten letter from William Steig and not taking Tasha Tudor up on an invitation to tea.Jo lives in Vermont with her family.Image Copyright and Credit: Jo BruniniF2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nadine Pequeneza & Face2Face host David Peck talk about her new film Last of The Right Whales, conservation and general ocean health, hope, despair, joy and plankton, plant intelligence, cohabitation, community and grass roots movements.Watch it on CBC and find out more information here about the film.Blurb:These gentle giants no longer die of natural causes. Instead, they are run over by ships or suffer lethal injuries from fishing gear. Over the past decade they've been dying at a rate of 24 per year. This staggering death toll is fueling a movement to save the first great whale to face extinction. Last of the Right Whales is the story of a disparate group of people - a wildlife photographer, a marine biologist, a whale rescuer, and a crab fisher - united in their cause to save the North Atlantic right whale. By joining forces these formidable allies are determined to stop the world's first great whale extinction. The film combines the 4K cinematography of a blue-chip nature film with the character-driven, vérité storytelling of a high-stakes drama. With unprecedented access to film the migration of the North Atlantic right whale from their calving ground off the coast of Florida to their new feeding area in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, this feature documentary brings a message of hope about the most at-risk, great whale on the planet.About Nadine:Nadine Pequeneza is an award-winning Producer/Director specializing in character-driven films that offer unique access to stories about a wide range of topics from criminal justice to global finance, to wildlife conservation. With more than 15 years international experience her work has garnered worldwide recognition, including a Canadian Screen Award for Best Writing in a Documentary Program, nine CSA and Gemini nominations, Gold and Silver Hugos from the Chicago International Film Festival and a Silver Gavel Award honourable mention from the American Bar Association. Through her company HitPlay Productions Nadine produces, directs and writes feature documentaries: The Invisible Heart, Next of Kin, Road to Mercy, 15 to Life: Kenneth's Story and Inside Disaster: Haiti. HitPlay's broadcast and funding partners include CBC, SRC/RDI, PBS, ARTE, SWR, TVO, Knowledge Network, Canal D, Telefilm, Ontario Creates, NFB, Rogers Documentary Fund and the Bell Fund. Nadine is immediate past Chair of the Documentary Organization of Canada and a graduate of the Fledgling Foundation's inaugural engagement lab. Her most recent work Last of the Right Whales is a story with far reaching implications about the endangered North Atlantic right whales.Image Copyright and Credit: Hit Play Productions.F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Karen Wookey, Andrea Constand and Face2Face host David Peck talk about their new film The Case Against Cosby, trauma, purpose, trust and aha moments,authenticity, fear, risk, and faith, finding a safe community and how healing is possible.Watch now on CBC GemSurvivors.orgHope HealingBlurb:Of the sixty-three women who have come forward to accuse Bill Cosby of sexual assault, only one was able to gain a conviction. This is her story. With intimate access to Andrea Constand and her family, Cosby's prosecutors, journalists in the courtroom, and experts on predation, pedophilia, and trauma, we are taken on a journey that will leave us shocked, informed, and deeply changed. Woven throughout the stunning legal story are the first-person accounts of five Cosby survivors as they confront the impact of sexual trauma with world-renowned physician and best-selling author Gabor Maté. We will bear witness to the power of healing as these women find strength in one other. A heroine's journey, The Case Against Cosby is a feature length documentary in Canadian markets and a 2 x 1hr documentary in international markets that reveals how one woman's unstoppable courage and search for justice helped raise the voice of an entire generation of women seeking lasting change.About Karen:Karen Wookey has produced numerous feature films and over five hundred hours of series television, both scripted and unscripted. As a Showrunner, Writer/Director Wookey has created and produced several shows for television including Crimes of Passion, a doc series exploring intimate partner homicide, Intervention Canada, Vegas Rat Rods for Discovery Channel, and In Their Own Words: 6 premium bio docs for PBS showcasing Elon Musk, Pope Francis, Jimmy Carter, Lady Diana and Chuck Berry.Since 2011 Karen has been partnered with Prospero Pictures' Martin Katz and together, they have produced many series and feature films, including Man on the Train (Tribeca) starring Donald Sutherland andLarry Mullen Jr., as well as Our House (XYZ International), in partnership with Resolute Films & Entertainment's Lee Kim, directed by Anthony Scott Burns and starring Thomas Mann and Nicola Peltz. They arecurrently in production on Caitlyn Cronenberg's first feature entitled Humane.Image Copyright and Credit: Karen Wookey & Prospero Pictures.F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sarah Polley and Face2Face host David Peck talk about her new film Women Talking, curiosity, imagination, the patriarchy, trauma and grief, de and re-construction, the power of community, what it means to heal, inspiration and the greater Good.Blurb:Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley, and Judith Ivey, with Ben Whishaw and Frances McDormand, star in Sarah Polley's fearless adaptation of Miriam Toews'acclaimed novel about a cloistered world where women struggle with an epidemic of abuse.Oscar-nominated writer-director Sarah Polley's fearless adaptation of Miriam Toews' acclaimed novel grants us access to a tight-knit, cloistered religious colony inwhich women struggle to recover from an epidemic of abuse. Featuring riveting, emotionally complex performances from a stunning ensemble that includes Oscarnominees Rooney Mara and Jessie Buckley and Oscar winner Frances McDormand, Women Talking is a drama of harrowing revelations, fraught alliances, and thesearch for grace.Reeling from multiple counts of sexual abuse, newly uncovered within their Mennonite colony, a group of women gather in a hayloft to discuss how to respond. Whilethe men are away, the women narrow their options down to three: do nothing, stay and fight, or leave. Some fear that any act of defiance will jeopardize their entry intoheaven, while others believe they cannot survive without husbands and sons. Some are willing to take any measures to escape the terror of their domestic lives andinsist that “the truth is stronger than the rules.”With her first feature in almost a decade, Polley showcases her unmatched skills as both a screenwriter and a director. The film is at once ferocious in its critique ofpatriarchal oppression — a critique that clearly extends to our broader, secular culture — while respectful of the beliefs and traditions in which its characters wereraised. Though it is suffused with the pain of trauma, a stubborn sense of wonder and quiet joy in community permeate the film. Women Talking ushers us through ajourney of rage, grief, wisdom, and hope through to a triumphant, most gratifying conclusion.Adapted from Jane Schoettle's Synopsis, TIFFAbout Sarah:Sarah Polley, actor, director, writer, producer, she is one of Canada's most talented and well-known actors. Sarah is also an acclaimed director and a committed political activist. As a child actor, her natural and unaffected performances on television series such as CBC's Road to Avonlea, and in films such as Atom Egoyan's Exotica and The Sweet Hereafter.After choosing to pursue a career in Canadian and independent films, she embarked on a highly successful second career as a writer-director with such award-winning films as Away from Her, Take This Waltz and Stories We Tell. Her latest film is Women Talking. She has won multiple Genie and Gemini Awards, and numerous international honours.Sarah is the first woman to receive a Genie Award for best director, and is an Officer of the Order of Canada and a member of Canada's Walk of Fame.Image Copyright and Credit: Universal Studios.F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joshua Jay and Face2Face host David Peck talk about his new book How Magicians Think, mystery, philosophy and wonder, asking good questions, doing what youlove, problem solving and why magic matters.To buy tickets for Thursday, November the 10th head to Jokers.About Josh:Joshua has performed on stages in over 100 countries. He was awarded the top prize at the World Magic Seminar and has fooled Penn & Teller on their hit show, FoolUs. He holds a Guinness World Record in card magic. Jay has performed magic on numerous television shows, including appearances on The Tonight Show withJimmy Fallon and The Late, Late Show with James Corden.Joshua Jay is the author of several books, including the best-selling MAGIC: The Complete Course, and the upcoming How Magicians Think.He has designed illusions for stage and screen, including a recent collaboration with HBO for Game of Thrones. Joshua consulted with the United States PostalService on the design of their postage stamp series, Magic.Joshua appeared at the 2008 Inaugural Ball for President Barack Obama and has also delivered private performances for former President Clinton.Most recently, Joshua was awarded Magician of the Year 2020 by the Society of American Magicians Parent Assembly for his contribution to the art of magic.Image Copyright and Credit: Joshua Jay.F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stacey Tenenbaum and Face2Face host David Peck talk about her new film SCRAP, why rust is beautiful, upcycling, the preservation of history, objectivejuxtaposition, the right to repair, circular economies, changing minds and looking closer.TrailerFor more information head to the website here.Synopsis:Must a disposable society throw out its memories along with its unwanted possessions?Director Stacey Tenenbaum tackles this question in her globe-trotting documentarySCRAP which takes place in metal graveyards where, “things like planes and ships and trains and trolleys all go to die.”Discover the vast and strangely beautiful places where things go to die and meet the people who collect, restore, and recycle the world's scrap. SCRAP scratchesbeneath flaking paint and rusting metal to reveal the beauty and pathos in the ugliness we leave behind.About Stacey:Stacey Tenenbaum is an award-winning producer and director. Stacey is passionate about making cinematic films that are filled with humour and heart.In 2014 she founded H2L Productions, a boutique documentary film production company specializing in crafting character driven stories which are shot internationally.H2L Productions' first documentary Shiners, premiered at Hot Docs and was broadcast on the documentary Channel, TV5, and PBS. Stacey's second film PipeDreams also premiered at Hot Docs and was broadcast on the documentary Channel, NHK, SVT and PBS. SCRAP is her third feature documentary.Image Copyright and Credit: Stacey Tenenbaum & H2L ProductionsF2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jason Loftus and Face2Face host David Peck talk about his new film Eternal Spring human rights, the lens of the artist, universals, Aristotle and poetry, activismversus pacifism, and the nuts and bolts of disinformation.TrailerSynopsis:In March 2002, a state TV signal in China is hacked by members of the banned spiritual group Falun Gong. Their goal is to counter the government narrative abouttheir practice.In the aftermath, police raids sweep Changchun City, and comic book illustrator Daxiong (Justice League, Star Wars), a Falun Gong practitioner, is forced to flee. Hearrives in North America, blaming the hijacking for worsening a violent repression. But his views are challenged when he meets the lone surviving participant to haveescaped China, now living in Seoul, South Korea.Combining present-day footage with 3D animation inspired by Daxiong's art, Eternal Spring retraces the event on its 20th anniversary, and brings to life anunprecedented story of defiance, harrowing eyewitness accounts of persecution, and an exhilarating tale of determination to speak up for political and religiousfreedoms, no matter the cost.About Jason:A Peabody Award-winning filmmaker and four-time Canadian Screen Award nominee, Jason's work spans documentary, docuseries, virtual reality, narrative games,and animation. Jason produced the docuseries on Chinese cuisine, Confucius Was a Foodie, which was named Best Food Series on TV at the 2021 Taste Awards. Ithas aired in over 100 territories worldwide, including on PBS stations across the US and NatGeo People Asia.Jason's directorial debut in a documentary feature, together with Eric Pedicelli, was called Ask No Questions and premiered in competition at Slamdance in 2020. Itwon the Copper Wing (Best World Cinema) at the Phoenix Film Festival, was endorsed by artist Ai Weiwei, and was nominated by Film Threat as 2021's Best SociallyRelevant Documentary, among other honours.Eternal Spring is Jason's follow-up to Ask No Questions and his second documentary feature as director.Image Copyright and Credit: Film participant and illustrator Daxiong & Lofty Sky Pictures.F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Paul Saltzman and Face2Face host David Peck talk about his new film Meeting The Beatles in India, John Lennon and following your heart, politics, civil rights andhow storytelling can do magical things and what it might mean to look for inner peace.TrailerVisit Paul's other sites: Moving Beyond Prejudice and Prom Night in MississippiFor More InformationSynopsis:Filmmaker Paul Saltzman retraces his journey of 50 years ago when he spent a life-changing time with the Beatles at the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram on thebanks of the Ganges River. In 1968, he discovered his own soul, learned meditation, which changed his life, and hung out with John, Paul, George and Ringo.Fifty years later, he finds “Bungalow Bill” in Hawaii; connects with David Lynch about his own inner journey; as well as preeminent Beatles historian, Mark Lewisohn;Academy Award nominated film composer, Laurence Rosenthal; and Pattie and Jenny Boyd. And much of this is due to Saltzman's own daughter, Devyani, remindinghim that he had put away and forgotten these remarkably intimate photographs of that time in 1968.Narration by: Morgan FreemamExecutive Producer: David Lynch & OthersAbout Paul:Paul Saltzman is a two-time Emmy Award-winning, Toronto-based director-producer of over 300 film and television productions. In 1968, he learned meditation at theMaharishi Mahesh Yogi's ashram in India, an experience that changed his life. There, he photographed the Beatles, Jane Asher, Cynthia Lennon, Pattie BoydHarrison, Maureen Starkey, Mia Farrow, Donovan, Mal Evans and Mike Love.In 1968-69 he assisted in the birth of a new film format as second-unit director and production manager of the first IMAX film. He later attended the original WoodstockMusic Festival, produced a Leonard Cohen concert tour, and made his first film, a documentary on Bo Diddley. In 2000, Viking Penguin released Paul's first book, TheBeatles in Rishikesh. In early 2006 Paul created the Deluxe Limited-Edition box set, ‘The Beatles in India'.Today, Paul continues to make films; leads small tour groups to India; and does film screenings and workshops worldwide on the Beatles, Moving Beyond Prejudice,Meditation, Maximizing Creativity, Conflict Resolution and Nonviolent Communication, and Overcoming Performance Anxiety.Image Copyright and Credit: Paul Saltzman.F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kyle Thrash and Face2Face host David Peck talk about his new film The Sentence of Michael Thompson, politics and clemency, character, tenacity and humility, thecriminal justice system, and something called the Last Prisoner Project.TrailerFor more information.The Last Prisoner ProjectSynopsis:Michael Thompson is the longest serving non-violent offender in Michigan history, and this year he is finally up for clemency. In 1994, he was arrested for selling three pounds of cannabis to a close friend turned police informant. He was sentenced to 42 to 60 years in prison and remains there even after Michigan legalizes the recreational use and sale of cannabis.The film follows Michael's daughter, Rashawnda Littles, and his lawyer, Kim Corral, during the fight for clemency, examines the harm the War on Drugs has caused on communities, and explores paths forward as federal cannabis legalization gets closer to becoming a reality.About Kyle and from his website:Kyle was born in Philly but grew in Germans Ville which is actually a place and he made a lot of Skate videos and listened to a lot of ska which is what you'resupposed to do as a teenager in a small town, but made a fly-on-the-wall doc about his school which nearly got him expelled. So, he tried being a child actor and RonHoward cast him but left him on the cutting room floor so he started directing his own stuff because what does Ron Howard know anyway.And then the whole music video thing exploded with everyone loving his films so he won a load of stuff and made his feature maybe next year about the Philadelphiaeagles winning the super bowl and he shot incredible spots for the NFL and LinkedIn and although he secretly likes watching other people play video games and wasin a Mariah Carey movie we don't care because his work is sublime and he really is a definite knucklehead.Image Copyright and Credit: Kyle Thrash.F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Stefan Forbes and Face2Face host David Peck talk about his film Hold Your Fire, conflict resolution, toxic masculinity, messy conversations, risk and bridging the gap and how we might be able to transcend street justice.TrailerFor more info check out the website.Synopsis:Brooklyn, 1973. When Shu'aib Raheem and his friends attempted to steal guns for self defense, it sparked the longest hostage siege in NYPD history. NYPD psychologist Harvey Schlossberg fought to avert a bloodbath, reform police methods, and save the lives of hostages, police, and the four young Muslim men at the heart of the conflict.About Stefan: Stefan Forbes is an Emmy-nominated director. His award-winning documentary Boogie Man: The Lee Atwater Story won the IDA Emerging Filmmaker Award, the national Edward R. Murrow Award, the Polk Award for Excellence in Journalism, and was nominated for a WGA Award for Best Theatrical Documentary. It played 40 US cities theatrically and was seen on PBS's Frontline, The BBC's Storyville, the CBC's Passionate Eye, and was a Critic's Pick in newspapers worldwide. The Washington Post called it “one of the best political films ever made.” Mr. Forbes' award winning hourlong documentary One More Dead Fish (2004), about environmentally friendly fishermen in Nova Scotia fighting globalization, was broadcast on PBS. Ken Loach called it “excellent” and Howard Zinn termed the film “an inspiring example of working people resisting the giant forces of globalization, in the great tradition of civil disobedience on behalf of justice. Mr. Forbes wrote and directed the cinematic musical performance Monk Recut with Grammy-nominated jazz ensemble MONK'estra, which Monk biographer Robin D.G. Kelley called “fabulous…breathtaking.” Mr. Forbes is a former New York Foundation for the Arts Fellow and has served on the nominating committee of the Independent Spirit Awards. Image Copyright and Credit: Fab 5 Freddy and Stefan Forbes.F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Bent Hamer, Pål Sverre Hagen and Face2Face host David Peck talk about their new film The Middle Man, precise poetic comedy, empathy and philosophy, existential angst, satire and rich literary material, and why humour is a way through which we can begin to understand each other.TrailerSynopsis:The Middle Man is a darkly humorous social satire which takes place in a small town that is experiencing an epidemic of accidents and deaths. The town is run by “The Commission” - the Sheriff, the Doctor and the Pastor - who decide to hire a ‘Middle Man' whose sole responsibility will be to inform the family when an unfortunate incident occurs.Frank Farrelli is a quiet, thoughtful man who proves perfect for the job. He takes his new role on with gusto and quickly becomes the town's beacon of bad news. But the pressures of the job and a budding new romance overwhelm Frank. To ease his burden, he calls in a ‘favour' that ends up in a horrifying yet oddly amusing murder.About Bent & Pål: Bent Hamer is a Norwegian director, writer, producer and owner of the film production company BulBul Film. After studying law at The University of Oslo he worked for some years as sailboat skipper abroad before he completed his education in Film Theory and Literature at the University of Stockholm, and in film making at Stockholms Filmskola. Bent's feature films include the award winning O'Horten Factotum, Kitchen Stories and Eggs which all had their international premiere at Cannes International Film Festival. 1001 Grams, O'Horten, and Kitchen Stories were Norway's entry for The Academy Award. In 2013 Bent was awarded the Norwegian Amanda Honorary Award for his complete work. After graduating from the National Academy of the Arts in Oslo in 2003 Pål Sverre Hagen has played major roles in both Scandinavian and International films, for which he has received several awards and accolades. He is perhaps best known for his roles in Troubled Water, Kon-Tiki, In Order of Disappearance, Amundsen and the TV series Exit. He is also an award-winning stage actor. Amongst his 2020 releases are drama comedy Diana's Wedding, Halo of Stars alongside Lily Collins, Holliday Grainger and Lukas Haas. Hagen achieved world-wide recognition for portraying Thor Heyerdahl in the epic historical feature Kon-Tiki directed by Espen Sandberg and Joachim Rønning, about the 1947 Kon-Tiki expedition. He received an Amanda Award for his role and the film was nominated for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award. In 2013 he starred in fantasy adventure Ragnarok. The year after, he starred in the role of the eccentric villain and crime lord “the Count” in the comedy action feature In Order of Disappearance alongside Stellan Skarsgård and Bruno Ganz for which he was awarded Best Actor, at Austin Fantastic Fest.Image Copyright and Credit: Bent Hamer, BulBul Film, The Film Farm & Pandora Films.F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Sara Taksler and Face2Face host David Peck talk about her new film How Saba Kept Singing, entertainment as social justice, beautiful coping mechanisms, non-violent advocacy, relationships, love and closure and putting mindfulness into action.Synopsis:Ninety-four-year-old David Wisnia never told his wife, children or grandchildren in Levittown, Pennsylvania, the whole truth about how he survived Auschwitz-Birkenau. They knew that David's singing voice had entertained the SS guards, that his musical gift had changed his fate, but no one knew what, or who, gave him the will to live: a love affair with another prisoner. Accompanying David on a trip to Poland commemorating the 70th anniversary of the camp's liberation, grandson Avi learns about Helen "Zippi" Spitzer.A talented artist whose scale model of the camp earned her privileges, Zippi was able to orchestrate their encounters and keep them safe. They promised to find each other if they survived, but the war intervened.Over 70 years later, they reunite, sharing unimaginable memories and even more startling secrets in this moving testament to the life-giving power of music.About Sara:Sara worked in late-night comedy for two decades, including 12 years at The Daily Show, where she was a senior producer. She is the director and producer of the feature film How Saba Kept Singing, Executive Produced by Hillary Rodham Clinton and Chelsea Clinton, which will debut at Toronto's Hot Docs 2022.Taksler's previous documentary, Tickling Giants, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. The New York Times declared Tickling Giants a “first-rate documentary”, Variety called it “an ebullient ode to freedom”, it reached the number one documentary spot on iTunes, and Rotten Tomatoes scored it 100 percent. TWISTED: A Balloonamentary, Taksler's first feature film, is a lighthearted look at the world's premier balloon-twisting convention. The Hollywood Reporter hailed it a “thoroughly winning feature.” Taksler can talk backwards, has a remarkable fake sneeze, and grew an entire human inside her body while directing her most recent film.Sara's favorite song: Midnight Train to Georgia - Gladys Knight & The PipsHow Saba Kept singing is her latest documentary and is executive produced by Hillary Rodham Clinton and Chelsea Clinton.Image Copyright and Credit: Sara Taksler & Hidden Light Productions.F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Michelle Rempel Garner, Chloe Sosa-Sims and Face2Face host David Peck talk about the new film Hunting in Packs, idealism, political inertia, community, the calcification of beliefs, personal change, authenticity and why politics should be about the conversation.Find out more here.Synopsis:What happens when strong-willed women join the circus of politics? How do they create the change? Make the policy real? Achieve their dreams?The 3 female politicians in this film, Jess Phillips (Labour, UK) Pramila Jayapal (Democrat, US) & Michelle Rempel Garner (Conservative, Canada), represent differentends of the political spectrum, with different constituents and vastly different agendas. That said, they share one common fight – enacting bold policy in the face of anoutdated political establishment. Sometimes that fight pits them against their country's leaders, and other times against their own political parties. Taking place in threeWestern countries, the film will explore three democracies currently being rocked by the deep polarization of party politics.Just as they all begin to make progress, they are thrown into elections and leadership campaigns, and are expected to shift gears for “the good” of their leaders orparties. As each woman's portrait becomes fully realized, the viewer must decide whether our system allows for their success.About Chloe:Chloe Sosa-Sims is a Toronto-based director/ producer/ writer committed to documentary & stylized filmmaking. Her chilling and emotionally raw feature debut DANAND MARGOT illuminated the complicated truths of schizophrenia. The film has screened internationally, with special presentations at the TIFF Bell Lightbox and theHot Docs Bloor Cinema. She has participated in the UnionDocs Documentary Lab, RIDM Talent Lab, and the Reelworld E20 Program for her new film on women in politics.Her work spans independent documentary, television, branded content, and narrative shorts for CNN, VICE, CBC, History Channel, Super Channel, TVO, Investigation Discovery, Oxygen, and A&E.She takes on issues from politics to pop culture, and advocates for a more equal, fair and sustainable industry through her work with Film Fatales and othercommunity groups. Her previous work includes 5 years as the Industry Programmer at Hot Docs.She holds a BAH in Film & Media from Queen's University.Image Copyright and Credit: Chloe Sosa-Sims & Fathom Film Group.F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Daniel Carsenty, Mohammed Abugeth and Face2Face host David Peck talk about their new film The Devil's Drivers, universal problems, hard to find solutions, thelegitimacy of others, the pursuit of freedom and some of the things we take for granted.TrailerWebsiteSynopsis:Chased by the army, a human trafficker crosses the border on a daily basis. An intimate yet harrowing portrait – shot over the course of eight years – about a manliving on the edge in one of the most dangerous regions of our world.The film is an intimate and harrowing portrait of a group of smugglers risking everything on high-speed trips to help Palestinians workers cross the border into Israelevery day for work. Banned from obtaining legal work permits in Israel, and cut off from their lands, and water sources by the Israeli settlers, these men risk everythingto provide for their families.An investigation into the human condition under the most difficult circumstances and an understanding of how to remain a decent human being in a world falling to pieces, the film underscores the harsh reality Palestinian's face in day-to-day life.About Daniel Carsenty:Daniel Carsenty's first film ‘After Spring Comes Fall' won the award for Best Feature at the Zsigmong Vilmos Festival in Sziget, Hungary. In the following years heworked for Arte and BBC as a TV journalist in the Middle East.In 2020 he moved to Los Angeles as a directing fellow at the American Film Institute.About Mohammed Abugeth:Mohammed Abugeth worked as PA in Ramallah for Idioms Films, before working as a TV journalist for Arte and DW. The Devil's Drivers is his first feature film. Hecurrently works and lives in Berlin.Image Copyright and Credit: Daniel Carsenty.F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Carlos Francisco Manatad and Face2Face host David Peck talk about his new film Whether the Weather, disaster films, grief, trauma and loss, style over story,spiritual fables, pushing back against the status quo and feeling secure and safe.Find out about the film and see the trailer here.Synopsis:In the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan, religious fanatics, desperados, criminals and fleeing animals are loose in the city. Miguel, an escaped prisoner, roams the ruins in search of the two women in his life : his girlfriend Andrea and his mother, Norma. As soon as he finds them, the reason for Miguel's incarceration – and his sacrifice – becomes clear. He tries to convince them to leave the city with him before he is arrested.However, Norma is fixated on waiting for her estranged husband Luis and Andrea is entangled in rebellious acts paving the way for her to commit the unspeakable. As Miguel's temporary release expires, his freedom and even his life are jeopardized.He must decide whether to stay on to persuade his loved ones or to leave town on his own before the next disastrous storm devours him and the only home he knows.About Carlos:Carlo Francisco Manatad was born in Tacloban in the Philippines and is currently based in Manila. Manatad has worked on over 60 feature films as an editor and had been working as an editor for nine years before he started directing.The film A Gentle Night, for which Manatad served as editor, won the Short Film Palme d'Or at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival. Meanwhile, Manatad's short film Jodilerks Dela Cruz, which originally was created as a treatment to show to producers and practice for a feature, was submitted and unexpectedly accepted to La Semaine de la Critique, a parallel sidebar section of Cannes which aims to discover new talented filmmakers. It also won the Best Southeast Asian Short Film award at the 2017 Singapore International Film Festival.Whether the Weather is Fine is his latest film. Image Copyright and Credit: Carlos Francisco Manatad.F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Margaret Byrne and Face2Face host David Peck talk about her new film Any Given Day, context and community, safe places, honesty, vulnerability andaccountability, the ethics of film making and why it's important to see ourselves as resources.Find out about the film and see the trailer here.Synopsis:In 2015, during widespread defunding of community mental health care programs across the country, in Chicago, the Cook County Jail has become a defaulttreatment center for people living with mental illness. While investigating the treatment of detainees, filmmaker Margaret Byrne befriends Angela, Dimitar and Daniel, participants in a mental health court probationprogram. Their friendship gives each of them the courage to be seen at their most vulnerable. In turn, Margaret begins to confront one of the most difficult periods ofher life, culminating in a hospitalization for depression.What begins as a heartfelt desire to accurately portray the lives of Angela, Dimitar and Daniel, forces Margaret to reckon with her own history of mental illness.Margaret's own hospitalization that occurs during the making of the film, becomes an inspiration to weave her own story into the film. Byrne's intimate observations ofthe three, captures the hard-fought triumphs and struggles of living at the intersection of mental illness, poverty, and addiction.Any Given Day provides deeply personal insight into the necessity of caring relationships, especially when life is at its most difficult.About Margaret:Margaret Byrne directed and produced Raising Bertie a feature documentary following the lives of three African American boys growing up in rural North Carolina.She has worked as a cinematographer on over a dozen films including Surge, Waging Change, All the Queen's Horses, and American Promise.She was previously a creative director at Universal Music and directed live concerts and music videos for artists such as Jay-Z and Mary J. Blige. In 2005, Byrneproduced and edited the live series that launched MTV across Africa. Byrne is an adjunct professor at Columbia College and College of DuPage.She is the founder of Beti Films, an all-women film collective based in Chicago.Image Copyright and Credit: Margaret Byrne and Beti Films.F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Derreck Roemer and Face2Face host David Peck talk about his new film Come Clean, about addiction and mental health, recovery and misconceptions, statistics and stigma, friendship, healing, codependency and why recovery and community are connected.TrailerWatch it on TVO, TVO.org, YouTube and TVO streaming channels.Synopsis:Come Clean is a close look at what fuels addiction, as well as the herculean effort and hope recovery demands. Six million Canadians will meet the criteria for addiction in our lifetimes. COVID-19 has intensified the problem. Opioid-related deaths surged 25% in Ontario in the first few months of the pandemic and continue to be at a crisis point.“The reality of addiction seriously impacts individuals, families and communities across Ontario,” says John Ferri, VP of Programming and Content at TVO. “With unflinching honesty, Come Clean shares the real struggle of overcoming addictions through deeply personal journeys—stories that most Ontarians will relate to.”Written and directed by Derreck Roemer and Neil Graham of Insurgent Projects (Last Call at the Gladstone Hotel, The Lost Highway), TVO Original Come Clean begins on New Year's Eve in the southwestern Ontario farming community of Thamesville, home to Westover Treatment Centre. Cameras roll as the dozen addicts in group 1313 embark on 19 days of in-treatment counselling. With intimate and unfettered access, the filmmakers embedded round-the-clock at Westover, living alongside the program participants. Post-treatment, filming followed select subjects' stories for 18 months to experience their realities and see who among them could break the habits that landed them in rehab.About Derreck:Toronto-based filmmaking duo Derreck Roemer and Neil Graham have worked together for over 20 years, producing and directing everything from shorts to feature-length documentaries. In late 2000, the pair began work on Last Call at the Gladstone Hotel, a film that premiered to critical acclaim and sold-out screenings at the Hot Docs International Documentary Festival, then played festivals worldwide before television broadcasts in Canada and elsewhere. The film garnered Roemer and Graham a Gemini Award for best direction in a documentary series, as part of TVO's documentary anthology The View From Here. In 2009, Graham and Roemer formed Insurgent Projects, and in 2014 released the Canadian Screen Award best-doc-nominee The Lost Highway. In 2018, TVO commissioned Roemer and Graham to create Come Clean.Image Copyright and Credit: Derreck Roemer and TVO.F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Nikhil Mahajan, Jitendra Joshi, Gauri Nalawade and Face2Face host David Peck talk about their new film Godavari, wisdom and tradition, freedom and acceptance, getting back to basics, why love is found within and building a life of significanceTrailerSynopsis:Filmed in India in the Marathi language, Godavari stars a who's who of Indian talent including the film's lead actor Jitendra Joshi (Sacred Games, Ventilator) who has headlined numerous Marathi feature films including award-winning Ventilator and his turn as the lovable police constable Katekar in Netflix's first Original Indian series Sacred Games. Alongside Joshi, Godavari also stars Sanjay Mone (Dhyasparva), Vikram Gokhle (Anumati), Neena Kulkarni (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel), Gauri Nalawade (The Disciple) and Priyadarshan Jadhav (Bhootatlela)Godavari marks a new beginning for Mumbai-based filmmaker Nikhil Mahajan, who is best known for his work directing the neo-noir Pune 52, vigilante action film Baji and the Netflix Original zombie horror series Betaal by Blumhouse. With Godavari, Mahajan shifts gears seamlessly into a dramatic space after a 6-year hiatus from filmmaking. It marks a decided metamorphosis of directorial style and vision and is his most personal film to date.About Nikhil Mahajan:Nikhil Mahajan is a genre filmmaker who debuted with the Marathi film noir Pune-52, and followed it up with the vigilante action film, Baji. A graduate of the International Film School Sydney, he made the Netflix original series Betaal in 2020, which was produced by Blumhouse and Shah Rukh Khan. Nikhil returns to feature filmmaking after six years with Godavari, his most personal film yet. Nikhil lives in Mumbai with his dog, Sherlock.Image Copyright and Credit: Nikhil Mahajan and Jitendra Joshi PicturesF2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Rachel DeCruz, Jeremy Levine and Face2Face host David Peck talk about their new Sundance film The Panola Project, convenience stores, persistent grace, poverty and racism and real change, relationships, and the absence of shame and why community matters.For more info on the film and to WATCH it head here.Synopsis:The Panola Project highlights the heroic efforts of Dorothy Oliver to keep her small town of Panola, Alabama safe from COVID-19. Dorothy runs a makeshift vaccine coordination center from the convenience store she runs out of a mobile home. Today, nearly 99% of adults in her town have received the shot in a state with one of the lowest vaccination rates in the country. The Panola Project illuminates how an often-overlooked rural Black community comes together in creative ways to survive.About Rachel and Jeremy:Rachel DeCruz is a Black woman with a complex family history related to race, her work centers on how race impacts people's ability to navigate systems. Nine, her feature debut, will examine the deep bond between two men who met in prison and how their love gives them the strength to fight for justice. The film was an official selection of the 2021 Big Sky Pitch and received a development grant from the Ford Foundation.DeCruz is the director of The Panola Project, a short film highlighting the heroic efforts of Dorothy Oliver to keep her small town of Panola, Alabama safe from COVID-19. The film was released with The New Yorker, featured on MSNBC's The Last Word with Lawrence O'Donnell and Morning Joe and written about in numerous publications including USA Today, The Los Angeles Times, and Business Insider. The film received hundreds of thousands of social interactions, with posts from figures like Margaret Atwood, Ibram X. Kendi, and Dr. Tom Frieden, the former director of the CDC during the Obama Administration. The Panola Project received Audience Awards at GlobeDocs and the Sidewalk Film Festival, where Dorothy was honored with the Spirit of Sidewalk award.Jeremy S. Levine's films explore race, class, and trauma, and seek to unearth buried tragedies in a society in active denial of its own past. An Emmy award-winning filmmaker and two-time Sundance Institute fellow, his work has screened at over one hundred film festivals around the world including the Berlinale, Tribeca, and Sundance, streamed on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Sundance Now, and Hulu, broadcast nationally in nine countries, and received over a dozen festival awards.In 2008, Levine co-founded the Brooklyn Filmmakers Collective (BFC), a community of professional filmmakers dedicated to collaboration and mutual support. He is currently developing projects exploring issues including the criminal justice system, the unresolved legacy of white supremacy, forced separation, and the representation of mental health in horror films.Image Copyright and Credit: Rachel DeCruz and Jeremy LevineF2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Victor Gabriel and Duran Jones and Face2Face host David Peck talk about their new Sundance film Hallelujah, poverty and justice, drama, death and belonging, resilience, oppression and innocence lost, Cornel West, James Baldwin and why storytelling and human experience are intimately connected.Victors Directors Statement: "A theme that is ever present in my life is the question “How do I overcome my suffering? Is it even possible?” More specifically in this story it is the idea of grieving the people I have lost, the loved ones we have all lost. A sub theme is the idea of belonging and finding home. Where is home? As someone who has been abandoned, displaced, neglected and had to move around and live with different people, home is nebulous at best. But what I realize for me is that though I may never “belong”, I am deeply loved by many people. And being loved is more important to me than belonging.”Synopsis:Chetty and Paper are two brothers who refuse to grow up. But due to unforeseen circumstances, they are now in charge of their nephew HALLELUJAH,a strange book quoting black boy and their quiet niece Lila. Sitting in the backyard, supposedly watching their niece and nephew, the two brothers become so distracted they don't notice when Hallelujah attempts suicide. What follows is a funny moving story about family, the people we have left behind, and the people who are still with us.About Victor and Duran:Growing up in poverty, Victor Gabriel realized that water in cornflakes doesn't taste as bad as you think it would. He wandered without a home before eventually ending up in Compton, CA. Now as a black male writer/director and recent MFA graduate of AFI Conservatory, he has turned to filmmaking as way for him to wrestle with his own suffering as well as the suffering of others. He holds an MA in Clinical Psychology and has been working as a Marriage and Family Therapist with survivors of trauma in Compton/Watts/South Central for the past several years. His short film BLACK BOYS CAN'T CRY, won the Social Impact Award at the Hollyshorts Film Festival and is currently being shown in others. His favorite movie is Richard Donner's Superman. He likes Red Vines and thinks Twizzlers are trash. BIG FACTS.Duran Jones is a 2007 graduate of Hampton University, with a BA in Broadcast Journalism. He is an accomplished independent rapper and songwriter with a keen sense of storytelling. In 2017, he completed his first short film titled BLKMGC, an urban musical based on the shooting death of Tamir Rice at the hands of police. Duran is also known for his 2011 tribute to Trayvon Martin and his subsequent interview on CNN.Now a Producing Fellow at the American Film Institute Conservatory, his goal is to tell stories for people of color that are truthful and impact the global community. While studying at AFI he graduated from the 2020 PGA Power of Diversity workshop, where his pilot “Daywalker” received interest from Mary Parent, Gary Lucchesi and Prentice Penny.Image Copyright and Credit: BLK Magic Content and Victor GabrielF2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mark Critch, Tim McAuliffe and Face2Face host David Peck talk about their new CBC TV series Son Of A Critch, photo bombs, family life, growing up, why socializing at a wake might be a good idea and what comedy can do for us.Watch the show on CBC Gem.Synopsis:Based on Mark Critch's award-winning, best-selling memoir, SON OF A CRITCH (13x30) is the hilarious and very real story of 11-year-old Mark coming of age in St. John's, Newfoundland in the 80s. It's a heartfelt window into the life of a child - much older inside than his 11 years - using comedy and self-deprecation to win friends and connect with the small collection of people in his limited world. Filmed in St. John's, Newfoundland, the comedy stars Critch as his father; Benjamin Evan Ainsworth (The Haunting of Bly Manor, Pinocchio) as young Mark; and Golden Globe nominee Malcolm McDowell (A Clockwork Orange) as Pop. Additional cast members include Claire Rankin (Molly's Game) as Mark's mother, Mary, alongside newcomers Sophia Powers and Mark Rivera, classmates of young Mark.A CBC original comedy, Son Of A Critch is created by Mark Critch and Tim McAuliffe (The Office, Last Man on Earth and MacGruber) and produced by Andrew Barnsley (Schitt's Creek).About Mark and Tim:Mark Critch is one of the most recognizable faces in Canadian comedy and has won multiple awards for both writing and performance. For fifteen years, he has starred on CBC's flagship comedy, This Hour Has 22 Minutes. As an anchor and “roving reporter,” he has brought celebrities and politicians to Canadian living rooms across the nation. He is the host of CBC's Halifax Comedy Festival and has written for and appeared in CBC's world-renowned Just for Laughs series. Mark is the author of two best-selling books published by Penguin. His memoir ‘Son of A Critch' has been adapted to television and will air in January of 2022.Tim McAuliffe is a television writer/producer from Montreal, Canada. He is currently the Showrunner/Executive producer of the upcoming Paramount Plus show, Players as well as the Showrunner/Executive Producer of CBC's Son Of A Critch. He is also a consulting producer on the Peacock series Macgruber (starring Will Forte, Kristen Wiig, and Ryan Philippe). Previously, he served as a Executive Producer/Showrunner/Writer of FOX TV's, The Last Man On Earth (starring Will Forte, Kristen Schaal, January Jones), writer/producer on the Emmy-winning, NBC show, The Office (starring Steve Carrell, John Krasinski, Jenna Fischer, Ed Helms, and Rainn Wilson), writer for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, writer for NBC's Maya & Marty (starring Maya Rudolph and Martin Short), writer/producer on NBC's Up All Night (starring Christina Applegate, Will Arnett, and produced by Lorne Michaels). He is currently developing The Foundation with Zooey Deschanel. In Canada, he was Showrunner/Executive Producer/writer on CBC TV's long running This Hour Has 22 Minutes and a writer for Canada's most successful sitcom of all time, CTV's Corner Gas.Image Copyright and Credit: CBC Productions.F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ron Chapman and Face2Face host David Peck talk about his new films Shelter and From Earth to Sky, architecture, tradition and Turtle Island, xenophobia, collaboration, and common ground, and why it's better to give than to receive. Synopsis:From Earth To Sky is a unique and inspiring story of a proud and accomplished collective of Indigenous architects, driving a movement as climate change threatens the planet. They are world leaders in aesthetic, form, sustainability and ultimately protecting mother earth. Their stories have never been more important.Shelter is the inspirational story of how these brave Jewish immigrants survived religious persecution in their homelands to build wildly successful real estate and land development businesses and help shape a growing metropolis by making it a refuge for all newcomers to Toronto.About Ron:Director and producer Ron Chapman is an award-winning Toronto filmmaker. His feature documentaries have garnered acclaim worldwide and have aired on major networks and platforms. They include: Who the F**K is Arthur Fogel, featuring Lady Gaga, U2, The Police, Madonna, Rush, and key music industry insiders; The Poet of Havana, with Carlos Varela, Benicio Del Toro, Jackson Browne; and The Forbidden Shore, an in-depth exploration of Cuba's top musical artists.Shelter is one of three films Ron has produced and directed being released 2021. It will have its world premiere as the opening film of the Toronto Jewish Film Festival, June 3, 2021. His other documentary feature From Earth to Sky, the story of seven Indigenous architects from Turtle Island, will have its world-broadcast premiere on TVO, June 21st 2021, National Indigenous Peoples Day.Ron is currently in production on a new music documentary investigating 1969's The Toronto Rock N Roll Revival – what Rolling Stone called “the second most important event in rock history” – with John Lennon and the Plastic Ono Band, Bo Diddly, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chuck Berry, Gene Vincent, The Doors, Chicago and more, for release 2022.For more about the film and Ron's work head here.Image Copyright and Credit: Chapman Productions.F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Richard Wiseman and Face2Face host David Peck talk about his new book David Copperfield's History of Magic, humour as a tool, Dale Carnegie, sticky ideas, tunnel vision, a need for mystery, bored and fascinated silence, and why it's quite handy to be likeable. David Copperfield's History of Magic Buy it where you usually buy your books.Synopsis:An illustrated, illuminating insight into the world of illusion from the world's greatest and most successful magician, capturing its audacious and inventive practitioners, and showcasing the art form's most famous artifacts housed at David Copperfield's secret museum.In this personal journey through a unique and remarkable performing art, David Copperfield profiles twenty-eight of the world's most groundbreaking magicians. From the 16th-century magistrate who wrote the first book on conjuring to the roaring twenties and the man who fooled Houdini, to the woman who levitated, vanished, and caught bullets in her teeth, David Copperfield's History of Magic takes you on a wild journey through the remarkable feats of the greatest magicians in history.These magicians were all outsiders in their own way, many of them determined to use magic to escape the strictures of class and convention. But they all transformed popular culture, adapted to social change, discovered the inner workings of the human mind, embraced the latest technological and scientific discoveries, and took the art of magic to unprecedented height.The incredible stories are complimented by over 100 never-before-seen photographs of artifacts from Copperfield's exclusive Museum of Magic, including a 16th-century manual on sleight of hand, Houdini's straightjackets, handcuffs, and water torture chamber, Dante's famous sawing-in-half apparatus, Alexander's high-tech turban that allowed him to read people's minds, and even some coins that may have magically passed through the hands of Abraham Lincoln.By the end of the book, you'll be sure to share Copperfield's passion for the power of magic.About Richard:Professor Richard Wiseman has been described by a Scientific American columnist as ‘…one of the most interesting and innovative experimental psychologists in the world today.' His books have sold over 3 million copies and he regularly appears on the media. Richard also presents keynote talks to organisations across the world, including The Swiss Economic Forum, Google and Amazon.He holds Britain's only Professorship in the Public Understanding of Psychology at the University of Hertfordshire, is one of the most followed psychologists on Twitter, and the Independent On Sunday chose him as one of the top 100 people who make Britain a better place to live.Richard is a Member of the Inner Magic Circle and has created psychology-based YouTube videos that have attracted over 500 million views.He also acts as a creative consultant, including work with Derren Brown, The Twilight Zone and the hit television show, Brain Games.Find out more about Richard here.Image Copyright and Credit: Photograph by Antje M. PohseggerFor more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Gian Cassini and Face2Face host David Peck talk about his new film Comala, friendship and family, truth and ambiguity, “the war on drugs”, violence and responsibility, and how intimate stories can be universal.TrailerSynopsis:Director Gian Cassini grew up the only child of a single mother in Monterrey, Mexico. His father, with whom he had only intermittent contact, had left when he was a child and started a parallel family, giving Gian a brother and sister that he came to know as he got older. In Comala, the filmmaker's powerful and daring debut documentary, Cassini puts his magnifying glass to the ground as he embarks on an intimate true-crime odyssey that criss-crosses Mexico, stops over in Cuba, and settles in San Antonio, Texas.One family member at a time, Cassini puts together the puzzle pieces that form an image of his late father — El Jimmy, a small-time hitman and drug trafficker in Tijuana — allowing him, and the rest of his family, to make sense of the man that made them who they are.Comala, named after the town where Juan Rulfo's landmark 1955 novel Pedro Páramo takes place, bears witness to one family's quest for personal truth, a journey that along the way uncovers a network of men stuck within deeply-rooted patterns of machismo; victims of their own intergenerational trauma. Cassini unpacks this web of toxic masculinity that has informed his own life and addresses the pain of abandonment head on. In searching for the root of his own family's heartbreak, Cassini's story offers unprecedented access into the personal ramifications of Mexico's War on Drugs and gives voice to the countless women and children who are left behind by the vicious cycles of violence, drug abuse, and internalized misogyny at its core.About Gian:Gian Cassini is a documentary filmmaker based in Monterrey, Mexico. He is a writer, editor, producer, and director of features, short films, and television series. He has participated in different filmmaking programs including the IDFA Academy, DocMontevideo, Impulso Morelia, and the Logan NonFiction Program. Comala marks his debut feature.Image Copyright and Credit: IMAGYX Entertainment and Gian Cassini.F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Barry Avrich and Face2Face host David Peck talk about his new film Oscar Peterson: Black & White, generosity, fear and confidence, music as a universal, the civil rights movement and Oscar's Hymn To Freedom, and the alchemy of music.Learn more about Barry here and watch the film streaming Crave and HBO.Synopsis:Oscar Peterson: Black & White is a ground-breaking “docu-concert” that deeply explores the life and legacy of jazz icon and composer, Oscar Peterson: his sound, stardom, and cult of virtuoso. Oscar Peterson is the one jazz figure who had, and still has, the larger-than-life quality of jazz royalty. Other jazz artists from Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole to Duke Ellington and John Coltrane became legends but Oscar, like Picasso or Mozart, had an undeniable style rooted not just in his genius but in his relentless performances and personality. The documentary delves into the seven-decade career of the musical genius: from his days as a child prodigy to the development of his signature sound on recordings with his trio, from his collaborations with huge stars to his shifts to brilliant solo performances around the world — as well as his tenacious experiences confronting racism and segregation while touring in the United States which culminated in his epic composition of Hymn to Freedom. Set against a backdrop of civil rights and racial discrimination, this “docu-concert” will examine an extraordinary life journey, from prodigy to legend.There was only one Oscar Peterson. As the man himself prophesied, “Ain't but a few of us left.”About Barry:Acclaimed documentary filmmaker, Barry Avrich is responsible for over 50 documentaries and best known for provocative exposes of Hollywood power brokers such as Lew Wasserman (The Last Mogul), Harvey Weinstein (The Reckoning), Blurred Lines: Inside the Art World, David Foster: Off the Record and the critically acclaimed film Prosecuting Evil.Avrich has also produced the Scotiabank Giller Prize and Canadian Screen Awards broadcasts. In 2007, Avrich built the world's first state-of-the-art movie theatre in a hospital at Toronto's SickKids. Barry Avrich also directs and produces the prestigious Stratford Festival 'Stage to Screen' films.In 2016, Avrich released his best-selling memoir, Moguls, Monsters and Madmen.Image Copyright and Credit: Melbar Entertainment Group/Barry AvrichF2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Wi Ding HO and Face2Face host David Peck talk about his poetic, compelling and intimate new film Terrorizers, challenging the status quo, fragmented headlines, choice and responsibility, perspective, sympathy and loneliness and why we're all just looking to be loved.Synopsis:“A slashing incident connects a group of disillusioned youths, in director Wi Ding HO's powerful look at the truth beyond the headlines. A splendid, tragic fresco of the lost life of youths in pre-COVID Taipei, Terrorizers is his latest film. Ho returns to directing with a complex, multiple-narrative work that defies genre definitions and classic film structure. Reality can be captured through cinema, but there is a gap between what an image shows and what really is — between representation and the real world. What lies behind the headlines, what happens around tragedy, forms the prism of events at the core of Ho's story of passion, love, and vengeance — illuminated fragments of scattered lives.Terrorizers is a powerful story that investigates the origins of violence and finds poetry within aesthetics, while giving voice to a remarkable ensemble cast.”With thanks to TIFF and Giovanna FulviAbout Wi Ding Ho:A graduate of NYU Tisch School of the Arts, born and raised in Malaysia and currently based in Taipei, Wi Ding HO is truly a versatile international filmmaker. Wi Ding's audacity is not only reflected in the choice of his subjects but also in his stylistic approach. His audacious style was first noticed at Cannes's Critics Week with his short film Respire, where it won two awards and later Best Fantasy Short Film at Sitges Fantasy International Award. Back in 2005, the film depicted a distant future where people were required to wear masks by law because of the air born virus.Wi Ding's debut feature Pinoy Sunday was a comedy of manners, devoid of strong visuals, but rather focusing on performance and story. Wi Ding tackles the challenge of shooting a culture and a language both utterly foreign to him. He also continued to push the envelope as he defied the definition of Taiwanese Cinema with a film featuring 90% of non-Mandarin language and two non- Taiwanese leads. The film landed Wi Ding a much-coveted Chinese- Oscar Golden Horse Award for Best New Director.His last feature film Cities of Last Things, in the form of a triptych, pinpoints three extraordinary nights in the life of a common man, as told with reverse chronology.Each vignette examines his relationships with women, which result in life-changing events. It won the Platform Award at the Toronto International Film Festival andGrand Jury Prize in Beuane Film Festival of France, both voted unanimous by juries.Terrorizers is his latest feature film and is making its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.Image Copyright and Credit: Changehe Films Ltd and Wing Di HoF2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Bianca Stigter and Face2Face host David Peck talk about her new film Three Minutes - A Lengthening, Kodak memories, human stories and faces as traces, film as a record, family and history and why everyone wants to be seen.Synopsis:Three Minutes - A Lengthening presents a home movie shot by David Kurtz in 1938 in a Jewish town in Poland and tries to postpone its ending. As long as we are watching, history is not over yet.The three minutes of footage, mostly in colour, are the only moving images left of the Jewish inhabitants of Nasielsk before the Holocaust. The existing three minutes are examined to unravel the human stories hidden in the celluloid.The footage is imaginatively edited to create a film that lasts more than an hour. Different voices enhance the images. Glenn Kurtz, grandson of David Kurtz, provides his knowledge of the footage. Maurice Chandler, who appears in the film as a boy, shares his memories.Actress Helena Bonham Carter narrates the film essay.About Bianca:Bianca Stigter is an historian and cultural critic. She made the short film essays Three Minutes -Thirteen Minutes – Thirty Minutes (2014) and I Kiss This Letter - Farewell Letters from Amsterdammers (2018). She is associate producer of Steve McQueen's feature films 12 Years a Slave and Widows. In 2019 she published the book Atlas of an Occupied City: Amsterdam 1940-1945.Image Copyright and Credit: Family Affair Films and Bianca StigterF2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mourad Zaoui and Face2Face host David Peck talk about his new film The Forgiven, idealism and access, the truth found in parables, the magic of newfoundland, walking the journey little by little and acknowledging and respecting others.Synopsis:Jessica Chastain, Ralph Fiennes, Caleb Landry Jones, Christopher Abbott, Saïd Taghmaoui, and Marie-Josée Croze lead a stellar ensemble cast in this wild foray into opulence, sin, and reckoning set deep in the Moroccan desert.On the verge of divorce, wealthy couple David (Fiennes) and Jo (Chastain, also appearing at the Festival in The Eyes of Tammy Faye) are on their way to a lavish weekend party, and accidentally run over and kill a young Moroccan man trying to sell fossils by the roadside. They put his body in their car and arrive at the party at a mansion hosted by a worldly gay couple. Once the body is tucked away in the bowels of the villa, the partygoers return to the circus of dancing, drugs, and debauchery. The next morning, David's buzz becomes a hangover as he's forced to reckon with the boy's father and meet his own fate. For the others, the party must go on.Making his TIFF debut, John Michael McDonagh (The Guard) applies a Felliniesque lens towards the bourgeoisie, showing how their vapid pursuits prey on (or ignore) the livelihoods of others, sometimes with deadly results. The shimmer of these events, contrasted with the bleakness of the working class and Moroccan help who observe from the periphery, allows McDonagh to explore fatalistic themes of hedonism, neocolonialism, and the negligence of privilege.A weekend of fun reveals a world of oppression in this bold and sly critique driven by star-studded performances.With thanks to TIFFAbout Mourad:After earning his bachelor's degree in business communication at the Lycée Elbilia in Casablanca in 1999, he moved to New York City to study English at Queens College. It was there that he discovered his passion for theatre and cinema.In 2005, at the age of 25, Mourad was cast as the lead role in his first feature film, Wake Up Morocco. His first film role proved to be a difficult experience, as Mourad suffered from injuries from a motorcycle accident right before filming, as well as an appendicitis attack during filming. Despite these initial hurdles, Mourad persevered in his acting career, moving on to being cast in more than 60 film and television projects in Morocco and around the world.When he is not acting, Mourad enjoys surfing, fashion, motor sports, and martial arts.Image Copyright and Credit: Mourad Zaoui.F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Kathryn Bertine and Face2Face host David Peck talk about her new book Stand, activism, social change, the gender gap, beacons of hope, mental health and why things are not always as they seem.Buy the book here and learn more about Kathryn here.STAND: A memoir on Activism. A manual for progress. What really happens when we stand on the front lines of change.“I don't have time for a blurb, but congratulations on your book!”Malcolm Gladwell.“When confronted with injustice, Kathryn Bertine didn't quit, and she didn't back down: she poured her heart and soul into confronting this injustice, and she emerged victorious. Kathryn's story is one of hope and perseverance despite the odds being stacked against her. Every girl and woman who's been told they can't play or keep up with the boys will take heart from this inspirational, life-affirming story.”Gabby Giffords, U.S. Congresswoman, Survivor & Activist.“On and off the bicycle, Kathryn Bertine has always chosen the challenging road. Whether it was her tenacious battle for equal road at the Tour de France, or her soul searching comeback from a traumatic crash, Bertine's career as an athlete and advocate has been marked by courage, determinedness and an unshakeable sense of humor. As a slowpoke on two wheels, I hate that a talented cyclist can also be a great writer, but STAND is an inspiring testament to the power of choosing the challenging road, and it demonstrates how lucky all of sports – not just cycling – is to have Kathryn Bertine.”Jason Gay, The Wall Street Journal. Author of Little Victories.“No one takes a stand like Kathryn Bertine. Rider, writer and above all activist she has fought long and hard for everyone to share the road. As a collaborator and interviewee she's warm, witty and above all wise, as a writer she has the rare talent of infusing activism with humour and it's her intelligence and humanity that makes STAND such a compelling, honest and kick ass (could substitute inspiring but you're a kick ass) read.”Suze Clemitson, The GuardianAbout Kathryn: Kathryn Bertine is an author, athlete, activist and documentary filmmaker. During her pro career in cycling, she was a three-time Caribbean Champion, six-time national champion of St. Kitts and Nevis (SKN) and raced five years on pro circuit with four UCI domestic and World Tour teams Colavita, Wiggle-Honda, BMW and Cylance Pro Cycling. She retired from racing in 2017 but remains active in advancing equity for women's pro cycling.Off the bike, Bertine is a filmmaker, activist, journalist and author of three nonfiction books, All the Sundays Yet to Come, As Good As Gold, and The Road Less Taken. From 2006 through 2012, Bertine was a columnist, author and senior editor for ESPN. When she pitched a documentary film on women's pro cycling to ESPN in 2012, they rejected the proposal. So Bertine decided she would make it herself. After a two-year labor of love and crowdsourcing adventures, in 2014, HALF THE ROAD: The passion, pitfalls and power of women's professional cycling was released. It won five film festivals, debuted in 16 nations, scored international distribution and successfully brought the hammer down on the corruption and sexism in sports. Half the Road is now available on iTunes, Vimeo, Amazon Prime and DVD. Five years later, she continues to receive royalties on a film ESPN said no one would watch.As an advocate for equality in women's sports, Bertine then started the social activism movement Le Tour Entier in an effort to bring parity to women's professional road cycling, starting with the Tour de France. She and her team succeeded, and women's field was included in 2014 with the addition of La Course by Tour de France. In 2017, she founded (and currently serves as CEO for) Homestretch Foundation, which provides free housing to female professional athletes struggling with the gender pay gap. Bertine was featured on the cover of Bicycling Magazine and profiled in Outside Magazine for her platforms of implementing change in the world.As an activist, Bertine continues to serve as a public speaker/lecturer on equality and advocacy. She shares her journey and her message—that through passion, disruption, opportunity and focus, anything is possible and we're all capable of effecting change—with corporations, universities and other professional outlets. She is currently at work on her fourth book. A native of Bronxville, NY she lives in Tucson, AZ. She holds a BA from Colgate University and an MFA from the University of Arizona and a PhD from The School of Hard Knocks. Image Copyright and Credit: Kathryn Bertine.F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Brett Gaylor and Face2Face host David Peck talk about his new film Discriminator, serendipitous creativity, privacy laws, facial recognition, digital ethics and human rights, data sets, remix culture, surveillance technology and automated decision making.TrailerWATCH the film here.Find out more about Brett and his work here.Synopsis:Discriminator, Brett Gaylor's latest cautionary tale about life online, looks at the sea of faces we've willingly uploaded to social media and the consequences of our oversharing.As the Internet has evolved, so has documentarian Brett Gaylor's attitude towards it. The filmmaker, who imagined a utopian future of shared creativity in 2008's hit documentary feature RIP: A Remix Manifesto, began to sound the alarm in 2015 with his Peabody award winning series on digital privacy Do Not Track. Last year's CBC documentary The Internet of Everything explored the implications of the Internet moving off of our screens and into the world around us with the Internet of Things.And in his latest film, the interactive documentary Discriminator, he looks at the vast global database of faces – captured without consent on social media and other platforms – and how it's being used to hone facial recognition and other advances in artificial intelligence.Discriminator traces the almost accidental amassing of photos on digital sites through the beginning of this century, and follows through to the realization in 2015 by Yahoo/Flickr that this archive had limitless possibilities no one could have imagined. The subsequent cloning of these databases has been used to build technology used by US defence contractors, the Chinese military and the largest corporations on earth.In this interactive documentary, viewers can see how this technology works by activating their own webcams. While this may sound creepy, the film manages to stay away from fear-mongering territory with AI-assisted animation, interactive AR filters, a glitchy original score and Gaylor's familiar voiceover. It's the most fun you will have exploring surveillance capitalism.“We need to move beyond narratives around AI that are scary and grant the technology it's own human agency,” says Gaylor, whose own wedding images play a role in his digital supply chain analysis. “What we need to understand is that these are technologies that we can shape, and that we are alive during a moment where we can set the course “People's faces are being used for purposes over which they have no control. We need to have consent over our digital bodies - we need to make permission normal again.”About Brett:Brett's documentaries The Internet of Everything, Do Not Track, OK Google, and Rip! A Remix Manifesto chronicled the Internet's peril and promise. His AR documentary Fortune premiered at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival.Brett has received the International Documentary Association award, a Peabody Award, the Prix Gemaux and three Webbys.Image Copyright and Credit: Brett Gaylor and Imposter media.F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Trevor and Ellen Scherer Crafts and Face2Face host David Peck talk about Street Gang, revolutionary ideas, the definition of genius, lightening in a bottle, TV as a wasteland and Kermit the Frog.TrailerFind out more about Street Gang here.Synopsis:Street Gang: How We Got To Sesame Street takes us inside the minds and hearts of the Sesame Street creators, artists, writers, and educators who, together established one of the most influential programs in television history.In late 1960s, Joan Ganz Cooney, a socially conscious female television executive was working in the fledgling world of public television. She was asked by friend Lloyd Morrisett, who worked for the Carnegie Corporation of New York and who specialized in the psychological studies of pre-school children, to take on revolutionary experiment. Could Joan create a children's show that would "master the addictive qualities of television and do something good with them?"Inspired by the civil rights movement, Joan and Lloyd took this experiment one step further and began to envision using the new medium of television to educate all children, and specifically reach America's "inner city" children to help close the educational gap that systemic racism and poverty had created. It was the right project, at the right time, and she needed the right group of people to make it happen.To harness the burgeoning power of television and create an educational, impactful, and entertaining show that could reach children nationwide. Cooney recruited visionary Muppets creator Jim Henson and acclaimed children's television writer and director Jon Stone to craft the iconic and uplifting world of what became Sesame Street.Street Gang: How We Got To Sesame Street focuses on the first two experimental and groundbreaking decades of Sesame Street, highlighting this visionary "gang."With interviews with the original surviving creators, and their families, we hear and see how “the gang” came together. They share stories of the challenges and stumbling blocks involved to create the show and its iconic characters, and also speak to confronting boundaries that came their way with unflinching purpose. All with a wicked sense of humor, and pure joy. The gang knew that they were part of something that was special, critically important, and bigger than themselves.Street Gang: How We Got To Sesame Street reintroduces the world to Joan's gang. With exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, and original cast and creator interviews, audiences will meet the people that audaciously interpreted radical changes in society and engaged children in ways that entertained and educated them like never before.Now is the perfect time to tell the story of the show's origins and inspire people to use purpose, and the power of creativity, to make a positive impact in our world.About Trevor and Ellen:Known for creativity, flexibility, and a sense of humor, Trevor Crafts is a Producer/Director whose work has won an Emmy®, the LATV Festival, and 13 additional industry awards.With a visionary creative drive, strong leadership abilities, and a true understanding and passion for the cinematic arts, Trevor has spent his career creating dynamic stories with striking visuals featuring strong characters.His proven track record of leading studio teams to produce innovative story-driven content has helped film projects like the recently completed Sundance 2021 Premiere Street Gang: How We got to Sesame Street (2021) a feature length documentary on the origins of Sesame Street distributed by Screen Media and HBO, based on the book of the same name. Other Films include 7 Splinters in Time (2018) 12 Feet Deep (2016), Experimenter with Peter Sarsgaard and Winona Ryder (2015) which premiered at Sundance, Manson Family Vacation from the Duplass Brothers (2015), Deep in the Heart (2013) and Smokewood, Nevada (2013).In publishing, Trevor is currently working on The Unseen Photos of Street Gang a photo book of behind-the-scenes pictures from renown photographer David Attie. Also he recently released The Not-So Secret Society Graphic Novel for middle readers, published by BOOM! Studios, under their KaBoom imprint. BOOM! Studios also published his original IP series Lantern City in 2015.Ellen Scherer Crafts started her career in entertainment producing special events to include headline entertainment for Cesar's Entertainment and live boxing co-productions with HBO and Telemundo. She went on to prominent roles in promotion and marketing in the corporate arena executing large scale meetings and product launches for Fortune 500 companies all over the world.Ellen partnered with her husband and producer Trevor Crafts to build Macrocosm Entertainment, helping to market their original transmedia property Lantern City and co-create the original children's property The Not-So Secret Society. Ellen is a producer on the anticipated documentary Street Gang: How We Got To Sesame Street premiering in 2021.Image Copyright and Credit: Macrocosm and levelFilm.F2F Music and Image Copyright: David Peck and Face2Face. Used with permission.For more information about David Peck's podcasting, writing and public speaking please visit his site here.With thanks to Josh Snethlage and Mixed Media Sound. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.