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Artwork for Pure Nonfiction: Inside Documentary Film

Pure Nonfiction: Inside Documentary Film

Pure Nonfiction
Anand Patwardhan
The World Is Family
Albert Brooks
Nature
Hindu Fundamentalism
Indian Independence
Dalit Community
Freedom Of Expression
Censorship
Toronto International Film Festival
Documentary Filmmaking
The Mother Of All Lies
Israel-Palestine Conflict
1968 Student Protests
Columbia University
Three Promises
The Tonight Show
Songs Of Earth
G20
Indiewire

If you love documentary films, hear from the top storytellers on Pure Nonfiction. Host Thom Powers is well-connected in this world as a documentary curator for the Toronto International Film Festival, DOC NYC, and SundanceNow Doc Club. He leads conversations that are frank, funny and revealing. Listen to interviews with Oscar-winning filmmakers Barbara Kopple, Alex Gibney, and Roger Ross Williams;... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes236Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentaryTV & FilmSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Pure Nonfiction: Inside Documentary Film

Latest Episodes

"Songs From the Hole," now playing on Netflix, won the SXSW Audience Award and the Blackstar Jury Prize for its artful approach to telling a story about solitary confinement. "It's eye-opening in a way you may have forgotten your eyes could still be ... more

YouTube

Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady have been making films as a team for over 20 years. They have a fierce dedication to the art of observational documentary, even as that form becomes harder to finance. Among their celebrated titles are One of Us, 12th & D... more

YouTube

Our Emmy contender conversations conclude with a look at three stand out biographies. Host Thom Powers interviews these directors: R.J. Cutler on "Martha" (Netflix) David Gelb with cinematographer Adam Bricker on "Chef's Table: Legends" (Netflix) Lau... more

YouTube

Thom Powers hosts conversations on three Emmy contenders: "Will & Harper" (Netflix) with participant Harper Steele "Social Studies" (FX) with director Lauren Greenfield and participants Sydney Shear, Dominic Brown, Jonathan Gelfond "Chimp Crazy" (HBO... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

RJ Cutler
Filmmaker known for directing documentaries such as 'The September Issue' and 'Billy Eilish: The World's a Little Blurry'. He directed the documentary about Martha Stewart.
Netflix
Episode: 226: Martha Stewart, Alice Waters, John Williams
David Gelb
Director known for his work on 'Chef's Table', which showcases chefs and their culinary approaches.
Netflix
Episode: 226: Martha Stewart, Alice Waters, John Williams
Laurent Bouzereau
Director and producer known for his documentaries exploring cinematic icons.
Disney Plus
Episode: 226: Martha Stewart, Alice Waters, John Williams
Harper Steele
Comedian and writer, known for her work on Saturday Night Live.
Netflix
Episode: 225: Will & Harper, Social Studies, Chimp Crazy
Lauren Greenfield
Documentary filmmaker focusing on social media's impact on youth.
FX
Episode: 225: Will & Harper, Social Studies, Chimp Crazy
Eric Goode
Documentary filmmaker and animal welfare advocate.
HBO Documentary Films
Episode: 225: Will & Harper, Social Studies, Chimp Crazy
Jeremy McBride
Documentary filmmaker involved with 'Chimp Crazy'.
HBO Documentary Films
Episode: 225: Will & Harper, Social Studies, Chimp Crazy
Michelle Khare
YouTube creator known for her participatory documentary series Challenge Accepted.
YouTube
Episode: 224: Emmy contenders
Lance Oppenheim
Director known for his films on social themes, including Some Kind of Heaven.
HBO
Episode: 224: Emmy contenders

Host

Thom Powers
Host of Pure Nonfiction, skilled in facilitating in-depth discussions with filmmakers and industry professionals, providing unique insights into documentary filmmaking and storytelling processes.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 253 ratings
  • The best interviewer!

    Thom knows so much and knows just what to ask to get the story behind the story. Awesome show.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RFF_RFF
    United States3 years ago
  • Obsessed

    Thom is my hero. As well as the incredible filmmakers he artfully interviews.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    gabyown
    United Kingdom4 years ago
  • The best!

    The best documentary podcast. Love the stories. Would love to hear from less well known docs too including shorts. Thanks for your hard work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JJ8757686
    United States6 years ago
  • A must-listen for any doc enthusiast

    I like all kinds of films, and there are MANY film podcasts to choose from. But if you LOVE documentaries as I do, Thom Powers’ PURE NONFICTION is one of the few podcasts (the only one?) that focuses on documentary films. Powers interviews superb filmmakers, both new and familiar, and often highlights docs before they find distribution. This is an excellent show, and with documentaries appearing to be increasingly popular, here’s hoping PURE NONFICTION will increase in popularity, too.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    CDMatthew
    United States7 years ago
  • WOW

    I found this on new and noteworthy and listened because I like true crime and true crime documentaries. This was a really great look at the filmmaking side and I am going to keep listening even to the episodes that are about people who don't do true crime shows.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AnsonPtson
    United States7 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the host's ability to ask insightful questions that uncover deeper stories.
High-quality interviews with engaging filmmakers that reveal the intricacies of the documentary process.
The podcast is a go-to resource for both aspiring filmmakers and documentary enthusiasts alike, valued for its depth and expertise.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

228: Contessa Gayles on "Songs From the Hole"
Q: How did making films about prisons affect you?
It radicalized her and made her engage with prison abolition.
227: Heidi Ewing & Rachel Grady on "Folktales"
Q: How did you choose the visual motif of red yarn?
Heidi explained it was inspired by Norse mythology, connecting the weaving motif to fate and the students' journeys.
227: Heidi Ewing & Rachel Grady on "Folktales"
Q: What challenges did you face while filming?
Rachel described the exhaustion of filming in extreme cold and the difficulty of capturing Gen Z at ease with social media.
227: Heidi Ewing & Rachel Grady on "Folktales"
Q: What motivated you to adapt a documentary in Norway after focusing on American subjects?
Heidi explained that it felt like a full circle moment, reflecting on their first film and the significant moments that shape one's future.
225: Will & Harper, Social Studies, Chimp Crazy
Q: Lauren, what were you hoping to try to do uniquely in this project?
What I tried to do that was different from that is really have it be all in the kids' voices.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Pure Nonfiction: Inside Documentary Film

What is Pure Nonfiction: Inside Documentary Film about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Focusing on the art of documentary filmmaking, the content highlights the stories and processes behind pivotal films and their creators. Featuring conversations with notable filmmakers, the discussions touch on a variety of subjects, including societal issues, personal journeys, and the nuances of storytelling. Each episode explores the intricacies of crafting documentaries and the motivations that drive filmmakers, providing listeners a deep insight into the documentary world that goes beyond mere entertainment. Unique in its approach, the content emphasizes the journey of storytelling, often revealing that the narratives of the filmmakers are just as compelling as the documentaries they create.

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Which podcasts are similar to Pure Nonfiction: Inside Documentary Film?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Pure Nonfiction: Inside Documentary Film:

1. The Interview
2. IndieWire's Filmmaker Toolkit
3. The New Yorker Radio Hour
4. Fresh Air
5. The Ezra Klein Show

How many episodes of Pure Nonfiction: Inside Documentary Film are there?

Pure Nonfiction: Inside Documentary Film launched 10 years ago and published 236 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Pure Nonfiction: Inside Documentary Film?

Recent guests on Pure Nonfiction: Inside Documentary Film include:

1. RJ Cutler
2. David Gelb
3. Laurent Bouzereau
4. Harper Steele
5. Lauren Greenfield
6. Eric Goode
7. Jeremy McBride
8. Michelle Khare

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