In this, our fourth Unfolding the Calendar episode, Film Forum programmers Sonya Chung and Mike Maggiore discuss upcoming premieres on our (now three-month!) calendar for April – June 2024. With these conversations, we hope to introduce the people behind the programming here at Film Forum – and to provide some fun inside intel and trivia along the way. Since we expanded the calendar, we have also expanded the podcast into two episodes. Look out for the second part in early May, which will feature FF Repertory Artistic Director discussing our four-week “Out of the 80s” festival (May 17 – June 13) with Richard Shepard, director of the new documentary FILM GEEK, which inspired – and will serve as the centerpiece for – the series. Please enjoy.
In this, our third Unfolding the Calendar episode, Film Forum programmers Sonya Chung, Bruce Goldstein, and Mike Maggiore provide a behind-the screens look at our February-March 2024 calendar. They discuss films and filmmakers, a little FF history, the programming process, and what they each find particularly exciting about upcoming programming. With these conversations, we hope to introduce the people behind the programming here at Film Forum – and to provide some fun inside intel and trivia along the way. Please enjoy. Chung photo by Patrick Quarterman; Maggiore photo by Robin Holland; Goldstein photo by Grant Delin.
In this, our second episode, Film Forum programmers Sonya Chung, Bruce Goldstein, and Mike Maggiore provide a behind-the screens look at our December 2023/January 2024 calendar. They discuss films and filmmakers, a little FF history, the programming process, and what they each find particularly exciting about upcoming programming. With these conversations, we hope to introduce the people behind the programming here at Film Forum – and to provide some fun inside intel and trivia along the way. Please enjoy. Chung & Maggiore photos by Robin Holland; Goldstein photo by Grant Delin.
For today’s episode, we take a turn from our usual format to bring you a sneak peek at the October-November calendar, guided by our programmers Sonya Chung, Bruce Goldstein, and Mike Maggiore. They discuss films and filmmakers, a little FF history, the programming process, and what they each find particularly exciting about the October and November offerings. With these conversations, we hope to introduce the people behind the programming here at Film Forum – and to provide some fun inside intel and trivia along the way. Please enjoy. Chung & Maggiore photos by Robin Holland; Goldstein photo by Grant Delin.
In today’s episode, we bring you a Q&A with filmmaker Mstyslav Chernov following the opening night screening of his film 20 DAYS IN MARIUPOL on July 14, 2023. Chernov is a Ukrainian video journalist for the Associated Press who captured unspeakable atrocities committed against Ukrainian civilians by Russian troops during their siege of the port town of Mariupol in Sprint 2022. This reporting, for which Chernov and his team were awarded the 2023 Pulitzer Prize for Public Service, is the basis for the film, which was produced by the AP and FRONTLINE PBS. The Q&A included the film’s editor and producer Michelle Mizner of FRONTLINE and was moderated by CNN anchor John Berman. The screening was co-presented by the Ukrainian Institute of America, with an introduction by its executive director, Lydia Zaininger. Special thanks to Mstyslav Chernov, Michelle Mizner, John Berman, Lydia Zaininger, PBS Distribution, FRONTLINE PBS, Associated Press, and the Ukrainian Institute of America for making this event possible. Photo by Elinor Kry.
In today’s episode, we bring you a Q&A with the filmmaker Lizzie Gottlieb and her father, the legendary New York writer and editor Robert Gottlieb, following the U.S. theatrical premiere screening of Lizzie’s documentary TURN EVERY PAGE: THE ADVENTURES OF ROBERT CARO AND ROBERT GOTTLIEB on December 30, 2022. TURN EVERY PAGE is a portrait of the literary partnership between Pulitzer Prize-winning author Robert Caro and Robert Gottlieb, the former editor in chief at Knopf and The New Yorker. Robert Gottlieb recently passed away at the age of 92. Gottlieb was a good friend of Film Forum, introducing and presenting many classic films here over the years, and in tribute to his memory, we’re presenting four encore screenings of TURN EVERY PAGE at the theater on June 28 and 29, and posting this previously unreleased Q&A. Special thanks to Lizzie Gottlieb, Jennifer Small, Joanne Nerenberg, Sony Pictures Classics and Falco Ink for making this event possible.
In today’s episode, we bring you a Q&A with filmmaker Amanda Kim following a screening of her debut feature NAM JUN PAIK: MOON IS THE OLDEST TV on March 27, 2023. Kim’s acclaimed documentary weaves together rare archival material, interviews with art world luminaries, and mesmerizing footage of Nam June Paik’s work to create an engrossing portrait of the artist known as the “Father of Video Art.” The event was co-presented by the Korea Society and the Asian American Artists’ Workshop, with author Mary H.K. Choi serving as moderator. NAM JUNE PAIK: MOON IS THE OLDEST TV is now playing at Film Forum. Thanks for listening to today’s episode of Film Forum Presents. Special thanks to Amanda Kim, Mary H.K. Choi, Greenwich Entertainment, Cinetic Marketing, the Korea Society, and Asian American Writers’ Workshop for making this event possible. Photo by Dora Nano.
In this episode, Film Forum Repertory Artistic Director Bruce Goldstein has an informal chat with Beatrice Welles, daughter of Orson Welles, who appeared at Film Forum in 2015 for the re-release of her father’s Chimes at Midnight. Beatrice talks about growing up with her famous father and her Italian mother, Paola Mori and shares her memories of being a 5-year-old on the set of Welles’ THE TRIAL. A stunning new 4K restoration of THE TRIAL, starring Anthony Perkins, Jeanne Moreau, Romy Schneider and Welles himself, is now playing at Film Forum through Thursday, December 22. Special thanks to Beatrice Welles and Rialto Pictures for making this episode possible.
In today’s episode, we bring you a conversation with Amir Naderi, writer and director of THE RUNNER, one of the most revered figures of the Iranian New Wave, and Madjid Niroumand, who was 11 when he played the film’s central role nearly 40 years ago. The two joined Film Forum’s repertory artistic director Bruce Goldstein for a discussion following our opening night screening of a new restoration of THE RUNNER on October 28. Released in Iran in 1984, THE RUNNER wasn’t seen in New York until 1991, when it premiered at Film Forum – and then virtually disappeared. The film, based on Naderi’s own childhood, centers on a resourceful orphan making ends meet in Abadan, a southern city on the Persian Gulf. Considered the first masterpiece of post-revolutionary Iran, THE RUNNER has been compared to the great works of Italian neo-realism, like SHOESHINE and THE BICYCLE THIEF, and Truffaut’s THE 400 BLOWS. The new restoration is now playing at Film Forum through Thursday, November 17. Special thanks to Amir Naderi, Madjid Niroumand, and Rialto Pictures for making this event possible. Photo by Dora Nano.
In today’s episode, we bring you a dynamic, thought-provoking Q&A from opening night of THE TERRITORY, the new double Sundance prize-winning documentary, on August 19, 2022. THE TERRITORY is an urgent, and immersive look inside the struggle by the Indigenous Uru-eu-wau-wau people to protect their territory in the Northern Brazilian Amazon Rainforest from invasion and deforestation. Filmmaker and cinematographer Alex Pritz spent three years embedded in the Indigenous community before ultimately turning the cameras over to the Uru-eu-wau-wau leaders to capture their own efforts, resulting in a thrilling and inspiring chronicle of agency and resistance. We were joined for the Q&A by Alex Pritz and Neidinha Bandeira, one of the fearless activists followed in the film. Bandeira has spent the last four decades advocating for Indigenous people in the region and is the founder of the nonprofit group Kandidé Ethno-Environmental Defense Association. The Q&A was co-presented by the Rainforest Alliance and moderated by their Creative Design & Editorial Lead, Michael Gibbons. Special thanks to our guests Neidinha Bandeira and Alex Pritz, translator Clicia Antunes, Michael Gibbons and Rodrigo Brandão as well as the Rainforest Alliance, Picturehouse, Fusion Entertainment, and National Geographic for making this event possible. Photo by Mike Maggiore.
In today’s episode, we bring you the fascinating discussion around our recent screening of the bold 1972 Afrofuturist science fiction film SPACE IS THE PLACE. The film, directed by John Coney, stars the iconic jazz and experimental musician Sun Ra, who also composed the film’s soundtrack and co-wrote the screenplay. The screening was co-presented by the Brooklyn Institute for Social Research (BISR), in association with Carnegie Hall’s city-wide Afrofuturism festival. We were joined for the event by two of BISR’s faculty – Ajay Singh Chaudhary and Rebecca Ariel Porte – along with the conceptual artist Paul D. Miller, also known as DJ Spooky. Special thanks to the panelists as well as Mark DeLucas at BISR, Emily Woodburne and Brian Belovarac at Janus Films, Jim Newman and Haden Guest at Harvard Film Archive, and Stephen Holl at Rapid Eye Movies for making this event possible. Photo by Stephen Olweck.
In today’s episode, we bring you a conversation from the opening night, March 4, of Sebastian Meise’s new drama GREAT FREEDOM. The film centers on an incredible performance by world cinema superstar, Franz Rogowski, as a defiant gay man imprisoned in post-World War II Germany under the draconian Paragraph 175, which outlawed homosexuality. We were joined for this event by filmmaker Sebastian Meise, star Franz Rogowski, and the acclaimed American filmmaker Ira Sachs, who served as moderator. GREAT FREEDOM is now playing. Please check www.filmforum.org for showtimes and tickets and enjoy the discussion. Special thanks to Sebastian Meise, Franz Rogowski, Ira Sachs, and MUBI for making this event possible. Pictured: Sebastien Meise, Franz Rogowski & Ira Sachs. Photo by Stephen Olweck.
In today’s episode, we bring you a conversation from the opening night, February 18, of Lisa Hurwitz’s hit new film THE AUTOMAT. The documentary explores the history and legacy of the beloved 20th-century culinary institution, Horn & Hardart, aka The Automat, with a charming mix of nostalgic archival footage, and interviews with devotees including Mel Brooks, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Colin Powell, along with former Automat employees and their families. We were joined for this event by filmmaker Lisa Hurwitz and two of the film’s subjects – longtime Horn & Hardart art director Ron Barett; and Paul Hardart, great grandson of the company’s founder, who also served as moderator. THE AUTOMAT is now playing. Please check www.filmforum.org for showtimes and tickets and enjoy the discussion. Special thanks to Lisa Hurwitz, Paul Hardart, and Ron Barrett for making this event possible. Pictured: Paul Hardart & Lisa Hurwitz. Photo by Dora Nano.
TODAY’S FROM THE ARCHIVES EPISODE FEATURES AN AUDIENCE Q&A AT FILM FORUM WITH THE IRANIAN MASTER FILMMAKER ASGHAR FARHADI FROM JANUARY 10, 2012. HE APPEARED DURING OUR PREMIERE RUN OF HIS DRAMA A SEPARATION, WHICH WON THAT YEAR’S ACADEMY AWARD FOR BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM AND ALSO GARNERED FARHADI A BEST SCREENPLAY NOMINATION. THE Q&A WAS TRANSLATED BY SHEIDA DEYANI. TODAY’S EPISODE IS PRESENTED IN ANTICIPATION OF OUR OPENING OF MR. FARHADI’S LATEST FEATURE, A HERO, ON JANUARY 7. IT WILL BE THE SIXTH OF HIS FILMS TO HAVE ITS US THEATRICAL PREMIERE AT FILM FORUM. CHECK WWW.FILMFORUM.ORG http://www.filmforum.org/ FOR SHOWTIMES AND TICKETS. SPECIAL THANKS TO SONY PICTURES CLASSICS FOR MAKING THE EVENT FEATURED IN TODAY’S EPISODE POSSIBLE.
In today’s episode, we bring you a conversation with Ryûsuke Hamaguchi from November 30, following a screening of his newest film, the critically acclaimed drama, DRIVE MY CAR. The film just won Best International Feature at the 2021 Gotham Awards, and is Japan’s official submission in the same category for the 2022 Academy Awards. The discussion was moderated by Vox film critic Alissa Wilkinson. DRIVE MY CAR is now playing. Please check www.filmforum.org for showtimes and tickets. Special thanks to Janus Films, Sideshow, Variance Films, and Cinetic Media for making this event possible.
In today’s episode, we bring you audio from the recent world premiere screening of a new 35mm restoration of HALLELUJAH!, director King Vidor’s landmark all-Black feature, the opening event of our series Nina Mae McKinney, Hollywood’s First Black Star, on November 10. The evening began with a conversation between author and film historian Donald Bogle and Bruce Goldstein, Film Forum’s Repertory Program Director, talking about Nina Mae McKinney, King Vidor, HALLELUJAH!, and the Nicholas Brothers. Following the screening, Margaret Bodde of the Film Foundation and David Pierce of the Library of Congress talked about the new 35mm photochemical restoration of the film. You can follow along with the slides referenced in the episode here: https://bit.ly/3oNfhWg. Photo by Nivia Hernandez. Our Nina Mae McKinney series continues on November 23 with the 1935 British film SANDERS OF THE RIVER, starring Paul Robeson and Nina Mae McKinney, introduced by Robeson’s biographer — and granddaughter – Susan Robeson, plus the final reel of a rare British film featuring McKinney. On November 24, an added screening of the 35mm restoration of HALLELUJAH! discussed in this episode. And on November 30, Elia Kazan’s 1949 film PINKY, with Ethel Waters and the last Hollywood appearance of McKinney. It will be introduced by Maya Cade, founder of the Black Film Archive, plus an excerpt from the rare 1935 British short BBC: The Voice of Britain, featuring McKinney, introduced by Bruce Goldstein. For full details and tickets, please go to www.filmforum.org.
In today’s episode, we bring you special events around two of our recent hit films – CHESS OF THE WIND and HIVE. First up, we were honored to have the renowned Iranian visual artist Shirin Neshat join us to introduce a screening of Mohammad Reza Aslani’s sumptuous, long-lost 1976 melodrama CHESS OF THE WIND on Sunday, November 7. Here she’s introduced by Bruce Goldstein, Film Forum’s Director of Repertory Programming. In the second segment: the opening night Q&A for Blerta Basholli’s HIVE from November 5. HIVE is an engrossing drama about a young widow overcoming tragic and oppressive circumstances in post-war Kosova, based on a true story. Popular Kosovan actress Yllka Gashi gives a fabulous, steely lead performance in the film, which was awarded the Grand Jury Prize, Audience Award and Directing Award in World Cinema Competition at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. We were fortunate to have both Basholli and Gashi join us for the Q&A, which was moderated by Vox film critic Alissa Wilkinson. The event was co-presented by the Albanian Institute New York. Special thanks to Shirin Neshat, Janus Films, Blerta Basholli, Yllka Gashi, Alissa Wilkinson, Dino Korca and Jordin Rubio at the Albanian Institute New York, Sara Sampson, Josh Haroutunian, and Zeitgeist Films for making these events possible. Our runs of both CHESS OF THE WIND and HIVE have been held over. Check www.filmforum.org for showtimes and tickets. Shirin Neshat photo (left) by Michael Dalton. Blerta Basholli & Yllka Gashi photo by Tian Feng.
In today’s episode, Film Forum presents a Q&A from the opening night of SPEER GOES TO HOLLYWOOD, on October 29th. The new documentary explores the post-war life of Albert Speer, the highest ranking Nazi to be spared the death penalty at Nuremburg, who was widely known as Hitler’s architect. After emerging from 20 years at Spandau prison with a best-selling memoir, rebranded as a “good Nazi,” Speer tried – and got shockingly close – to attaining legitimate movie stardom. The film is based on hours of audio recordings between Speer and screenwriter Andrew Birkin, who was hired by Paramount to script the film version of Speer’s life story. We were joined for the Q&A by filmmaker Vanessa Lapa and producer Tomer Eliav, moderated by Roger Berkowitz, the founder and director of Bard College’s Hannah Arendt Center. SPEER GOES TO HOLLYWOOD is now playing. Please check www.filmforum.org for showtimes and tickets. Photo by Stephen Olweck.
In today’s episode, Film Forum presents a Q&A with Robert Yapkowitz, co-director of the new documentary, KAREN DALTON: IN MY OWN TIME, about the mesmerizingly talented, and largely underrecognized folk musician Karen Dalton. The event was recorded on opening night - Friday, October 1st. Writing in The New York Times, Critic Lindsay Zoladz called Dalton “one of ’60s and ’70s folk music’s most skilled and idiosyncratic interpreters,” and writes that watching the film “feels like hanging on a porch with some of Dalton’s closest confidants… In fleeting glimpses, this long-lost musician comes vividly to life.” The Q&A was moderated by Rolling Stone associate editor Angie Martoccio.
In today’s episode, Film Forum presents a Q&A from opening weekend of the new documentary, IN BALANCHINE’S CLASSROOM, about the brilliant artistry of ballet legend George Balanchine as both a choreographer and teacher, recorded on Sunday, September 19th. Filmmaker Connie Hochman was joined by renowned Balanchine ballerina Merrill Ashley for the Q&A, which was moderated by writer Amanda Vaill. In The New York Times, dance critic Gia Kourlas wrote of the film: “To love Balanchine is to love this film; to love this film is to love ballet, specifically Balanchine’s kind and his kind of dancer: daring, fast, strong, free, at one with the music.” IN BALANCHINE’S CLASSROOM is now playing. Please check www.filmforum.org for showtimes and tickets. Photo by Nivia Hernandez.
In today’s episode, Film Forum presents a lively Q&A from the opening night of FIRE MUSIC, an engrossing chronicle of the free jazz movement. Joining us for the Q&A were FIRE MUSIC director Tom Surgal, executive producer Thurston Moore--best known as founder of the iconic band Sonic Youth--and legendary jazz drummer Warren Smith, who has played with a wide array of artists, including Sam Rivers, Charles Mingus, Janis Joplin, Van Morrison, Aretha Franklin, and Nat King Cole. In addition to his work in feature films, Tom Surgal is a celebrated music video director, jazz curator, and musician in his own right, serving as co-leader of the improvisational band White Out. Photo by Nivia Hernandez
In today’s episode, Film Forum presents a Q&A with filmmaker Bassam Tariq and star Riz Ahmed from the opening night of their acclaimed new drama MOGUL MOWGLI on September 3. In the film, Ahmed (who also produced and co-wrote the film with Tariq) gives a tour-de-force performance as a British Pakistani rapper whose successful career is threatened by a sudden illness that forces him to reckon with his own family, identity, and heritage. The Q&A was moderated by Shaka King, filmmaker of last year’s Oscar-nominated JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH.
IN TODAY’S EPISODE, FILM FORUM PRESENTS A CONVERSATION BETWEEN FILMMAKER WAYNE WANG AND NEW YORKER WRITER HUA HSU FROM THE OPENING NIGHT OF THE NEW RESTORATION OF WANG’S GROUNDBREAKING INDEPENDENT FILM CHAN IS MISSING, ON AUGUST 20TH. WHEN IT PREMIERED IN 1982 AT MOMA’S NEW DIRECTORS/NEW FILMS FESTIVAL, CHAN IS MISSING, A NEO-NOIR COMEDY-DRAMA SET IN SAN FRANCISCO’S CHINATOWN, ANNOUNCED WANG AS AN EXCITING NEW VOICE IN AMERICAN CINEMA. WANG WENT ON TO MAKE THE ACCLAIMED FILMS DIM SUM: A LITTLE BIT OF HEART AND THE ACADEMY AWARD-NOMINATED ADAPTATION OF AMY TAN’S NOVEL THE JOY LUCK CLUB, BOTH OF WHICH ALSO SCREENED DURING OUR RUN OF CHAN IS MISSING. HE CONTINUES TO MAKE VIBRANT WORK THAT CENTERS ON THE ASIAN-AMERICAN EXPERIENCE. SPECIAL THANKS TO MARCUS HU AT STRAND RELEASING, HUA HSU, AND WAYNE WANG FOR MAKING THIS EVENT POSSIBLE. PHOTO BY STEPHEN OLWECK.
In this two-part episode devoted to EYIMOFE (THIS IS MY DESIRE): a Q&A from our July 23rd opening night screening with co-director Arie Esiri and producer Melissa Adeyemo, moderated by premieres programmer Mike Maggiore; and a specially-recorded conversation between Arie, his twin brother (co-director and screenwriter) Chuko Esiri, and Film Forum outreach intern Malchijah Hoskins. EYIMOFE, the Esiri Brothers’ powerful debut feature, is a portrait of life in their native Lagos, Nigeria through the stories of two aspirational individuals navigating the vast, vibrant, and often unforgiving city. The film is now playing at Film Forum, including special screenings of a brand new 35mm print, sponsored by Blacktag and Kodak. Please check www.filmforum.org for the showtime schedule and tickets. Photo by Simi Vijay.
In this episode, Film Forum Presents a conversation around TRUMAN & TENNESSEE: AN INTIMATE CONVERSATION, a new documentary that explores the intertwined lives of, and often fraught relationship between, two icons of 20th century American literature and culture: Truman Capote and Tennessee Williams. For the event, filmmaker Lisa Immordino Vreeland was joined by actors Jim Parsons and Zachary Quinto, who perform the writings of Capote and Williams via voiceover. Their talk was moderated by Christopher Castellani, author of the prize-winning best-selling novel Leading Men, a fictionalized depiction of the relationship between Tennessee Williams and Frank Merlo. TRUMAN & TENNESSEE is now playing theatrically at Film Forum. For showtimes and tickets, please visit www.filmforum.org. This event was co-presented by the Center for Fiction (www.centerforfiction.org). Photo by Stephen Olweck.
In this episode, Film Forum Presents a conversation with Maria Sødahl, writer and director of the new film HOPE, and the film’s stars, Stellan Skarsgård and Andrea Bræin Hovig. Based on Sødahls’ real life experiences, HOPE centers on a couple played by Skarsgård and Hovig whose relationship is tested by crisis. The acclaimed drama was Norway’s official submission to the 2021 Oscars for Best International Feature Film. This episode’s event was co-presented by the Bellevue Literary Review, with editor-in-chief Danielle Ofri serving as moderator. HOPE is now playing theatrically at Film Forum and in our Virtual Cinema at www.filmforum.org. Special thanks to KimStim, Sasha Berman, Danielle Ofri and the Bellevue Literary Review for making this event possible. Photo by Agnete Brun.
In this episode, Film Forum Presents a discussion around the acclaimed new documentary WOJNAROWICZ: F**K YOU F*GGOT F**KER with director Chris McKim and editor Dave Stanke. The film explores the life, work, and legacy of visionary queer artist and activist David Wojnarowicz via a dynamic collage of clips, images, interviews, and many recordings of his own voice. It is now available for rental in our Virtual Cinema at www.filmforum.org The event was co-presented by New York City’s Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center, and moderated by the artist and activist Leo Herrera. Artwork: Untitled. Courtesy of the David Wojnarowicz Papers, Fales Library & Special Collection, New York University.
In this episode, Film Forum Presents a Q&A with filmmaker Ray Yeung about his new film, TWILIGHT’S KISS, co-presented by NewFest, New York’s leading LGBTQ+ film and media organization. TWILIGHT’S KISS is a moving, naturalistic portrait of late-in-life romance between two Hong Kong men whose relationship is challenged by social prejudices and familial expectations. The acclaimed drama is now available for rental in our Virtual Cinema at www.filmforum.org. The event was moderated by Nick McCarthy, Director of Programming for NewFest. Photo by Viola Gaskell for Zolima CityMag.
IN THIS EPISODE, FILM FORUM PRESENTS A Q&A WITH OEKE HOOGENDIJK, FILMMAKER OF THE NEW DOCUMENTARY MY REMBRANDT, MODERATED BY ADAM EAKER, ASSISTANT CURATOR, EUROPEAN PAINTINGS AT THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART. MY REMBRANDT PROVIDES A RARE GLIMPSE INSIDE THE SMALL AND ECCENTRIC WORLD OF PRIVATE REMBRANDT OWNERS – AND GIVES A FASCINATING ACCOUNT OF THE PASSION AND CONTROVERSY THE DUTCH MASTER CONTINUES TO INSPIRE NEARLY FOUR HUNDRED YEARS AFTER HIS DEATH. THE FILM IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR RENTAL IN FILM FORUM’S VIRTUAL CINEMA AT WWW.FILMFORUM.ORG http://www.filmforum.org/. PHOTO COURTESY OF STRAND RELEASING.
In this episode, Film Forum Presents a Q&A with Hao Wu, one of the three directors of the new film 76 DAYS. The Gotham Award-nominated documentary follows the doctors and patients in four hospitals across Wuhan, China in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. 76 DAYS is now available for rental in our Virtual Cinema at www.filmforum.org. The Q&A was moderated by IndieWire’s Senior Film Critic, David Ehrlich. Photo courtesy of MTV Documentary Films.