Vlad and Ondi’s Sundance festival adventure continues with interviews with some of the most celebrated artists from this year’s festival.
First we speak with Swedish director Fredrik Gertten, whose film “Big Boys Gone Bananas” was sued by Dole fruit for defamation. The difficulties of being a muckraker are clearly illuminated by Fredrick and his friend, Morgan Spurlock, who drops by for an impromptu endorsement.
Then we talk with Malik Bendjelloul, the director of the highly anticipated “Searching for Sugar Man.” Malik shares his infectious enthusiasm with us and clearly regards the project as a labor of love that has managed to re-expose one of the great (nearly)over-looked musicians of the last 40 years, Rodriguez.
John Cooper, the festival’s director, managed to swing by and talk with Ondi and Vlad for a bit of insight on the process of orchestrating and navigating the festival, and even shared some of his own personal favorites from this year’s crop.
Finally, “Chasing Ice” film makers Jeff Orlowski and James Balog open up to BYOD about the intense undertaking that went into creating the year’s most talked about climate film. Far from being a lecture-type piece, “Chasing Ice” is a work that is as beautiful as it is informative.
Watch new episodes of BYOD live each week on Tuesdays at noon on TheLip.TV, or tune in for the archived replay starting here on the following Thursday.
ABOUT BYOD:
BYOD is co-hosted by Ondi Timoner, director of “DIG!,” “JOIN US” and “WE LIVE IN PUBLIC,” and has the rare distinction of winning the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance twice, and Vladimir Radovanov, entertainment attorney, and executive producer of “WE LIVE IN PUBLIC.” Each week the show explores a different documentary filmmaker or aspect of filmmaking, with special guests and a live Q&A– diving deep into creative process and the business realities of producing and distributing films. Ondi and Vladimir share their insider views, opinions, and personal stories, welcoming audience participation. BYOD aims to entertain, inform, and elevate documentaries in general by bringing attention to films and film makers that deserve exposure.
GUEST BIO:
Fredrik Gertten has been making a distinctive name for himself as a journalist and film maker. Having been involved in “The Corporation,” and now “Big Boys Gone Bananas,” he’s solidified his position as a muckraker of the first order.
James Balog is one of the preeminent nature photographers alive. His involvement in the Extreme Ice Survey has been pioneering in both it’s technological advances and sheer scope of vision. His life’s work was completely integral to telling the story of “Chasing Ice.”
Jeff Orlowski got involved with telling the story of “Chasing Ice,” and Extreme Ice Survey after directing short films. Needless to say, his work has been, as of late, drawing a lot of heat.
First-time director Malik Bendjelloul, set his sights on telling the story, “Searching for Sugar Man,” inspired by his own passion for music. A former actor, Bendjelloul has moved his focus behind the lens.
John Cooper has been active in the Sundance Film Festival for over 20 years and has also been program director for the Los Angeles Outfest. Since 2009 he has been the director of the festival.
EPISODE BREAKDOWN:
00:01 Intro to SUNDANCE SPECIAL pt. 3
00:43 Titles
01:27 “Big Boys Gone Bananas,” by Fredrick Gertten
02:18 Welcoming Fredrick Gertten
02:43 Getting threatened (and sued) by the big boys.
05:17 How to recover the money from the legal fight.
05:29 Morgan Spurlock drops in and rallies for “Big Boys Gone Bananas.”
07:27 Winning the lawsuit against a defamation claim.
09:55 Spin vs. Anti-Spin.
10:42 All about love–even against the corporations.
13:37 “How was your experience at the festival so far?”
15:32 CLIP #2
16:20 “Searching for Sugar Man,” by Malik Bendjelloul
19:20 Setting up the story as a mystery.
19:50 The story of Rodriguez.
22:18 What comes next?
23:43 Sundance: heaven for docs.
24:27 Learning more about the film.
25:59 CLIP #2
28:04 John Cooper; Film Director of the Sundance Film Festival.
29:19 John’s history in the festival (and with “DIG!”)
31:21 An amazing job that makes dreams come true.
32:09 Going through the door when it opens; the art of publicity.
33:38 The importance of being vivacious.
34:16 The numbers on Sundance.
34:52 What are the Buzz films this year?
36:44 Turning facts to feelings.
38:39 Who gets the most out of the festival?
39:59 Some final words of wisdom from John.
42:00 “Chasing Ice”
43:28 Welcoming Jeff Orlowski and James Balog.
44:49 James’ background in environmental photography.
45:38 The cutting edge of Extreme Ice Survey technology.
47:09 A physical adventure that leads to an issue.
48:09 Shooting in arctic conditions.
51:01 The Sundance experience.
53:56 What do you want people to take from the film?
57:38 The right time to tell the story of climate change.
59:24 CLIP #2
1:00:47 Ondi and Vlad wrap up and look forward to next week’s show.
