Podcast appearances and mentions of chike ozah

In this episode, I speak with acclaimed film directors and producers Coodie Simmons and Chike Ozah. The directors share their experience putting together the three-part documentary film that has been in the making for over 20 years on the cultural zeitgeist Kanye West. Their Netflix documentary https://www.netflix.com/gh/title/81426972  details Kanye West's meteoric to fame and his recent plummet from grace. We talk about how the pair met during Kanye West in their early career and the filmmaking process for Jeen-yuhs. We also talk about: Their separate journies into filmmaking Coodie's shot at comedy Coodie starting channel zeroChike working together with Coodie & Kanye for their first music video "Through the Wire"Coodie's experience meeting Kanye's mom Kanye's drive, fearlessness, and belief in himselfLearning to be patient with your vision You can connect Coodie&Chike at https://www.instagram.com/coodierock/ and https://www.instagram.com/cozah/

Climate change is no joke, but that doesn't mean there's no hope.Kimberly Dowdell, Edward Buckles & Chike Ozah share concrete disaster preparedness tips we can use to stay ready, and share their thoughts on what our institutions should do to protect those without the means to protect themselves.Resources:Katrina Babies DocumentaryHurricane Preparedness ResourcesSocial Economic Empowerment Design (SEED) Network 

When the writer Glenn Kurtz stumbled upon an old home movie buried in his parents' closet in Florida, he inadvertently discovered a whole world that, tragically, had been nearly erased from history. Returning as a tourist in 1938 to the small village of Nasielsk outside Warsaw where he grew up, his grandfather David Kurtz brought with him a brand new 16mm Kodak movie camera. The three minutes of footage he shot there, which later turned up in the closet, are now among the only surviving moving images of any of the Polish villages destroyed in the Holocaust. Years later, the writer and critic Bianca Stigter (“Three Minutes – Thirteen Minutes – Thirty Minutes”) would see those three minutes posted on the website of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and embark on her own investigative journey. The result is the extraordinary documentary Three Minutes: A Lengthening. Joining Ken to discuss her film, which includes Kurtz' original footage, Bianca describes her creative “lengthening” process, which involved adding fascinating historical context and an almost microscopic level of detail. With very few markers, how were Glenn and Bianca able to identify people and places in the footage? Why was it so important to Bianca that viewers experience the footage actively rather than passively — and how did her filmmaking encourage that dynamic? And how did a key sequence in the film turn into an unforgettable memorial to over 150 people whose faces were captured by David Katz' camera? While nothing can bring back the Jewish community of Nasielsk, the efforts of first David, then Glenn, and now, Bianca, have at least ensured that their stories and faces will live on in our own collective memories. “Three Minutes: A Lengthening”, which is being released by Super LTD, can be seen in select theaters nationwide starting on August 26.   Hidden Gem: Rose Hobart   Follow on Twitter: @BStigter1 @topdocspod   The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix. Listen to our recent conversations with these Emmy®-nominated directors whose documentaries are currently on Netflix: Andrew Rossi on "The Andy Warhol Diaries" Coodie Simmons and Chike Ozah on "jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy" Felicity Morris on “The Tinder Swindler”

Not yet 19 years old, a young man named Bitaté Uru-eu-wau-wau is approached by an elder, who tells him, ready or not, it is time for Bitaté to become his community's new leader. With Brazil's election of a right-wing president on the horizon, bands of illegal settlers clearing forests, and the impending disaster of climate change, how in the world can Bitaté take on such a staggering responsibility? But he knows he must: the fate of not only his own small Indigenous community but of the entire Brazilian Amazon hangs in the balance. With the stakes constantly rising, first-time feature director Alex Pritz (“My Dear Kyrgyzstan”) brilliantly depicts the opposing forces at play in his urgent and stunningly beautiful documentary “The Territory” from National Geographic Documentary Films. Joining Ken to talk about the chain of events that led him to the Uru people and their threatened way of life, Alex discusses the close collaboration with the Uru community that made the documentary possible and gave shape to what it would become. How was Alex's relationship with the environmental activist Neidinha Bandeira a significant first step in developing trust with the Uru? What was the crucial suggestion from Bitaté and Neidinha that led to the film's impressively even-handed inclusion of opposing points of view? And in what ways were the composer Katya Mihailova's contributions critical to establishing the locations and building deep connections with the different people featured in the film? Depicting the highs and lows of the Uru people, “The Territory” is an unflinching look at the Amazon today and offers a cautionary glimpse of what may lie just ahead. “The Territory” can be seen in select theaters nationwide.   Hidden Gems: Cusp Mayor   Follow on Twitter: @topdocspod   The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix. Listen to our recent conversations with these Emmy®-nominated directors whose documentaries are currently on Netflix: Andrew Rossi on "The Andy Warhol Diaries" Coodie Simmons and Chike Ozah on "jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy" Felicity Morris on “The Tinder Swindler”

In the delightful and, yes, delicious CNN Original Series “Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy” the beloved actor/writer/director is constantly on the move, setting out to discover what makes each of Italy's 20 regions unique. By the end of season two, Stanley had tramped across nine of them, and along the way, sampled enough pasta and salumi to feed a small army of production assistants. London-based Ian Denyer, who came on board to direct “Venice” (for which he is Emmy®-nominated), “Umbria” and “London” for the show's second season, joined Ken for an amiable and enlightening chat about the series and the man himself. How did Ian win over Stanley in his initial Zoom interview and come to realize that a shared sensibility around dry humor would not only bind them together but infuse the second season with added flavor? How did Ian's introduction of a third camera open up new creative possibilities, as well as a tricky set of technical challenges? And, in spite of all the glorious eating and drinking, why does Stanley's primary interest with the show lie elsewhere? Whether Stanley ever actually “finds” Italy or not is beside the point. Watching these episodes — and listening to Ian's beguiling behind-the-scenes stories — you will find yourself being entertained, educated, and moved, as well as highly motivated to go searching on your own. “Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy”, which is nominated for five 2022 Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series and Outstanding Directing for a Documentary / Nonfiction Program”, can be seen on CNN.   Hidden Gem: Russia from My Window   Follow on Twitter: @topdocspod   The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix. Listen to our recent conversations with these Emmy®-nominated directors whose documentaries are currently on Netflix: Andrew Rossi on "The Andy Warhol Diaries" Coodie Simmons and Chike Ozah on "jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy" Felicity Morris on “The Tinder Swindler”

On this week's episode of 'The Cross Connection with Tiffany Cross': Former Trump officials push back on Trump's claim that he had a ‘standing order' to declassify documents he took from the White House residence. The school year has just begun, but classrooms across America face a catastrophic teacher shortage. Seventeen years later, a new documentary tells the story of the children who survived Hurricane Katrina. Plus, Tiffany speaks with directors Coodie Simmons and Chike Ozah on their Emmy-nominated documentary “Jeen-Yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy,” which follows superstar Kanye West's journey to fame. All this and more on this week's episode of ‘The Cross Connection with Tiffany Cross.'

When Claude Motley got shot… everything changed. Not just for Claude, whose jaw was shattered by a bullet fired through his car window, but for Nathan, the 15-year-old youth who pulled the trigger and for Victoria, the woman who shot Nathan when he tried to rob her, too. These tragic events in Milwaukee in 2014 unleashed a chain reaction of trauma and devastation that continues to wreak havoc on the lives of everyone involved. Brad Lichtenstein's masterfully crafted, emotionally powerful and profoundly troubling Emmy®-nominated documentary “When Claude Got Shot” explores micro as well as macro perspectives on how gun violence is impacting countless lives in America today. Joining Ken for his second Top Docs appearance, Brad (“American Reckoning,” “Ghosts of Attica”) shares the gut-wrenching experience of watching his close friend Claude go through this terrible ordeal and the conversations that led to the difficult decision to make the film. How does Claude's conflicted relationship with the city of Milwaukee play a central role in the film? What happens when Claude and his wife, determined to see that justice is done, find themselves enmeshed in a criminal justice system ill-equipped to serve the needs of communities of color? And how did Brad earn the trust of Victoria, Nathan, and Nathan's mother while they were going through one of the darkest periods of their lives? As Brad describes Claude's painful journey and his path toward forgiveness, it becomes clear that when Claude got shot, everything changed… but not all hope was lost. “When Claude Got Shot”, which is nominated for the 2022 Emmy Award for Exceptional Merit in Documentary Filmmaking, can be watched on PBS.org by those with access to the PBS Passport program.   Hidden Gem: Music for the Movies: Toru Takemitsu   Follow on Twitter: @371Productions @bradleylbar @topdocspod   The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix. Listen to our recent conversations with these Emmy®-nominated directors whose documentaries are currently on Netflix: Andrew Rossi on "The Andy Warhol Diaries" Coodie Simmons and Chike Ozah on "jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy" Felicity Morris on “The Tinder Swindler”

After pop star Britney Spears' controversial 13-year conservatorship finally came to an end in November 2021, Spears credited the #FreeBritney movement: “I honestly think you guys saved my life.” Filmmakers Samantha Stark and Liz Day also played no small role. When their documentary “Framing Britney Spears” premiered in February of that year, it sparked a flurry of international news coverage and put the spotlight on a conservatorship that seemed less about protecting Spears than it was about controlling and silencing her — and enriching her father and conservator, Jamie Spears. In the months following their film, Samantha and Liz continued to delve into the story and their September 2021 follow-up film, the Emmy®-nominated “Controlling Britney Spears” laid out even more shocking revelations. The two filmmakers joined Mike and Ken for a deep dive exploration of the ins-and-outs of the conservatorship and the mechanisms used to surveil and manipulate Spears. How is it possible that a mega superstar, who kept to a rigorous performance schedule and was raking in millions of dollars, continued to be subjected to a court-ordered conservatorship? What caused some of the key people working for Britney to break their silence and open up to the filmmakers, at their own potential legal peril? And in what ways does the stigma of mental illness play a part in the Britney Spears saga? Tune in to our conversation to hear how these two highly skilled and determined journalists/filmmakers broke this important story, which continues to resonate and reverberate well-beyond Britney herself. “Controlling Britney Spears”, which is nominated for the 2022 Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special, is available for streaming on Hulu.   Hidden Gems: Liz: 7 Up Samantha: Special Flight   Follow on Twitter: @starksamantha @LizDDay @topdocspod   The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix. Listen to our recent conversations with these Emmy®-nominated directors whose documentaries are currently on Netflix: Andrew Rossi on "The Andy Warhol Diaries" Coodie Simmons and Chike Ozah on "jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy" Felicity Morris on “The Tinder Swindler”

He pops up often in your social media livestream, appearing from just about every corner of the globe. His head bobbing up-and-down in the frame, his voice slightly frantic, he reports in real-time from the frontlines of whatever new catastrophe has left thousands – or even millions — of people in desperate need of food and to describe what's being done about it. He's world-renowned Chef José Andrés and his organization, World Central Kitchen (WCK), has become legendary for its quick response in the aftermath of fires, earthquakes, hurricanes, Covid, and, most recently, the war in Ukraine. As José says in the urgent, riveting new Ron Howard (Rebuilding Paradise, Thirteen Lives) documentary “We Feed People”, “We not only feed people. We create systems.” Ken recently spoke with the film's producer Sara Bernstein (Leave No Trace, Downfall: The Case Against Boeing) about this exhilarating Emmy®-nominated documentary and the challenge of making a film during the pandemic. How did the film's director Ron Howard encounter WCK's work first-hand and why did he keep coming back to the idea of making a film about them? Why did the film's focus shift from a verité style production to a portrait of WCK's evolution from a small band of do-gooders into the powerhouse food relief organization that it is today? And how did the film team's commitment to presenting a three-dimensional, warts-and-all portrait of José result in a more nuanced and, ultimately, more emotionally resonant and fully realized film? Join us for this Tapas-inspired dish of valuable lessons learned about food relief efforts and delicious behind-the-scenes filmmaking stories.   Hidden Gem: Navalny   Follow on Twitter: @WCKitchen @chefjoseandres @topdocspod   The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix. Listen to our recent conversations with these Emmy®-nominated directors whose documentaries are currently on Netflix: Andrew Rossi on "The Andy Warhol Diaries" Coodie Simmons and Chike Ozah on "jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy" Felicity Morris on “The Tinder Swindler”

Legendary Director Peter Jackson joins Mike to discuss the Emmy-nominated “The Beatles: Get Back”.  Peter discusses why after a career that has spanned “Heavenly Creatures,” “The Lord of the Rings,” “The Hobbit,” and “King Kong,” he turned to documentary filmmaking with "They Shall Not Grow Old." And how the techniques that he employed in turning the trenches of the First World War to life  came to be useful when faced with the 60 hours of 16mm film shot by Michael Lindsay Hogg in 1969 during the Beatles' rehearsal for and recording of “Let it Be.” Peter tells Mike about the challenges posed by the 130 hours of sound recordings, and how his team wrote custom software to isolate and clarify sound–and how this became the spine of the film.  He virtually brings us into the New Zealand editing bay with Jabez Olssen where his team (again) built new processes to make the rushes amenable to editing.  He explains to Mike why the now-famous scene of Paul creating “Get Back” was–for the sake of historical accuracy–not overly edited, and how the rooftop concert was edited in one productive week before showing it to the surviving Beatles.  And he sums up his years of daily exposure to the inner workings of the Beatles by saying that they were 4 nice boys with incredible talent who managed to find each other. “The Beatles: Get Back” is now streaming on Disney+.   Follow on Twitter: @topdocspod @jabezolssen   The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix. Listen to our recent conversations with these Emmy®-nominated directors whose documentaries are currently on Netflix: Andrew Rossi on "The Andy Warhol Diaries" Coodie Simmons and Chike Ozah on "jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy" Felicity Morris on “The Tinder Swindler”

Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. They were America's most beloved couple and Hollywood's ultimate power couple. But when the studio lights were turned off, what was it like being the “real” Lucy and Desi? How did their relationship inform everything they did — from creating the groundbreaking sitcom “I Love Lucy” to running one of Hollywood's most successful television studios? With “Lucy and Desi”, multi-hyphenate comedian-actor-producer — and now documentary director — Amy Poehler aims her prodigious talent at cracking the story of Lucy and Desi, with Emmy®-worthy results. Mike and Ken recently had the opportunity to speak with the film's Emmy-nominated editor Robert A. Martinez (“The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart”, “Pavarotti”) to discuss what it was like to sit at the controls of this refreshing, revealing and, at times, surprising portrayal of this dynamic duo. How did Amy's directorial chops drive the storytelling beyond the superficial “Wikipedia” treatment that it could easily have been given? For the filmmakers, why was it so important to lift up the accomplishments of Desi Arnaz, who, all-too-often has been overlooked in the shadow of Lucille Ball's comedic brilliance? And what did the comedic genius Buster Keaton see in Ball that enabled her, through tireless rehearsal, to develop a style of comedy that was way ahead of its time? Ultimately, “Lucy and Desi” is about neither Lucy nor Desi's individual talents, but about the magic that they created as one unit, leaving a legacy that will last as long as the human species comes factory-equipped with a funny bone. “Lucy and Desi”, which is nominated for six 2022 Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Special, is available for streaming on Amazon Prime.   Find our conversation with Mark Monroe about “The Bee Gees” here.     Hidden Gem: No No: A Dockumentary   Follow on Twitter: @topdocspod   The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix. Listen to our recent conversations with these Emmy®-nominated directors whose documentaries are currently on Netflix: Andrew Rossi on "The Andy Warhol Diaries" Coodie Simmons and Chike Ozah on "jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy" Felicity Morris on “The Tinder Swindler”

“Nazaré”. To those who follow the world of big wave surfing, the word speaks for itself. A once sleepy fishing village on the coast of Portugal, Nazaré has now become one of the world's preeminent big wave surfing spots. It's also the most likely future location for that most elusive of all surfing dreams: the 100-foot wave. As the hunting ground of legendary surfer Garrett McNamara, Nazaré plays a starring role in the thrilling six-part, Emmy®-nominated HBO series “100 Foot Wave” directed by Chris Smith (“Tiger King”, “American Movie”). “100 Foot Wave” Executive Producer Joe Lewis (“Fleabag”, “Transparent”) recently sat down with Ken to plunge beneath the surface of the film team's creative process. How did a conversation with his wife about a distant relation by marriage lead Joe to Garrett McNamara, who spent years working with local officials to put Nazaré on the map of big wave surfing? How did the filmmakers go from thinking they were pitching a feature film to making a six-part series that is now well on its way to a second season? And what was it like collaborating with Garrett and his wife Nicole, whose one condition was, “We don't want to make a surf movie”? You've heard it a million times: it's the journey that counts. But, if the waves break just right, you can be sure that Garrett or one of his cohorts will be there at Nazaré to catch that 100-foot wave. Please join us as we explore this incredible journey with Joe. It's the most fun you can have while staying dry.   Hidden Gems: Sub Eleven Seconds Vernon, Florida   Follow on Twitter: @JoeLewis @topdocspod The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix. Listen to our recent conversations with these Emmy®-nominated directors whose documentaries are currently on Netflix: Andrew Rossi on "The Andy Warhol Diaries" Coodie Simmons and Chike Ozah on "jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy" Felicity Morris on “The Tinder Swindler”

Racking up win after win, Mack Beggs is well on his way to an undefeated season and a second consecutive Texas state high school wrestling crown. But, far from being recognized as the top athlete that he is, Mack finds himself the target of criticism from parents, social media trolls and national commentators. As a young trans man, Mack wants nothing more than the opportunity to compete against other young men. But Texas law prevents this, and so Mack has no choice but to take on not only his female competitors but also the kind of vicious discrimination that is regularly inflicted against young trans athletes throughout the country. In their standout Emmy®-nominated documentary “Changing the Game”, director Michael Barnett (“Superheroes”) and producers Clare Tucker (“The Mars Generation”) and Alex Schmider (“Disclosure”) follow Mack's victories and struggles along with two other courageous trans athletes: Sarah, a skier and activist in New Hampshire, and Andraya, a track star in Connecticut. Joining Mike and Ken to talk about their game-changing documentary, Michael, Clare and Alex discuss the challenges of making a film about trans athletes in the context of a fraught political context. What led Michael and Clare to invite Alex, the Director of Transgender Representation at GLAAD, to join the creative team as producer, and how did their collaboration benefit the film in multiple ways? Why was it a priority for Michael that the cinematic quality of the film match the visual standards of a Nike ad? And what was the toughest scene, emotionally, to include in the film, and why was it so important for people to see it? Join us for this illuminating conversation with three filmmakers determined to go to the mat to “give these young athletes their stories back”. “Changing the Game” is currently streaming on Hulu.   Hidden Gems: Michael Barnett, Stay on Board: The Leo Baker Story Clare Tucker, A Thousand Cuts Alex Schmider: No Ordinary Man   Follow on Twitter: @ChangingGameDoc @anderfinn @topdocspod   To get involved:  TheTrevorProject.org   The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix. Listen to our recent conversations with these Emmy®-nominated directors whose documentaries are currently on Netflix: Andrew Rossi on "The Andy Warhol Diaries" Coodie Simmons and Chike Ozah on "jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy" Felicity Morris on “The Tinder Swindler”

With 55 million matches to date, Tinder advertises itself as the world's most popular dating app. But, back in 2019, it was one match in particular — between a Norwegian woman living in London and a charming, self-described “Prince of Diamonds” — that became a viral sensation. It turned out that “Simon Leviev” was no prince, but a convicted con artist who used Tinder to woo a series of women in an elaborate Ponzi scheme that left them emotionally devastated and thousands of dollars in debt. In the thrilling and eye-opening Emmy®-nominated Netflix documentary “The Tinder Swindler”, filmmaker Felicity Morris (“Don't F**k With Cats”) deftly tracks the story of three courageous women who went public with their stories of being conned by Leviev and sought their own measure of sweet justice.  Talking to Mike and Ken from her home base in London, Felicity gives her inside take on the swindle and on the making of the film. How did Simon go beyond the conventions of a more traditional con to create such a successful emotional one? How was the story of Ayleen Charlotte, a Dutch woman defrauded by Simon, the key to unlocking the film's third act? And why does Felicity think that “The Tinder Swindler” — Netflix's most popular documentary of all-time when it launched — resonates so deeply with people? Answers to these questions and more can be found in our podcast interview with Felicity. Just remember to “press play” rather than to “swipe right”. “The Tinder Swindler” is currently streaming on Netflix. You can also learn more on Felicity's podcast, “The Making of a Swindler”, available on “You Can't Make This Up”.   Hidden Gem:  “'Twas the Fight Before Christmas”   Follow on Twitter: @fliss_morris @topdocspod   The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix. Listen to our recent conversations with these Emmy®-nominated directors whose documentaries are currently on Netflix: Andrew Rossi on "The Andy Warhol Diaries" Coodie Simmons and Chike Ozah on "jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy" Felicity Morris on “The Tinder Swindler”

Coined by a Harvard psychologist in the 1980s, the “Martha Mitchell Effect” describes a process in which a person's beliefs are initially labeled as delusional but later turn out to be true. But who was the real Martha Mitchell? What were her claims about Watergate? And why, until now, has she been largely erased from our collective memory? Opening up to Ken about their riveting all-archival documentary short “The Martha Mitchell Effect”, filmmakers Anne Alvergue and Debra McClutchy describe how they set out to widen the lens on Watergate beyond “All the President's Men” to include the key perspective of Martha Mitchell, wife of former Attorney General and Nixon campaign chief John Mitchell. Dismissed at the time as being crazy and a drunk, Martha was, in fact, the victim of a well-planned gaslighting campaign hatched by Nixon, his top aides and even her own husband. Stunning in its revelations and highly immersive in its creative approach, this powerful film will no doubt leave you with a new perspective on those dark days of American history. Speaking truth to power tends to have that effect on people. “The Martha Mitchell Effect” is now streaming on Netflix.   Hidden Gems: Debra: “More Than I Remember” by Amy Bench Anne: “Deerwoods Deathtrap” by James P. Gannon   Follow on Twitter: @themarthafilm @anne_alvergue @topdocspod   The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.  Listen to our recent conversations with directors whose documentaries are currently on Netflix: Rory Kennedy on "Downfall: The Case Against Boeing" Andrew Rossi on "The Andy Warhol Diaries" Coodie Simmons and Chike Ozah on "jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy"

We brought some of the biggest disruptors in film to the stage for our Roots Picnic live podcast set: the directing duo Coodie & Chike and writer J. Ivy— the filmmakers of the critically acclaimed documentary series' Jeen-Yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy'! ‘Jeen-Yuhs' is one of the most watched documentaries of the year so in this episode we interview Coodie Simmons, Chike Ozah, and J. Ivy Richardson to talk about their beginnings, their creative journeys leading up to this moment, their inspirations, and what's next. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ditc/support

Sha'Carri Richardson is fast. Really, really, really fast. At the 2021 U.S. Olympic trials, Sha'Carri, only 21 at the time, ran the 100-meter finals in 10.84 seconds, more than a tenth of a second faster than her closest competitor. In “Sub Eleven Seconds”, his artfully crafted documentary portrait of this superstar athlete at a moment of peak performance, the director Bafic captures Sha'Carri's split-second athletic brilliance, refreshing honesty and totally original style. As part of our focus on NextGen filmmakers — up-and-coming talents in the documentary world — “Top Docs” is pleased to be partnering with the 28th Palm Springs International ShortFest  (June 21 – 27) to feature several filmmakers with outstanding documentary shorts in this year's festival. In this episode, Ken and Bafic explore a wide range of filmmaking topics, from the lessons the filmmaker gleaned from Francis Ford Coppola about identifying the core idea of one's film (in this case, time itself); to Errol Morris's famous interviewing device, the Interrotron; and the huge influence of the Texas-based music genre “chopped and screwed” on the film's most critical sequence. “Sub Eleven Seconds” screened as part of the ShortFest documentary shorts block called “Truth Be Told”. Check out the film at NewYorker.com or YouTube and then take the time to listen to our podcast.   Hidden Gem: Lock Off by Akwasi Poku. Follow us on Twitter: @BAFIC @itskerrii @topdocspod The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.  Listen to our recent conversations with directors whose documentaries are currently on Netflix: Rory Kennedy on "Downfall: The Case Against Boeing" Andrew Rossi on "The Andy Warhol Diaries" Coodie Simmons and Chike Ozah on "jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy"

In a small town in India, a cow vigilante group seeks to recruit teenage boys to join its ranks. Who are these so-called cow vigilantes and how are they using the welfare of the cow, which is sacred to India's majority Hindu population, to fan the flames of nationalist extremism? In Varun Chopra's fascinating, multifaceted and provocative new short documentary “Holy Cowboys”, the filmmaker follows Gopal and his friends as they come under the powerful influence of one such group that, in the name of protecting cows, espouses violence against those, including Muslims, who do not share their beliefs and practices. As part of our focus on NextGen filmmakers — up-and-coming talents in the documentary world — “Top Docs” is pleased to be partnering with the 28th Palm Springs International ShortFest (June 21 – 27) to feature several filmmakers with outstanding documentary shorts in this year's festival. In this episode, Ken talks to Varun about his nuanced, inventive portrait of Gopal and the larger cultural, political and economic context surrounding his story. “Holy Cowboys” is part of the documentary shorts block called “Higher Ground” screening Saturday, June 26th at 10:00 AM at the Camelot Theatres, Palm Springs. For more information about ShortFest and “Holy Cowboys”, please go to: https://psfilmfest.org/2022-shortfest   Short doc recommendation: “A Broken House” by Jimmy Goldblum The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.  Listen to our recent conversations with directors whose documentaries are currently on Netflix: Rory Kennedy on "Downfall: The Case Against Boeing" Andrew Rossi on "The Andy Warhol Diaries" Coodie Simmons and Chike Ozah on "jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy"

Like a freshly sculpted work of clay, director Rebeca Huntt's stunning documentary debut BEBA captures in real-time her family's fluid interpersonal dynamics; the complicated legacies of inherited national, ethnic and racial identity; and her own brewing caldron of coming-of-age dramatics. To call it a “personal film” is both a wild understatement and a reductive miscalculation: “BEBA”, for all its personal complexities, is a profound spiritual quest intended to stir existential questions in the audience and provoke a deep dialogue. Shot in vivid and pulsating 16mm film, “BEBA” is also a feast for the senses and a fever dream for the imagination. In short, it is a film to be reckoned with — and not to be missed. Fresh off the film's Tribeca Film Festival screening in her hometown of New York City, which plays a starring role in the film, Rebeca shares with Ken her searching personal journey and eight-year creative quest to bring “BEBA” to life. What was the “meta” experience like of making a film about her life, while at the same time living in the day-to-day? How did the probing interviews that she conducted with her family reveal fascinating truths, but also bring simmering tensions to the surface? Why was film the perfect medium to express everything that she was experiencing and wanted to convey? Join us as Rebeca sheds light on “BEBA”, both the film and the person, two powerful creative forces in the universe. “BEBA” is being released in theaters by NEON starting on June 24th.   Hidden Gem: “Finding Christa”, “Suzanne, Suzanne”; both by Camille Billops Follow on Twitter: @topdocspod @filmbeba The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.  Listen to our recent conversations with directors whose documentaries are currently on Netflix: Rory Kennedy on "Downfall: The Case Against Boeing" Andrew Rossi on "The Andy Warhol Diaries" Coodie Simmons and Chike Ozah on "jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy"

A phone call between mother and daughter. A bad dream. Home movies. Seems simple, yet Ash Goh Hua's short documentary “The Feeling of Being Close to You” expertly navigates physical and emotional space to provide a compelling, affecting story of attempted reconciliation. “The Feeling of Being Close to You” will play at the The Palm Springs International ShortFest as part of the “In Search of Lost Time” series on Thursday, June 23rd 2PM, at the Camelot Theatres (Palm Springs Cultural Center).  We are delighted to be partnering with Shortfest to promote promising NextGen filmmakers. And if you can't make it to Palm Springs, on June 25th it will play Brooklyn's BAM CinemaFest.   Hidden Gem:  Learning Tagalog with Kayla Follow on Twitter: @topdocspod   The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.  Listen to our recent conversations with directors whose documentaries are currently on Netflix: Rory Kennedy on "Downfall: The Case Against Boeing" Andrew Rossi on "The Andy Warhol Diaries" Coodie Simmons and Chike Ozah on "jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy"

Hollyn and Colie are range riders. Every day during the summer, these highly skilled hired hands ride their horses across the remote, rugged Idaho mountains, pushing cows across sky-high ridges to their final destination. It's hard work for low pay, but the rewards are plentiful: the thrill of the open range, the symbiotic relationship with their animals, and, not least of all, the close bond of friendship with each other. In her magical new documentary “Bitterbrush”, Emmy®, Peabody and Sundance Award-winning filmmaker Emelie Mahdavian (producer/writer/editor, “Midnight Traveler”) poetically and precisely captures the sights, sounds and timeless rhythms of this fiercely beautiful landscape. She also shows us, as few have before, the mutual love and support (and humor) that can happen between two women who care for each other as much as the land that will always be home. Joining Ken for a wide-ranging conversation, Emelie describes how, living in this part of Idaho herself, she came to meet Hollyn and Colie and embark on this unique cinematic journey. In what ways did she avoid the clichés and tropes of the Western genre to forge her own narrative path? How did she and her cinematographers develop the right camera rigs to shoot images both awe-inspiring and intimate in such a challenging environment? And how did a magnetic 12-minute scene reveal as much to Colie about herself as it did to those watching? Saddle up and come along for this fascinating conversational ride. “Bitterbrush” is being released in theaters by Magnolia Pictures starting on June 17th.   Hidden Gem:  Listening to Kenny G   Follow on twitter: @bitterbrushdoc @topdocspod   The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.  Listen to our recent conversations with directors whose documentaries are currently on Netflix. Rory Kennedy on "Downfall: The Case Against Boeing" Andrew Rossi on "The Andy Warhol Diaries" Coodie Simmons and Chike Ozah on "jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy"

Long before Kanye West became one of the most famous people on the planet, he was a 19-year-old up-and-coming producer of beats trying to make a name for himself in the local Chicago rap scene. Enter comedian Coodie Simmons, host of a local cable access show, who — taking inspiration from the landmark documentary “Hoop Dreams” — decided to turn his camera full-time on Kanye, sensing the young rapper had what it took to make it big. Now, 24 years and over 300 hours of footage later, Kanye is a household name and Coodie's dreams for creating an epic documentary have also come true. Directed by Coodie and his longtime collaborator Chike Ozah, the new three-part Netflix docuseries, “jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy” is an unprecedented, longitudinal portrait of a huge global superstar that tracks, in real-time, Kanye West's rise to — and struggles with — fame. Joining Ken for a wide-ranging conversation about their remarkably intimate and beautifully crafted documentary, the captivating duo of Coodie & Chike (“Benji”, “A Kid from Coney Island”) take us on the long, winding journey that led from the streets of Chicago into the recording studios of New York City and LA, and, eventually, as Kanye became a global phenomenon, to such places as the Dominican Republic and China. What is it like to have Kanye's mother embrace you as a member of her own family — and then to have to face the wrenching task of putting together a memorial video of her life when she dies suddenly just a few years later? How does one make the hard decision, after filming one's “young brother” for decades, that, in certain uncomfortable situations, turning off the camera may be the right call? And, ever the comedian, why did Coodie think the comedic device of the “callback” would be the perfect way to make Kanye West's retainer (yes, the budding rap star wore a retainer) one of the film's most memorable recurring bits? As Coodie says in the documentary, “Everything happens for a reason.” “jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy” is currently streaming on Netflix.   Hidden Gems: Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling The Gods Must Be Crazy

On today's episode, we welcome the filmmaking team behind the new 3-part documentary about Kanye West from directors Coodie Simmons & Chike Ozah, which debuted at this year's Sundance Film Festival and is https://www.netflix.com/title/81426972 (now available on Netflix). This film features some of the most intimate and vulnerable footage you may ever see of the iconic and enigmatic hip-hop star. It's clear that Kanye gave the filmmakers not just unprecedented access to his personal life, but also a great deal of his trust. "Kanye was always my brother. We had like 500 hours of footage on Kanye, but it was years of us being connected, you know what I mean? So it was more than just filming... It was a relationship. He was definitely a little brother, which I always wanted. I think I found a little brother in Kanye." — Coodie Simmons, Co-Director, "jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy" Joining the conversation is re-recording mixer Paul Hsu, to tell us how he crafted such an incredible soundtrack, often from single audio sources and decades-old videotapes. Please subscribe to Sound + Image Lab: The Dolby Institute Podcast https://linktr.ee/dolbyinstitute (wherever you get your podcasts). You can also check out the https://youtube.com/dolby (video) for this episode. Learn more about the https://www.dolby.com/institute/ (Dolby Institute) and check out https://www.dolby.com/ (Dolby.com). Connect with Dolby on https://www.instagram.com/dolbylabs/ (Instagram), https://twitter.com/Dolby (Twitter), https://www.facebook.com/Dolby/ (Facebook), or https://www.linkedin.com/company/6229/ (LinkedIn). 

Today's documentary is jeen-yuhs, about Kanye West, released in 2022, directed by Coodie Simmons and Chike Ozah. For this episode we are joined by Very Special Guest and OG Rock Docker Nick McCann. Talk with him about Kanye @nicholas_mccann "jeen-yuhs" is a 4.5 hour long, 3 part series about (Parts 1 & 2) the early, pre-fame days of Kanye's career and (Part 3) what's happened with Kanye, and what happened to his friendship with co-director Coodie, over the last 15 years or so. Who is the real star of the movie, and do the directors stick the landing in the end? Rock Docs is hosted by David Lizerbram & Andrew Keatts Twitter: @RockDocsPod Instagram: @RockDocsPod Cover Art by N.C. Winters - check him out on Instagram at @NCWintersArt

We have an action packed show today featuring filmmakers Coodie Simmons and Chike Ozah, the team behind Kanye's JEEN-YUHS on Netflix! Plus Seann William Scott discusses being a millennial heartthrob, plus his new tv show!

Directors Clarence "Coodie" Simmons and Chike Ozah have spent years --- for Simmons, over two decades-- following and filming polarizing rapper Kanye West, beginning with his early days as a producer in Chicago to his rise to fame, and then to infamy. But through it all, one thing comes through--- Kanye's undeniable talent. Simmons and Ozah join us to discuss the resulting three part docuseries, "jeen-yuhs: a Kanye Trilogy" available to stream now on Netflix. This episode is guest-hosted by Kerry Nolan.

From rebuking Pres. Bush over Hurrican Katrina, to backing Pres. Trump, to mounting his own brief run for President, Ye (formerly Kanye West) has made himself a controversial, unavoidable part of American politics, music, culture, fashion, social media, and business for decades. Two of his oldest collaborators and friends, Coodie Simmons and Chike Ozah, explain their belief and fascination in the artist and billionaire entrepreneur Ye -- even amidst some disagreements over politics, values, and business -- as they unveil one of the most unusual, long-running documentaries ever made, Netflix's "jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy." The new film draws on hundreds of hours of previously unseen footage, 20 years in the making, which began when Simmons decided to devote years to filming a then-unknown music producer. In one of the most extensive, in-depth interviews about the project, Simmons and Ozah talk with MSNBC anchor and music obsessive Ari Melber about Ye; his relationship with them, other artists and his mother Donda - whom they knew well; the complex backstory of the project; the racial dynamics that Ye faced in the industry; their discussions about Drake narrating the film; how anyone can tap the lessons of passion and a "genius" mindset; and, on a lighter note, the way a young Ye's retainers figured into his early years. Ye is a complex artist and person who has proven controversial, maddening, gifted, and inspiring to so many people around the world. This bonus podcast explores some of the reasons for that, with people who have studied his life and work. 

Ye's early journey into the music industry and his ride to greatness is inspirational. Support our show at the links below: Our show is 100% listener supported. If you've gotten anything out of the show please consider supporting Ignite Your Acting Career at https://patreon.com/igniteyouractingcareer or Cash App - https://cash.app/$faucettemedia or $faucettemedia in your app. Clarence "Coodie" Simmons is a believer. Simmons believed a young music producer and aspiring rapper named Kanye West was going to be a star. The filmmaker believed God was directing his life when he upended it to follow West, now Ye, from Chicago to New York City to film the musician's rise. Simmons still believes, even as things have gotten messier and more complicated since West reached the top. "I always believed his purpose would take him to these heights. Motivated by faith, we climbed together," Simmons says in the resulting three-part docuseries, "jeen-yuhs: A Kanye West Trilogy," he directed with Chike Ozah. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/igniteacting/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/igniteacting/support

Whether it's a public feud with ex-wife Kim Kardashian, impromptu speeches during a problematic, and confusing, presidential run, or a traveling album rollout, Kanye West is always in the news. For most of Ye's polarizing music career, controversy, scrutiny, and art have gone hand in hand. But there was a time before Kanye West was a household name. Back in 2000, he was a Chicago music producer trying to break into the rap game. This is where the Netflix documentary “jeen-yuhs: A Kanye trilogy” begins. Directors Clarence “Coodie” Simmons and Chike Ozah intimately chronicle Ye's slow and uncertain climb to fame, his relationship with his late mother Dr. Donda West, and the of arc of his 20-year career. Host Jacoby Cochran talks with music and culture writer Britt Julious about the nostalgia and disappointment present in “jeen-yuhs” and also its subject. Guest: Britt Julious — Music and culture writer Follow us on Twitter: @CityCastChicago Sign up for our newsletter: chicago.citycast.fm Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Coodie Simmons & Chike Ozah on Breaking it Down with Frank MacKay - Kanye & Ali Documentarians by Frank MacKay

On today's What to Watch: Paramount+ revealed a bunch of series renewals and updates, including another Yellowstone prequel series, a third season of The Challenge: All Stars, RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars 7, renewal for Halo, and cast news about the Teen Wolf movie. The 21-years-in-the-making docuseries jeen-yuhs: The Kanye Trilogy debuts, and co-director Chike Ozah discusses the many obstacles Kanye faced growing up; Dr. Jen reveals marital strife to the other women on The Real Housewives of Orange County; and on TLC, doctors are helping patients who have things Stuck in them. Dr. Pimple Popper herself, Sandra Lee, tells us about the show she's watching and loving. Plus, other entertainment headlines — including Showtime's focus on Facebook for the second season of its new series Super Pumped, and the three women named as hosts for this years Oscars — and trivia. More at ew.com, ew.com/wtw, and @EW. Host: Gerrad Hall (@gerradhall); Editor/Producer: Joshua Heller (@joshuaheller); Writers: Tyler Aquilina (@tyler_aquilina) and Calie Schepp; Executive Producer: Chanelle Johnson (@chanelleberlin). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Worst Person in the World star Anders Danielsen Lie talks about splitting his time between acting and medicine — and why he doesn't feel the need to pick one path. Jeen-Yuhs directors Clarence "Coodie" Simmons and Chike Ozah discuss their decades-long journey documenting the life of Kanye West. Artist Susete Saraiva takes us inside the world of building miniatures as she competes against other tiny house architects on CBC Gem's new reality series, Best in Miniature. Filmmaker Valérie Lemercier talks about writing, directing and starring in the new unauthorized Céline Dion biopic, Aline.

Episode 97: Sundance 2022 #4 with Beatrice Loayza (Dos Estaciones, Speak No Evil, Brainwashed, jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy) Welcome to The Last Thing I Saw. I'm your host, Nicolas Rapold. The Sundance Film Festival is here, there, and everywhere this year, screening in a virtual edition. For this episode, I chat with Beatrice Loayza, a New York Times contributor and an editor at the Criterion Collection, about her recent Sundance selections, her favorites and her not-so-favorites. We talk about Juan Pablo González's Dos Estaciones, Christian Tafdrup's Speak No Evil, Nina Menkes's Brainwashed, and jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy, from Clarence “Coodie” Simmons and Chike Ozah. If you listen to this, please support the production of this podcast by signing up at: rapold.substack.com Music: “Tomorrow's Forecast” by The Minarets, courtesy of The Minarets Photo by Steve Snodgrass