Top Docs: Award-Winning Documentary Filmmakers

In February 2023, Flaco, a Eurasian eagle-owl, escaped from the Central Park Zoo through a hole cut in the netting of his enclosure and soon found himself alone on a Manhattan sidewalk. But, as director Penny Lane (“Hail Satan?”, “Our Nixon”) shows in her inquisitive, insightful and irresistible documentary “Wild Inside,” Flaco would not be alone for long. Soon, he became the toast of the town, with his own devoted followers including owlers, tourists, apartment dwellers, TV late night hosts, and the news media.

 

Penny joins Ken on the pod to discuss how this enigmatic, majestic bird with the penetrating pumpkin eyes won New Yorkers’ hearts from one end of Manhattan to the other and touched off a debate about how the wild animals in our midst should be treated and protected. Penny talks about how she, a birder herself, first heard about Flaco from a filmmaker friend who happened upon Flaco on his first night of freedom, and then embarked on her own journey to tell this multi-layered story from different perspectives. Flaco’s point of view on all of this remains unknowable, but Penny succeeds wildly in illuminating how one bird can give us new eyes to see the world anew.  

 

“Wild Inside” is from HBO Documentary Films and has its world premiere in Central Park on July 29th, followed by screenings in select theaters across the U.S. See more details at FlacoDocumentary.com.

 

Hidden Gem:

“Best Worst Movie”

 

The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.

 

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It’s clear from the opening shot of “Being Eddie,” director Angus Wall’s (Oscar-winning editor of “The Social Network” “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo”) enchanting Netflix documentary about comedy superstar Eddie Murphy, that being Eddie is a pretty good gig. The film begins with a thrilling drone shot that starts from inside the Moroccan-style courtyard of Eddie’s spectacular Beverly Hills mansion and ends on a draw-dropping panoramic view of the Southern California coastline in the distance. As the shot crescendos, we hear, in voiceover, the soft spoken voice of Eddie the channel surfer as he succinctly expresses the common man’s  lament: “With all of this stuff on TV, how come there is nothing to watch?!” The juxtaposition of these elements is pure Eddie Murphy, as masterfully constructed by a two-time Oscar winning editor.

 

Angus joins Ken on the pod to talk about what it was like to hang out with Eddie in his living room and re-visit his remarkable career. But this is no self-congratulatory trip down memory lane. Eddie proves to be a soft-spoken sage whose perspective on comedy, movies, power, and life add a surprising element of gravitas to the proceedings. Or at least in the moments when he is not telling a hilarious story about Yul Brynner and an offer to “party” that took years for Eddie to unpack. The film culminates in Eddie’s triumphant return in 2019 to host “Saturday Night Live” — his first time hosting the show in 35 years. At least for one night, we can guarantee that there was something truly special to watch on TV.

 

“Being Eddie” is streaming on Netflix.

 

The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.

 

Hidden Gems:

“Restrepo”, “Senna”

 

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As Mike tells our guest, director Margaret Brown, when he heard that she had delivered HBO’s “The Yogurt Shop Murders” in the wake of what he considered one of the 21st-Century’s finest documentaries, “Descendant”,  his first thought was, “Oh, good for Margaret!  She’s doing some true crime, and she’s going to get paid.”

 

But he knew in his heart that because Margaret was the director, this would be much more than a run-of-the-mill procedural.  And in fact, the series–initially a 4-parter, but appended with a 5th episode when the case was finally and surprisingly solved–is, in many ways like Descendant, a meditation on time, place, memory and trauma.

 

Hidden Gem:
DTF St. Louis

 

The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.

 

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At the beginning of Giselle Bailey and Phil Bertelsen’s illuminating two-part HBO doc series “Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television,” the directors follow actress Tracee Ellis Ross, one of the leads of the successful sitcom “Black-ish,” to the set of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” where she and co-star Anthony Anderson celebrate the show’s series finale after 8 seasons. The triumphant ending stands in stark contrast to the way Tracee’s prior show, “Girlfriends,” was unceremoniously dropped by the network with no opportunity to shoot a finale. These experiences illustrate the highs and lows that Black Americans have experienced working within an industry that first ignored Blacks altogether and then pushed them to the side whenever it suited the networks’ whims.

 

Giselle and Phil join Ken to discuss the evolution of Black representation on TV, the hard won gains and periodic setbacks for Black creatives and the pathbreaking individuals who have ushered in a new era of Black television. Through the stories and revolutionary acts of Nichelle Nichols, Oprah Winfrey, Tyler Perry, the Wayans brothers, Shonda Rhimes, Lena Waithe, Issa Rae, and others, who took big risks by betting on themselves and being true to who they are, “Seen & Heard” shows that Black ownership and creative control are the keys to ensuring that there is no going back.

 

“Seen & Heard: The History of Black Television” is streaming on HBO Max.

 

Hidden Gems:

Giselle: “Divine Horsemen: The Living Gods of Haiti”, “Armed Only With a Camera”

Phil: “Natchez”

 

The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.

 

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Mel Brooks is about to turn 100 years old! When Mel celebrates his upcoming birthday on June 28th, filmmaker Michael Bonfiglio, who has directed (along with Judd Apatow) a joyful and action-packed two-part HBO documentary about the legendary comic and filmmaker, might want to talk to the folks at HBO about changing the title of their film: “Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!” Otherwise, I’d advise not changing a thing.

 

Joining Ken on the pod, Michael talks about how Judd’s comedic bona vides probably made the difference in convincing Mel to participate in the film. Michael, who previously teamed up with Judd to direct the Emmy-winning documentary “George Carlin’s American Dream” (check out Michael Merrill’s “Top Docs” season 2 interview with Michael), compares the two comedians and projects. We discuss what has made Mel such a special and impactful comedic force, from his homespun “2,000 Year Old Man” skit, performed with best friend Carl Reiner, to his work in early television, culminating in his breakout film career (“The Producers”, “Blazing Saddles,” ‘Young Frankenstein”, “Spaceballs,” etc.). We discuss Mel’s marriage to actress Anne Bancroft and his lingering pain since her death. Not to get too serious, Michael ends by sharing his favorite Mel Brooks moment. Lucky for us, with Mel still creatively active (“Spaceballs: The New One”!), there will no doubt be more signature Mel Brooks moments to come. Happy Birthday, Mel!

 

“Mel Brooks: The 99 Year Old Man!” is streaming on HBO Max.

 

The Presenting Sponsor of "Top Docs" is Netflix.

 

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