On Documentary

In this episode, I talk with directors Arun Bhattarai and Dorottya Zurbó about their new film “The Agent of Happiness” that premiered earlier in the year at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. This film explores if and how happiness can be measured? The country of Bhutan invented Gross National Happiness to do just that, and Amber, the central protagonist in the film, is one of the agents who travels door to door to meet people and measure how happy they really are. He is still living with his elderly mother at the age of 40, but is nevertheless a hopeless romantic who dreams of finding love: a happiness agent who is in search of his own happiness. We embark with Amber on a cross-country road trip meeting citizens from all walks of life, reminding us of the fragility and beauty of our own happiness - no matter where we live.Thank you for listening. Please subscribe to keep up to date with new episodes. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a review.“On Documentary” podcast page: www.adamjamessmithfilm.com/on-documentaryAdam James Smith's Instagram: www.instagram.com/ajsfilmContact: ajsfilm@alumni.stanford.edu

In this episode, I talk with directors Ayman El Amir and Nada Riyadh about their new film “The Brink of Dreams” that recently won the Golden Eye award at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. This documentary chronicles the lives of a group of young Egyptian girls from a very conservative small village in Egypt who formed an all-female acting troupe despite family rejection.Thank you for listening. Please subscribe to keep up to date with new episodes. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a review.“On Documentary” podcast page: www.adamjamessmithfilm.com/on-documentaryAdam James Smith's Instagram: www.instagram.com/ajsfilmContact: ajsfilm@alumni.stanford.edu

In this episode, I talk with artist and director Dan Covert, about his new documentary film “Geoff McFetridge: Drawing a Life” that recently premiered at SXSW, picking up an Audience Award, and is about to be released on VOD. "Drawing a Life" is a poetic and intimate portrait of an artist. In an era dominated by influencers and social media, Geoff McFetridge works to live with intention and authenticity, an increasingly rare practice–more relevant now than ever. Geoff's art is everywhere: from Apple watch faces, to solo shows around the world, to movie titles for Spike Jonze. But this film is more than a primer on Geoff's prolific career. It's about the choices we confront in trying to lead meaningful lives. Dan Covert's website: www.dancovert.com "Drawing a Life" website: www.drawingalifefilm.com Geoff McFetridge's website: www.championdontstop.com Thank you for listening. Please subscribe to keep up to date with new episodes. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a review.“On Documentary” podcast page: www.adamjamessmithfilm.com/on-documentaryAdam James Smith's Instagram: www.instagram.com/ajsfilmContact: ajsfilm@alumni.stanford.edu

In this episode, I talk to filmmakers Xinyan Yu and Max Duncan about the challenges of production of their excellent new film "Made in Ethiopia", that just received its premiere at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival. "Made in Ethiopia" examines the growing industrialization taking place in present-day Ethiopia and China's often misunderstood, growing impact in Africa. Filmed over four years with unprecedented access, the story takes viewers to a dusty farming town in Ethiopia as a Chinese industrial park begins to take shape. The film follows three women, perhaps most affected: the Chinese factory director who must muster up strength to fulfill the promise of expansion and 30,000 jobs, a factory worker, and a local farmer, all who look to the success of the development for their future prosperity."Made in Ethiopia" website: www.madeinethiopiafilm.com Thank you for listening. Please subscribe to keep up to date with new episodes. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a review.“On Documentary” podcast page: www.adamjamessmithfilm.com/on-documentaryAdam James Smith's Instagram: www.instagram.com/ajsfilmContact: ajsfilm@alumni.stanford.edu

In this episode, I talk to accomplished composer Ryan Marth, who has created music for a variety of films. Ryan covers the nuts and bolts of his craft and offers advice for both new composers and for filmmakers on how to go about creating music for film. Ryan's website: www.ryanmarth.comRyan's Instagram: www.instagram.com/ryanmarthmusicThank you for listening. Please subscribe to keep up to date with new episodes. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a review.“On Documentary” podcast page: www.adamjamessmithfilm.com/on-documentaryAdam James Smith's Instagram: www.instagram.com/ajsfilmContact: ajsfilm@alumni.stanford.edu

In this episode, I talk with filmmakers Arata Mori and Andreas Hartmann about their new documentary “Johatsu” that is currently on the festival circuit. Every year, thousands of people vanish without a trace in Japan. The film explorers the phenomena known as Johatsu, or “the evaporated,” about people who abandon their lives for various reasons, a troublesome relationship, mounting debts or threats from the mafia. Some get support from so-called “night moving” companies, which help people to disappear and start a new life somewhere else. The film “Johatsu” depicts the inner conflicts and attempts at reconciliation of those who have disappeared and those who have been left behind.Thank you for listening. Please subscribe to keep up to date with new episodes. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a review.“On Documentary” podcast page: www.adamjamessmithfilm.com/on-documentaryAdam James Smith's Instagram: www.instagram.com/ajsfilmContact: ajsfilm@alumni.stanford.edu

In this episode, I talk with filmmaker Nellie Kluz on directing, producing, and editing her new documentary film "The Dells". The film explores Wisconsin Dells - the world capital of water parks - through the eyes of foreign students employed on summer work visas. This program, presented as an immersion into American culture, is also a way of profiting from cheap labour. "The Dells" is an inspired portrait of contemporary America through the eyes of this young generation.Thank you for listening. Please subscribe to keep up to date with new episodes. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a review.“On Documentary” podcast page: www.adamjamessmithfilm.com/on-documentaryAdam James Smith's Instagram: www.instagram.com/ajsfilmContact: ajsfilm@alumni.stanford.edu

In this first episode of season 3, I talk with renowned cinematographer Michael Marius Pessah, who has worked on a wide array of documentary and scripted projects, as well as music videos and commercials. For this episode, we focus on the art of documentary cinematography. Michael has worked on documentaries such as 'Scandalous' which was nominated for a 2021 Emmy, and 'Viva La Causa' which was shortlisted for a 2009 Academy Award. Michael was invited to join the American Society of Cinematographers in 2020 and is member of the National Film Preservation Board. As well as extensive work in the film industry, Michael also teaches cinematography at the American Film Institute in Los Angeles, California. Thank you for listening. Please subscribe to keep up to date with new episodes. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a review.“On Documentary” podcast page: www.adamjamessmithfilm.com/on-documentaryAdam James Smith's Instagram: www.instagram.com/ajsfilmContact: ajsfilm@alumni.stanford.edu

In this episode, I talk to Loretta van der Horst about the challenges of directing her new feature documentary "The Border Crossed Us", that recently premiered at IDFA.Loretta's Instagram: lorvanderhorstLoretta's websites:www.lorettavanderhorst.comwww.thewaves.filmwww.newproducersacademy.nlFilm website: www.journeyman.tv/film/8572And the producers website:www.tangerinetree.nlThank you for listening. Please subscribe to keep up to date with new episodes. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a review.“On Documentary” podcast page: www.adamjamessmithfilm.com/on-documentaryAdam James Smith's Instagram: www.instagram.com/ajsfilmContact: ajsfilm@alumni.stanford.edu

In this episode, I talk to Julien Potart on what it took to build the sitnwatch streaming platform for documentaries, as well as his own films and his work as a programmer for the Paris Surf & Skateboard Film Festival. Julien's Instagram: www.instagram.com/julienpotartSitnwatch: www.sitnwatch.tvParis Surf & Skateboard Film Festival: www.pssff.frThank you for listening. Please subscribe to keep up to date with new episodes. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a review.“On Documentary” podcast page: www.adamjamessmithfilm.com/on-documentaryAdam James Smith's Instagram: www.instagram.com/ajsfilmContact: ajsfilm@alumni.stanford.edu

In this episode, I talk to Silje Evensmo Jacobsen about her excellent and moving new film “A New Kind of Wilderness” that just premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. The film follows wild-living British widower Nik Payne as he makes tough choices for his family following his wife's untimely death.Silje's production company website: www.a5film.no/aboutus Thank you for listening. Please subscribe to keep up to date with new episodes. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a review.“On Documentary” podcast page: www.adamjamessmithfilm.com/on-documentaryAdam James Smith's Instagram: www.instagram.com/ajsfilmContact: ajsfilm@alumni.stanford.edu

In this episode, I talk with award-winning director and producer Lesley Chilcott on her experience working with Arnold Schwarzenegger for the Netflix series "Arnold". Lesley has also worked on "Waiting for Superman", "CodeGirl", "It Might Get Loud", and "An Inconvenient Truth" which won two Academy Awards.Lesley's website: www.lesleychilcott.comThank you for listening. Please subscribe to keep up to date with new episodes. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a review.“On Documentary” podcast page: www.adamjamessmithfilm.com/on-documentaryAdam James Smith's Instagram: www.instagram.com/ajsfilmContact: ajsfilm@alumni.stanford.edu

In this episode, I talk with cinematographer, colorist, and head of Venture Films Jake Pierrelee on the art of color grading for documentary.Jake's Instagram: www.instagram.com/jvkeJake's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOhajf8RvcGz3wMPekSkOpwJake's course: www.jvke.us/tcbThank you for listening. Please subscribe to keep up to date with new episodes. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a review.“On Documentary” podcast page: www.adamjamessmithfilm.com/on-documentaryAdam James Smith's Instagram: www.instagram.com/ajsfilmContact: ajsfilm@alumni.stanford.edu

In this episode, I talk with filmmakers Jesse Short Bull and Laura Tomaselli on the production and reception of their feature documentary "Lakota Nation vs. United States."Official website: www.lakotanationvsus.movieLaura Tomasellis website: www.lauratomaselli.comThank you for listening. Please subscribe to keep up to date with new episodes. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a review.“On Documentary” podcast page: www.adamjamessmithfilm.com/on-documentaryAdam James Smith's Instagram: www.instagram.com/ajsfilmContact: ajsfilm@alumni.stanford.edu

On this episode, I talk to Dan Olmsted who has worked on a vast array of both documentary and narrative films as a sound recordist, sound mixer, and sound designer, including "Crip Camp", "China's Lost Daughters", "The Revolutionary Optimists", "The English Patient" and "Boogie Nights". Dan and I discuss the art of sound in documentary.Dan's IMDB page: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0647465/Thank you for listening. Please subscribe to keep up to date with new episodes. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a review.“On Documentary” podcast page: www.adamjamessmithfilm.com/on-documentaryAdam James Smith's Instagram: www.instagram.com/ajsfilmContact: ajsfilm@alumni.stanford.edu

In this episode, I talk with filmmaker Amy Nicholson about her new film "Happy Campers" that recently premiered at DOC NYC.Amy's website: www.filmsbyamy.comHappy Campers website: www.happycampers.filmThank you for listening. Please subscribe to keep up to date with new episodes. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a review.“On Documentary” podcast page: www.adamjamessmithfilm.com/on-documentaryAdam James Smith's Instagram: www.instagram.com/ajsfilmContact: ajsfilm@alumni.stanford.edu

In this episode, I talk with filmmaker Yannesh Meijman about his new film "Hotel Mokum" that recently premiered at the International Documentary Festival in Amsterdam. Yannesh's website: www.yanneshmeijman.nlYannesh's Instagram: www.instagram.com/theodorusgoonThank you for listening. Please subscribe to keep up to date with new episodes. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a review.“On Documentary” podcast page: www.adamjamessmithfilm.com/on-documentaryAdam James Smith's Instagram: www.instagram.com/ajsfilmContact: ajsfilm@alumni.stanford.edu

In this first episode of season 2, I talk with Emmy award winning filmmaker Maro Chermayeff. As well as directing and producing many excellent documentary films - such as Half the Sky, Hostages, and Carrier - she is also the founding partner of the global production company Show of Force and Chair of the MFA in Social Documentary at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. I talk with Maro about what it takes to become a documentary filmmaker today, as well as her work as a director, producer, and educator. The MFA in Social Documentary at the School of Visual Arts: https://sva.edu/academics/graduate/mfa-social-documentary-filmShow of Force: https://showofforce.comThank you for listening. Please subscribe to keep up to date with new episodes. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a review.“On Documentary” podcast page: www.adamjamessmithfilm.com/on-documentaryAdam James Smith's Instagram: www.instagram.com/ajsfilmContact: ajsfilm@alumni.stanford.edu

On this last episode of season one, I talk with professional documentary editor and filmmaker J. Christian Jensen. In 2015, after graduating from the documentary program at Stanford, Christian was nominated for an Academy Award for his film “White Earth." Since then, he has built a distinguished career as a documentary editor working on an array of films for various leading directors. In this episode, Christian gets into the nuts and bolts of editing and what work as an editor looks like today.  White Earth website: www.whiteearthmovie.com Scenes from the Glittering World: www.www.pbs.org/independentlens/documentaries/scenes-from-the-glittering-worldThank you for listening. Please subscribe to keep up to date with new episodes. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a review.“On Documentary” podcast page: www.adamjamessmithfilm.com/on-documentaryAdam James Smith's Instagram: www.instagram.com/ajsfilmContact: ajsfilm@alumni.stanford.edu

In this episode, I talk with Natalia Winkelman, a film critic who writes for The New York Times, as well as The Boston Globe, Slate, The Daily Beast, and IndieWire. Natalia is also a podcast producer at Campside Media, where she produced “The Plot Thickens: The Devil's Candy” for Turner Classic Movies, which was chosen as one of the best podcasts of the year by The New York Times; “Suspect” for Wondery, which was chosen as one of the best podcasts of the year by The New Yorker; and “The Wire at 20” for HBO, which won a Gold Signal Award. Natalia details how she got into film criticism and her writing process, as well as her podcasting. Natalia's website:  www.nataliawinkelman.comThank you for listening. Please subscribe to keep up to date with new episodes. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a review.“On Documentary” podcast page: www.adamjamessmithfilm.com/on-documentaryAdam James Smith's Instagram: www.instagram.com/ajsfilmContact: ajsfilm@alumni.stanford.edu

In this episode, I talk with award-winning director Rachel Fleit, who recently released “Bama Rush” on HBO Max. The film follows several young women as they prepare to participate in the sorority rush at the University of Alabama and explores what it means to belong. We talk about the production of the film and the audience response Rachel received to the film, particularly from the sorority community. "Bama Rush" on Max: https://www.max.com/movies/a309e8fd-a2d6-46a2-a8b6-4d43c2649a65 "Introducing, Selma Blair" on Discovery+: https://www.discovery.com/shows/introducing-selma-blairRachel's website: https://www.rachelfleit.com/aboutThank you for listening. Please subscribe to keep up to date with new episodes. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a review.“On Documentary” podcast page: www.adamjamessmithfilm.com/on-documentaryAdam James Smith's Instagram: www.instagram.com/ajsfilmContact: ajsfilm@alumni.stanford.edu

In this episode, I talk with Emilie Bujès, Artistic Director of  Visions du Réel, a leading documentary film festival held annually in Nyon, Switzerland. Emilie covers what it means to lead a documentary film festival, the approach to programming at Visions du Réel, her background in the contemporary art world, and some of the films she loves. Visions du Réel website: www.visionsdureel.ch/en/ Visions du Réel YouTube page: www.youtube.com/user/visionsdureelThank you for listening. Please subscribe to keep up to date with new episodes. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a review.“On Documentary” podcast page: www.adamjamessmithfilm.com/on-documentaryAdam James Smith's Instagram: www.instagram.com/ajsfilmContact: ajsfilm@alumni.stanford.edu

In this episode, I talk with filmmaker Tijana Petrovic about her new film "A Field Guide to Coastal Fortifications" that premiered earlier this year at the International Film Festival Rotterdam. We also explore Tijana's sources of inspiration, her work as a cinematographer, and her teaching. Tijana's website: www.tijanapetrovic.netThank you for listening. Please subscribe to keep up to date with new episodes. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a review.“On Documentary” podcast page: www.adamjamessmithfilm.com/on-documentaryAdam James Smith's Instagram: www.instagram.com/ajsfilmContact: ajsfilm@alumni.stanford.edu

In this episode, I talk to filmmaker Anna Moot-Levin. We explore Anna's experience working on Charles Ferguson's Oscar-winning "Inside Job" as an Associate Producer and her more recent co-directing and co-producing work in collaboration with Laura Green on "The Providers" and "Matter of Mind: My ALS" for PBS. Anna touches upon the importance of publicly funded media and the value of film education. "Matter of Mind: My ALS":  www.pbs.org/independentlens/documentaries/matter-of-mind-my-als"The Providers": www.theprovidersdoc.com Thank you for listening. Please subscribe to keep up to date with new episodes. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a review.“On Documentary” podcast page: www.adamjamessmithfilm.com/on-documentaryAdam James Smith's Instagram: www.instagram.com/ajsfilmContact: ajsfilm@alumni.stanford.edu

In this episode, I talk to Peter Nicks, Emmy Award-winner, Academy Award-nominee, and Director of recently released documentaries "Anthem" (Hulu) and "Stephen Curry: Underrated" (Apple TV +). Peter details his experience directing "Anthem" and his past work on "The Waiting Room," "The Force," and "Homeroom" (the Oakland Trilogy), as well as offering his advice for aspiring filmmakers. "Anthem": www.www.hulu.com/movie/anthem"Stephen Curry: Underrated": www.tv.apple.com/us/movie/stephen-curry-underratedProximity Media: www.proximitymedia.comThank you for listening. Please subscribe to keep up to date with new episodes. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a review.“On Documentary” podcast page: www.adamjamessmithfilm.com/on-documentaryAdam James Smith's Instagram: www.instagram.com/ajsfilmContact: ajsfilm@alumni.stanford.edu

In this episode, I talk to José F. Rodriguez, programmer at the Tribeca Festival. José unveils the process and challenges of programming for one of America's most prestigious film festivals, his background leading documentary funding at the Tribeca Film Institute, and his own work as a filmmaker.Tribeca: www.tribecafilm.comJosé on Twitter: www.twitter.com/thejoferJosé on Instagram: www.instagram.com/thejoferThank you for listening. Please subscribe to keep up to date with new episodes. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a review.“On Documentary” podcast page: www.adamjamessmithfilm.com/on-documentaryAdam James Smith's Instagram: www.instagram.com/ajsfilmContact: ajsfilm@alumni.stanford.edu

In this episode, I talk to Niels Pagh Andersen, one of the most accomplished film editors in the world. We discuss Niels' working relationship with director Joshua Oppenheimer and his work on the Oscar nominated “The Act of Killing” and Oscar winning follow up, “The Look of Silence," as well as his current work on the upcoming film “The End." Niels details his philosophy and approach to editing outlined in his book “Order in Chaos."  “Order in Chaos” book website: www.orderinchaosbook.com  “The Act of Killing” website: www.theactofkilling.com“The Look of Silence” website: www.thelookofsilence.comThank you for listening. Please subscribe to keep up to date with new episodes. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a review.“On Documentary” podcast page: www.adamjamessmithfilm.com/on-documentaryAdam James Smith's Instagram: www.instagram.com/ajsfilmContact: ajsfilm@alumni.stanford.edu

In this episode, I talk to Jane Ray, the Artistic Director of the Whicker's Foundation and head of Cat Flap Media. The Whicker's Foundation, created in memory of the late broadcaster Alan Whicker, offers some of the largest grants for independent documentary filmmakers in the world. Jane offers her advice for filmmakers applying for funding from the foundation, walks us through what it takes to build a film foundation from the ground up, and unveils her experience working for the BBC and with Alan Whicker. The Whicker's Foundation: www.whickerawards.comCat Flap Media: www.catflapmedia.comThank you for listening. Please subscribe to keep up to date with new episodes. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a review.“On Documentary” podcast page: www.adamjamessmithfilm.com/on-documentaryAdam James Smith's Instagram: www.instagram.com/ajsfilmContact: ajsfilm@alumni.stanford.edu

In this episode, I talk to filmmaker Andrew H. Brown - co-director, co-producer, cinematographer, and editor of “Between the Rains." The film won the “Best Documentary Feature” and “Best Cinematography” at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival. We talk about the lengths it took to record this excellent documentary, the challenges of editing, and what Andrew and his team hope to achieve with the film out in the world. “Between the Rains” website: www.betweentherains.comRagtag Collective: www.ragtagcollective.comThank you for listening. Please subscribe to keep up to date with new episodes. If you enjoy this podcast, please leave a review.“On Documentary” podcast page: www.adamjamessmithfilm.com/on-documentaryAdam James Smith's Instagram: www.instagram.com/ajsfilmContact: ajsfilm@alumni.stanford.edu