Reverbiage: Stories from NPR tagged 'documentary'

Homeland Security Gets The Reality TV Treatment

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:19:00 EST

A new reality show takes viewers behind the scenes as border guards, Secret Service agents and patrol officers protect the nation. Homeland Security, USA has the look of a documentary, but its producers stay clear of politics and deliver a show that's more COPS than Frontline.

From The Slums Of Shaolin: A Wu-Tang Film

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 11:43:00 EST

From its very first single in 1993, the Wu-Tang Clan brought a hyperactive, slang-driven and wildly popular brand to rap. Now, a new documentary portrays the rise and ongoing struggles of hip-hop's first empire.

Christiane Amanpour: Reporting On Genocide

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 10:25:00 EST

CNN's chief international correspondent, Christiane Amanpour has covered every major international and humanitarian crisis since the Gulf War. Her new documentary, Scream Bloody Murder, is about genocide — and the people who are working to end mass killing worldwide.

Nazi's Daughter Struggles With Her 'Inheritance'

Wed, 03 Dec 2008 10:00:00 EST

Monika Hertwig, daughter of Nazi Amon Goeth, has spent her life dealing with her father's murderous legacy. James Moll's documentary, Inheritance, tells the story of how Hertwig has reached out to Helen Jonas, one of Goeth's former slaves.

Documentary Tackles Epic Harvard-Yale Game

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EST

Harvard Beats Yale 29-29 tells the story of the 1968 football meeting between the Ivy League archrivals. Filmmaker Kevin Rafferty's father was a former Yale football captain, but Rafferty chose to go to Harvard.

Obama Documentary Needs Emanuel Brothers

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 06:00:00 EST

Hollywood is buzzing about a documentary on Barack Obama. A film crew has been following Obama for two years. One of the talent agents involved with the project is Ari Emanuel. He's the brother of Congressman Rahm Emanuel, who has been chosen as White House chief of staff to Barack Obama. So far, the third Emanuel brother has not been involved with the project. Zeke Emanuel is a doctor at the NIH Clinical Center.

When Women Fight On The Front Lines

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 13:00:00 EST

Though women in the military are supposed to work in support positions, some of them are actually fighting in combat. The PBS documentary Lioness, airing Thursday, explores the lives of women on the front lines. Co-director Meg McLagan and Army Sgt. Ranie Ruthig discuss the film.

Black Masculinity: Dueling Images Of Power

Sat, 08 Nov 2008 17:07:00 EST

Byron Hurt, the producer of the Web documentary Barack and Curtis, talks about the changing face of black masculinity in the U.S. since Barack Obama's rise to power.

'Pray the Devil': Liberia's Stern, Solid Sisterhood

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 17:00:00 EST

At the height of a civil war, Liberia's women banded together to help end the violent reign of dictator Charles Taylor. Gini Reticker's vivid documentary proves "the weaker sex" is anything but. (Recommended)

America's First Drug-Treatment Prison Revisited

Sat, 01 Nov 2008 16:00:00 EDT

The Narcotic Farm was one of America's most ambitious drug-treatment institutions. It was located in Lexington, Ky., and housed addicts from the famous, like writer William S. Burroughs, to the forgotten. Documentarian JP Olsen and drug policy expert Nancy Campbell collaborated on a new book and a PBS documentary titled The Narcotic Farm: The Rise and Fall of America's First Prison for Drug Addicts. They talk about the institution.

A 'Boogie Man' With A Legacy Of Complicated Moves

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 11:47:00 EDT

Stefan Forbes' documentary looks at the life and controversial career of Lee Atwater, the political operative who ran George H.W. Bush's 1988 campaign — and introduced the nation to Willie Horton.

'Morning Light': Speed Racers On The Ocean Blue

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 17:27:00 EDT

Fifteen sailors — collegiate nonprofessionals all — compete in one of the world's most celebrated yacht races in this handsomely shot if ultimately underwhelming documentary.

Breast Cancer Detected 'In The Family'

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 11:15:00 EDT

Tests for cancer are intimidating enough — and now genetic tests can reveal a patient's predisposition for certain cancers before there are any symptoms. Filmmaker Joanna Rudnick, upon learning she had such a genetic mutation, made a TV documentary about the agonizing choices such tests involve.

Undercover And 'Religulous'

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 11:12:00 EDT

The new documentary Religulous offers a satirical — and very critical — look at the world's religions. Directed by Larry Charles, the film features Bill Maher posing undercover as a man seeking spiritual guidance from various religious groups.

'Boogie Man': The Paradox Of Lee Atwater

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 11:57:00 EDT

Lee Atwater, former chairman of the Republican National Committee, is remembered for being a ruthless political operative. But in a new documentary about Atwater's controversial life and legacy, filmmaker Stefan Forbes shows that despite his reputation as "Darth Vader," Atwater won the respect of many, including political enemies.

Warner Brothers Marks 85 Years In Pictures

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 08:45:00 EDT

In 1923, four brothers formed a motion picture studio that still thrives today: Warner Bros. Film reviewer Richard Schickel has written a book and produced a documentary for PBS, You Must Remember This, to celebrate 85 years of Warner Bros. movie history. Schickel walks through the famous WB back lot with Renee Montagne. Many of the studio's most famous movies were shot on that lot.

Surviving The Storm

Tue, 16 Sep 2008 12:00:00 EDT

A new documentary film, Trouble the Water tells the story of a couple who were swept up in the Hurricane Katrina disaster three years ago. Commentator S. Pearl Sharp went to see the film, and reflects on how it changed her view of the Katrina aftermath.

Peace Day Film Brings Jude Law To Afghanistan

Mon, 15 Sep 2008 17:51:00 EDT

Jude Law and documentary filmmaker Jeremy Gilley went to Afghanistan to promote the U.N. International Day of Peace with a new film, The Day After Peace. The Day of Peace, scheduled for Sept. 21, seeks to pause conflict for a day.

Urban High School Students Find Inspiration In Band

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 12:11:00 EDT

Ballou High School, located in inner-city Washington, D.C., is often associated with violence and academic failure. But, the Ballou High School Marching Band is considered one of the best in the nation. Filmmaker Casey Callister and band director Darrell Watson discuss a documentary spotlighting Ballou's Majestic Marching Knights.

Civil Rights Conviction Overturned

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 06:00:00 EDT

A federal appeals court Tuesday overturned the kidnapping conviction of James Ford Seale in connection with the deaths of two black teenagers in Mississippi in 1964. The Justice Department brought an indictment against Seale based on evidence uncovered by a Mississippi newspaper and a documentary film team. He was convicted in 2007 and sentenced to three life terms.

When Overqualified Jazz Musicians Go Rocker

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 13:00:00 EDT

Music reviewer David Was takes a look at a new documentary about the The Wrecking Crew. They were the lesser known musicians responsible for hit songs from famous bands like The Beach Boys and the Monkees in 1960s and 1970s.

'Trouble The Water' Captures Katrina On Camcorder

Fri, 29 Aug 2008 11:05:00 EDT

As New Orleans' levees buckled, Kim Rivers Roberts turned her video camera on marooned friends, relatives and neighbors. Roberts' footage has been adapted into a powerful documentary that is as much about America as it is about the deadly storm.

Inside HBO's 'The Black List'

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:23:00 EDT

The term, "black list," once defined Communist investigations by the U.S. government in the 1950s. But now, an HBO documentary is redefining that term. The Black List is a documentary with 22 prominent black Americans — from Gen. Colin Power to erotica writer Zane — having their say.

The Death Of WASP Culture

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:47:00 EDT

Jaime Johnson, one of the heirs of the Johnson & Johnson pharmaceutical fortune and director of the 2003 HBO documentary Born Rich talks about the blessing and burden of white, Anglo-Saxon, protestant culture.

A Helen Thomas White House

Thu, 14 Aug 2008 10:00:00 EDT

As part of the Washington Press Corps, Helen Thomas has spent 60 years asking presidents tough questions. Rory Kennedy talks about her documentary, which chronicles the journalist's career.