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EPISODE # 198 - COME WHAT MAY

Ralphie May's widow Lahna Turner produces and directs her first feature documentary. April 2024, 24 minutes Come What May begins as a film about legendary comedian Ralphie May’s weight-loss journey but evolves into something far more profound—a raw and moving exploration of addiction, love, and codependency. Through years of footage and emotional storytelling, widow Lahna Turner crafts a unique hybrid of documentary and biography that reveals the complexities behind a larger-

EPISODE # 197 - BILLY PRESTON: THAT'S THE WAY GOD PLANNED IT

This is the way Producer Director PARIS BARCLAY planned the new feature doc. Recorded March 2026, 28 minutes, Former president of the Directors Guild of America and one of television’s most prolific storytellers— an intimate, wide-ranging conversation about his latest documentary, Billy Preston: That's The Way God Planned It. We discuss Preston’s impact on the music world; his work with the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Ray Charles and Little Richard, among others; similaritie

EPISODE # 196 - THE SINGERS

Oscar nominee (one man band) producer, director, writer, cinematographer, SAM A. DAVIS creates a masterful short film. February, 2026, 25 minutes. The Singers short film is currently on Netflix and the filmmaker is interviewed by Chuck Braverman of Westdoc. In The SINGERS, a fiction film infused with documentary style, filmmaker Sam A. Davis quietly invades a broken down bar filled with broken down men, only to uncover geniuses in the rough. Without a script or even a definit

EPISODE # 195 - CUTTING THROUGH ROCKS

Oscar nominated feature documentary producer, director, editor SARA KHAKI and MOHAMMADREZA EYNI recorded February, 2026, 35 minutes. Producer/director/editors Sara Khaki and Mohammadreza Eyni speak with passion about their Oscar nominated cinéma vérité film Cutting Through Rocks, the first Iranian feature documentary to be so honored. The project, eight years in the making, follows a mid-wife in an Iranian village, who becomes the first woman elected to local office—and begin

EPISODE # 194 - Holding Liat: A Deep Dive into Documentary Filmmaking

Insights from the Kramer Brothers In this blog post, I will share insights from an interview with the Kramer brothers , filmmakers behind the Oscar-shortlisted feature documentary "Holding Liat." This interview was recorded on December 31, 2025, and lasts 46 minutes. The Origin of the Film Lance Kramer, the director, and his brother Brandon Kramer, the producer, began filming "Holding Liat" when one of the hostages from October 7th turned out to be a relative. Both brothers w

EPISODE # 193 - CLASSROOM 4 (Part 1)

Oscar short listed doc talk with Producer Director Eden Wurmfeld Jan 9, 2026 An extraordinary college‑level history class held inside an Oregon prison. Eden shares how the project began, the remarkable bonds formed between inside and outside students, and the transformative impact the experience had on everyone. This conversation offers a rare, moving look at education, vulnerability, and humanity behind prison walls—setting the stage for our special live screening and Q&A o

EPISODE # 192- Heartbeat - Oscar-Shortlisted Documentary

A Deep Dive into Heartbeat Heartbeat is an Oscar-shortlisted documentary directed by filmmakers Jay Rosenblatt and Stephanie Rapp. This film, recorded in December 2025, runs for 26 minutes. It captures the intimate journey of a couple trying to have a baby. The film sheds light on the often unspoken experiences of pregnancy and miscarriage. In a candid conversation, Westdoc host Chuck Braverman speaks with the married filmmakers. They discuss why the tapes sat on the shelf f

EPISODE #191 THE ALABAMA SOLUTION

Producers ANDREW JARECKI and CHARLOTTE KAUFMAN conversation Nov 2025. 31 mins HBO documentary The Alabama Solution exposes the brutal realities of the Alabama prison system. What begins as an exploration of resilience turns into a harrowing investigation of corruption, forced labor, secrecy, and systemic human rights violations.

EPISODE # 190 - ARMED ONLY WITH A CAMERA

Craig Renaud and Juan Arredondo documentary short, recorded November 2025, 29 mins. Documentary filmmaker Brent Renaud was the first American journalist to die while reporting on the war in Ukraine. His younger brother and collaborator, Craig Renaud, and producer Juan Arredondo recovered Brent's body and his final recordings from Ukraine and brought them back to their childhood home in Arkansas. As Brent's journey to his final resting place unfolds, this HBO film chronicles t

EPISODE # 189 - BIG ROCK BURNING

First time director David Goldblum, doc short, recorded November 2025, 26 minutes. The Palisades and Eaton fires swept through Los Angeles, destroying 16,000 homes, including 270 in Big Rock, a section of Malibu. Director David Goldblum’s film, Big Rock Burning , chronicles the horror of that event. Goldblum lived in Big Rock. He speaks to Westdoc about running for his life, the lack of water in the hydrants and the total absence of firefighters. He talks about being mentore

EPISODE # 188 CHEECH & CHONG'S LAST WESTDOC

Experienced producer, first time director David Bushell creates their Last Movie. Recorded October, 2025, 30 minutes David Bushell , whose credits include scripted films going back to “Sling Blade” and “Dallas Buyers Club,” talks to Westdoc about his first documentary, Cheech & Chong - The Last Movie , the status of independent docs, and lifting the veil on two legendary comics (the original stoners) who hold a unique place in American culture. He describes the movie-making

EPISODE # 187 PERFECT NEIGHBOR

Recoded October 2025, 25 minutes. Producer Director Geeta Gandbhir In this compelling new episode of Westdoc Online, Chuck Braverman sits down with award-winning director Geeta Gandbhir to discuss her powerful Netflix documentary The Perfect Neighbor . The film tells the tragic story of Ajike Owens, a young Black mother murdered by a white neighbor in Florida, through an unprecedented trove of police body-cam footage. Gandbhir shares how a personal connection to the victim l

EPISODE # 186 HOMELESS AND PREGNANT

First time feature director CLAIRE COLLINS on "Hollywoods' Finest," Recorded Oct 2025, 38 minutes The film follows Mackenzie, a young pregnant woman living on the streets of Hollywood, and her mother, as they navigate survival, love, and loss amid homelessness. Director Collins talks about working with the Los Angeles Times and no budget.

EPISODE # 185 Insights from the Directors of "SPEAK" on Westdoc

Behind the Scenes of "SPEAK" Director Jennifer Tiexiera and Co-Director/DP Guy Mossman share their journey in creating "SPEAK." This documentary, which runs for 28 minutes, captures the essence of Gen Z. It highlights their courage, intelligence, and humanity. The filmmakers faced a long struggle to bring this film to life. They had to navigate challenges, including working with 17 executive producers. Each producer brought unique perspectives and resources, which contribut

EPISODE # 184 AN INDEPENDENT LENS

Independent Lens Executive Producer LOIS VOSSEN recorded Sept 3, 2025. With Federal budget cuts, is PBS and Public TV Dead? Hell no! Lois...

EPISODE # 183 - A NEW KIND OF WILDERNESS

Writer Director Silje Evansmo Jacobsen conversation with Chuck Braverman, August 21, 2025, 21 minutes. What begins as the portrait of an...

EPISODE 182 - HALLELUJAH JEFF BUCKLEY

Oscar Nominee Producer Director AMY BERG recorded July 22, 2025, 28 minutes. Berg discusses her emotional journey of making the...

EPISODE 181 - PRIME MINISTER TRANSCONTINENTAL COLLABORATION

Prime Minister Directors Michelle Walshe and Lindsay Utz recorded June 3, 2025, 33 minutes Chuck Braverman speaks with filmmakers...

EPISODE #180 - PEE-WEE UNMASKED

Pee-Wee As Himself directed by Matt Wolf . Recorded June 3, 2025. 27 minutes. Director Matt Wolf takes us into the world of Pee-Wee as...

One of the Blue Dogs painted by George Rodrigue

EPISODE # 179 - THE MAKING OF BLUE DOG

Director Sean O'Malley on making his film Blue: The Art and Life of George Rodrigue and how it got on 200 PBS stations. 30 minutes...

EPISODE # 178 THE WORLD OF ROBERT GREENWALD

Robert Greenwald interviewed May 20, 2025. 33 minutes From acclaimed filmmaker Robert Greenwald — the visionary behind Outfoxed , Iraq...

EPISODE # 177 - ART FOR EVERYBODY?

Director/Editor Miranda Yousef with her first feature documentary and the up and down story of painter Robert Kindkade and his $100...

EPISODE # 176 - SONS

Set against the backdrop of his son’s first five years of life—filmmaker Justin Simms looks at modern masculinity through the lens of...

EPISODE # 175 - EMERGENT CITY FILMMAKERS

Producer Director Kelley Anderson and Director Editor Jay Arthur Sterrenberg with Westdoc host Chuck Braverman. 30 minutes, recorded...

EPISODE - # 174 THANK YOU ANDY KAUFMAN

Producer Director Alex Braverman, First Feature Documentary Recorded March 6, 2025, Andy Kaufman, Danny DeVito, Steve Martin, Bob Zmuda,...

EPISODE # 173 - MOVIES MAKING MONEY

Independent Producer Director J. Horton has made nearly 100 feature films. Recorded February 28, 2025, 38 minutes. Horton tells us his...

EPISODE # 172 - SUGARCANE

Produced and directed by Emily Kassie and Julian Brave Noisecat . Oscar nominee Best Doc Feature, 28 minutes. Recorded Feb 6, 2025...

# 171 - THE ONLY GIRL IN THE ORCHESTRA

Oscar winning documentary short by Molly O'Brien . 27 minutes Recorded February 5, 2025 In 1966, Leonard Bernstein hired Orin O’Brien...

EPISODE # 170 - THOM POWERS

DOCUMENTARY INFLUENCER A mover/shaker in the documentary world, Thom is a filmmaker, a festival programmer, co-founder of the prestigious...

EPISODE 169 - IBELIN'S REMARKABLE LIFE

Filmmaker Benjamin Ree about his latest feature documentary 'The Remarkable Life of Ibelin,' which explores the short life of Mats Steen,...

EPISODE 168A - THE BODY POLITIC FOLLOW UP

EPISODE 168 FOLLOW UP All about the money. 2nd conversation with director Gabriel Francis Paz Goodenough about how and why he ended up...

EPISODE 168 - GABRIEL AND THE MAYOR

Streaming now on Kinema, Apple TV+, Amazon, Fandango at Home, Google Play, and YouTube. Cameraman Gabriel Francis Paz Goodenough ...

EPISODE 167 - FRIDA INTIMATE DOCUMENTARY

Editor Carla Gutiérrez makes her directorial debut An intimate feature doc. Recorded December 3, 2024, 33 minutes. Mexican artist Frida...

EPISODE 166 - THE CONFUSED WORLD

ERNEST COLE: LOST AND FOUND Everything is not Black and White Producer Director Raoul Peck 32 minutes, recorded November 19, 2024....

EPISODE 165 - SUPERMAN LIVES!

Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story. Directors Ian Benhôte and Peter Ettedgui are interviewed November 8, 2024. 38 minutes...

EPISODE 164 - TWO STRANGERS TRYING NOT TO KILL EACH OTHER

World famous photographer Joel Meyerowitz and his wife writer Maggie Barrett were filmed by Co-Directors Jacob Perlmutter and Manon Ouimet...

EPISODE 163 - ANNIE RONEY - ROCO FILMS - JOIN OR DIE

ANNIE RONEY - ROCO FILMS - JOIN OR DIE The Fractured State of the Documentary film today Recorded September 30, 2024 32 minutes In this...

EPISODE 162 - TOKYO COWBOY INDIE DRAMEDY

TOKYO COWBOY Director MARC MARRIOTT How a doc filmmaker made his first scripted feature film dramedy Recorded September 28, 2024 31...

EPISODE 161 - WE WILL DANCE AGAIN

Chuck Braverman interviews filmmakers Director Yariv Mozer Exec Producers Terry Wrong and Susan Zirinsky Recorded Sept 18, 2024 32...

EPISODE 160 - IMAGINE A DAYTIME REVOLUTION

DAYTIME REVOLUTION Producer Director ERIK NELSON Recorded on September 13, 2024 41 minutes Opening theaters October 9, 2024 (John...

EPISODE 159 - ALEX GIBNEY DIRECTS - WISE GUY: DAVID CHASE AND THE SOPRANOS

BADA BING! Director ALEX GIBNEY - WISE GUY: DAVID CHASE AND THE SOPRANOS HBO original two part mini-series premiers September 7th...

EPISODE 158 - NORMAN MAILER AND SKYWALKER LOVERS

NORMAN MAILER and SKYWALKER LOVERS Producer Director JEFF ZIMBALIST- Recorded August 6, 2024. 34 minutes. Two terrific documentaries by...

EPISODE 157 - I LIKE IT HERE

I Like It Here - Ralph Arlyck producer director - Independently produced documentary, Recorded August 1, 2024. 34 minutes Veteran...

EPISODE 156 - HAPPY CAMPERS

Producer, Director, Cinematographer- AMY NICHOLSON. 27 Minutes. Both of these feature documentaries were released theatrically the same...

EPISODE 155 - MOUNTAIN QUEEN THE SUMMITS OF LHAKA SHERPA

Director Producer- LUCY WALKER. "MOUNTAIN QUEEN THE SUMMITS OF LHAKA SHERPA" 31 Minutes. Lucy Walker’s heart stopping new film, Mountain...

EPISODE 154 - GEOFF MCFETRIDGE: DRAWING A LIFE

"GEOFF MCFETRIDGE: DRAWING A LIFE" Producer Director- DAN COVERT. 33 Minutes. “This is a story about design,” says the subject of " Geoff...

EPISODE 153 - FLIPSIDE

"FLIPSIDE" Produced and Directed by CHRIS WILCHA. June 13, 2024. 38 Minutes. As Chris Wilcha will tell you, his latest film Flipside...

EPISODE 152 - GASOLINE RAINBOW

"GASOLINE RAINBOW" Written Produced Directed by THE ROSS BROTHERS. May 17, 2024. 32 Minutes. Showbiz is famous for siblings — the Coen...

EPISODE 151 - THE JINX PART 2

"THE JINX PART 2" Producer Director Writer- ANDREW JARECKI. May 5, 2024. 46 Minutes. ANDREW JARECKI , producer director of THE JINX - The...

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