Four extraordinary artists — an older couple moving toward the end, a younger couple chronicling the journey — come together to make "Two Strangers Trying Not To Kill Each Other." Filmmakers Jacob Perlmutter and Manon Ouimet spent a year living with world famous photographer Joel Meyerowitz and his wife writer Maggie Barrett, resulting in an exquisite cinéma vérité of tremendous depth and intimacy. The filmmakers spoke with Westdoc host Chuck Braverman from their London home about their “soulful collaboration,” small light camera gear, large emotional gains, and of course, distribution. Quite a journey.

In this conversation with Westdoc’s Chuck Braverman, Annie Roney discusses her extensive experience in the documentary film industry, particularly through her global distribution company Roco Films. She elaborates on the difficult challenges faced today in documentary distribution, both foreign and domestic, the launch of the In Real Life Movie Club aimed at fostering community engagement through film, and the evolving landscape of documentary filmmaking. The feature doc “Join or Die” is the first film the non profit distributed. Roney emphasizes the importance of civic engagement and the role of documentaries in addressing social issues, while also highlighting the need for innovative distribution methods in a changing market.

Documentary filmmaker Marc Marriott directs his first scripted feature film and discusses the challenges of a very low budget and short shooting schedule. Japanese business man travels to Montana ranch and becomes a fish out of water.

A conversation with Director Yariv Mozer, Exec Producers Terry Wrong & Susan Zirinsky about the making and collecting of footage for the documentary about the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on the music festival in Israel. Available on Paramount Plus September 24, 2024.

A conversation with producer director Erik Nelson covering his documentary about John and Yoko Ono's appearance for 5 days on the Mike Douglas show in February of 1972. 

Producer Director creator David Chase interviewed on Westdoc by Chuck Braverman about the making of The Sopranos HBO two part special.

Best selling author Norman Mailer is the subject of the new Jeff Zimbalist feature documentary. Two terrific documentaries by Producer Director JEFF ZIMBALIST are being released at the same time. HOW TO COME ALIVE with NORMAN MAILER and SKYWALKERS; A LOVE STORY. 

Best selling author Norman Mailer is the subject of the new Jeff Zimbalist feature documentary. Two terrific documentaries by Producer Director JEFF ZIMBALIST are being released at the same time. HOW TO COME ALIVE with NORMAN MAILER and SKYWALKERS; A LOVE STORY. 

Both of these feature documentaries were released theatrically the same day. One in art houses, and the other in Imax and first run theaters. See our conversation on Westdoc with Jeff Zimbalist and the story of the making of these two exciting documentaries.

Lucy Walker’s heart stopping new film, Mountain Queen: the Summits of Lhakpa Sherpa, is not just about mountain climbing but about a woman who struggled with social norms, language, and personal demons to get to the top. Lhakpa Sherpa has climbed Everest a record ten times, helped others to do so, protected her daughters from abuse, all while supporting them in a country that barely values her gifts. This is an important conversation.

“This is a story about design,” says the subject of "Geoff McFetridge: Drawing A Life." He and producer/director Dan Covert speak with Westdoc about the experience of filming his life. McFetridge, who designed faces on the Apple Watch, though he doesn’t wear one himself, shares his feelings about art, money, the “danger of sincerity,” and the importance of self-awareness.

Unfinished Docs Put to Good Use as Chris Wilcha will tell you, his latest film Flipside doesn’t fit easily into an “elevator pitch.” With eyes closed, as if searching for answers, he tells Westdoc about a final reckoning with unfinished projects. Surviving the unpredictable business of film world by directing commercials, Wilcha discusses budgets, family, and the power of fate. 

Bill and Turner Ross, have been gaining momentum with feature films like "Nose Bleed and Empty Pockets," and have created a unique format with Gasoline Rainbow: semi-scripted narrative with a documentary style. Speaking to Westdoc on our latest episode published today, they discussed sharing the director’s chair, working with five, first-time actors, a long prep and a short shooting schedule, and capturing acceptable audio on the fly.

ANDREW JARECKI, producer director of THE JINX - The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst, is even more interesting than the subjects of his films. He speaks to Westdoc at length about his privileged background, an accidental entrance into filmmaking, creating and running Moviefone, and a curious incident involving Harvey Weinstein.