Pure Nonfiction: Inside Documentary Film

Pure Nonfiction: Inside Documentary Film


Latest Episodes

178: Anand Giridharadas on "The Persuaders"
March 14, 2024

In his book "The Persuaders," Anand Giridharadas profiles activists and organizers who seek to change people's minds in a time of divisiveness.

177: Carla Gutierrez on "Frida"
March 07, 2024

Carla Gutierrez makes her directorial debut with "Frida" about the Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.

176: Alissa Wilkinson at The New York Times
February 29, 2024

Alissa Wilkinson stands out amongst filmcritics for writing extensively about documentaries.

175: S. Leo Chiang on "Island in Between"
February 15, 2024

Filmmaker S. Leo Chiang reflects on the relations between Taiwan and China in the Oscar nominated short "Island in Between" streaming from The New York Times Op-Docs.

174: Oscar contenders, part 2
January 12, 2024

Pure Nonfiction partnered with The Ankler to spotlight seven of the Oscar contenders at a live event in Los Angeles on January 4, 2024.

173: Oscar contenders, part 1
January 11, 2024

Pure Nonfiction partnered with The Ankler to spotlight seven of the Oscar contenders at a live event in Los Angeles on January 4, 2024.

172: Nicole Newnham on “The Disappearance of Shere Hite”
November 30, 2023

In "The Disappearance of Shere Hite," Oscar-nominated director Nicole Newnham ("Crip Camp") profiles the sex researcher who soared to success in the 1970s, but then faded into obscurity.

171: "Every Body" Profiles Intersex Activists
November 22, 2023

Filmmaker Julie Cohen ("RBG") profiles three intersex activists in her new film "Every Body," now streaming on Peacock.

170: Raoul Peck on "Silver Dollar Road"
November 16, 2023

In his new film "Silver Dollar Road," Oscar-nominated director Raoul Peck ("I Am Not Your Negro") focuses on the Reels family in North Carolina, who fought for decades to protect their waterfront prop

169: Mstyslav Chernov on “20 Days in Mariupol"
October 26, 2023

Associated Press videographer Mstyslav Chernov won the Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of Russia's war against Ukraine. When the war escalated in February 2022, Mstyslav covered the front lines for hi