Episodes

  • Shuffle

    Shuffle
    Apr 8 2026
    Benjamin Florey on 'Shuffle': Recovery, Fraud in Treatment, and Building Impact Beyond the Film The Fog of Truth returns with an interview with filmmaker Benjamin Florey about his documentary Shuffle, described as a powerful film on drug abuse and institutions that harm people through fraud in addiction treatment. Florey explains why he framed the film with his own sobriety story, citing authenticity, his relationship to participants, and work-in-progress feedback from the Austin Film Society. He discusses the emotional toll of years of editing largely alone, the support of his wife, grants and screenings, and help from an investigative journalist consultant and editors Jackie Sein and Robin Schwartz. Florey outlines resisting salacious rabbit holes, using darkly humorous, repetitive editing to reflect the absurdity and cycle of relapse, and staying in touch with participants like Corey, Nicole, and Daniel's mom. He describes growing advocacy responsibilities, screenings with Thomas McClellan at Brown, calls for reforming fee-for-service insurance toward outcomes, and plans for a university tour, virtual screenings, and eventual streaming release via stoptheshuffle.com and Instagram. 00:00 Welcome Back Intro 00:33 Film Shuffle Overview 01:34 Why I'm In The Film 04:39 Editing Through The Pain 10:11 Keeping The Story Focused 16:28 Dark Humor Editing Style 19:03 Where Are They Now 20:59 Becoming The Spokesperson 26:19 Fixing Insurance Incentives 29:20 No Talking Heads Approach 34:19 If The Film Had A Foreword 36:51 How To Watch And Support 01:34 Sobriety Framing Choice 04:39 Editing Emotional Toll 10:11 Staying On Narrative Track 16:32 Dark Humor Cut Style 19:03 Where Are They Now 20:59 Becoming The Spokesperson 26:19 Policy Fixes And Obamacare 29:20 Why No Talking Heads 34:19 Forward For The Film 36:51 Where To Watch Next 39:14 Final Thanks And Wrap
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    41 mins
  • Natchez

    Natchez
    Jan 8 2026

    Suzannah Herbert and Darcy McKinnon discusses their feature film Natchez. The story begins with a wedding invitation that sparks an exploration of how historic locations are utilized for modern purposes, leading to a road trip through the South and research into the antebellum era. Initial filming faced setbacks when access was denied by the board of a plantation, prompting a pivot to Natchez, Mississippi. The film focuses on Rev, an engaging character met during a tour, and the complex, often painful history of the South. The documentary, characterized by a visually striking style, aims to entertain while provoking thought on history, culture, and racism. It is set for theatrical release and a later broadcast on PBS.
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    22 mins
  • Fog of Truth: Ai Weiwei's Revolutionary Turandot

    Fog of Truth: Ai Weiwei's Revolutionary Turandot
    Dec 18 2025
    In this episode of Fog of Truth, Bart, John, and guest Daphne Street, an opera aficionado, discuss the documentary about Ai Weiwei's modern adaptation of Puccini's last opera, 'Turandot.' They explore Weiwei's unique interpretation, which highlights feminism and political discourse, and the challenges faced during production, including COVID-19 disruptions and Weiwei's brief incarceration. The documentary offers detailed insights into the production's visual and symbolic layers, bridging the gap between traditional opera and modern audiences. Daphne highlights Weiwei's calm and solution-oriented approach amidst obstacles, showcasing his confidence and versatility as an artist. 00:00 Introduction and Special Guest 00:37 Overview of the Documentary 01:24 Puccini's Last Opera: Turandot 03:28 I Weiwei's Unique Interpretation 04:52 The Visual Spectacle 10:21 The Impact of COVID-19 11:57 Art and Politics Intertwined 14:09 Final Thoughts and Reflections 18:42 Closing Remarks and Future Episodes
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    25 mins
  • Commune

    Commune
    Oct 10 2025

    Bart, John, and Justina Explor 'Commune': A Dive into the History and Ideals of Communal Living

    In this episode of 'Fog of Truth', the hosts delve into the movie 'Commune', a documentary made 20 years ago about a 40-year-old commune in Northern California. The film serves as a time capsule, exploring the lives of people who lived at Black Bear Ranch. The discussion explores the challenges and complexities of intentional communities, shares personal anecdotes from hosts who have lived in communes, and examines the impact of communal living on individuals' later lives. The episode also touches on the unique cultural and political context of the 60s and 70s, including how the commune's funding involved contributions from rock and roll musicians. The hosts discuss the relevance of the film in today's troubled times, the practicality of modern communes, and the documentary's anthropological significance. 00:00 Introduction to Fog of Truth 00:04 Overview of the Commune Documentary 01:29 Personal Connections to Commune Life 03:12 Challenges and Dynamics of Communal Living 04:16 Modern Reflections on Communal Living 06:35 Moral Dilemmas in the Commune 08:28 Archival Footage and Historical Context 09:49 Notable Stories and Personalities 13:43 Final Thoughts and Recommendations 18:06 Closing Remarks and Credits
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    20 mins
  • Torn

    Torn
    Sep 22 2025
    The Fog of Truth Episode 101: Interview with Nim Shapira In the 101st episode of The Fog of Truth, Bart interviews filmmaker Nim Shapira about his new documentary, which chronicles the aftermath of the October 7th attacks and the subsequent putting up and taking down of Photos of the hostages taken by Hamas,in New York City. Shapira discusses the emotional significance behind the posters put up by communities as a form of action and grief, the experiences of various individuals affected by the conflict, and the importance of empathy and dialogue. The film, shot in winter 2023, focuses on the social fabric of New York City and explores themes such as freedom of speech, diverse perspectives, and the importance of difficult conversations. Additionally, Shapira highlights the involvement of Israeli artists and shares some of the challenges faced during production. Introduction and Milestone Celebration Interview with Nim Shapira Begins Nim Shapira's Background and Initial Reactions The Documentary's Themes and Focus Artists Behind the Posters Challenges and Risks Faced Finding and Working with Documentary Subjects Emotional Anchors and Personal Stories Public Reactions and Social Impact Screenings and Audience Reactions Final Thoughts and How to Watch the Film
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    25 mins
  • Alan Govenar, and the making of " Voices in a Noisy World: the Struggle for Change in Jasper, Texas"

    Alan Govenar, and the making of " Voices in a Noisy World: the Struggle for Change in Jasper, Texas"
    Sep 15 2025

    Alan Govenar, talks about his work over the year, including his organization Documentary Arts.

    He then goes through the jounney about making this new film about Jasper Texas.
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    31 mins
  • Talking and Dancing with Doc

    Talking and Dancing with Doc
    Jul 22 2025

    John and Bart discuss three Documentaries that played at the Dancing with Film Fest in LA. The films we cover are ONE BUT MANY, FOLSOM'S RUN, and I NEED YOU: 53 YEARS OF THE BAND AMERICA. While we agree on two of the films, John and Bart have very different perspectives about America, specifically the band, not the country.
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    37 mins
  • Architecton interview with Viktor Kossakovsky

    Architecton interview with Viktor Kossakovsky
    Aug 4 2025

    An Interview with Kossakovsky about his new film Architection. The discussion goes back to the begining of cinema and how sound changed cinema language, and why archetects should use stone instead of concrete.

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    18 mins