An exciting episode of BEHIND THE LENS thanks to documentary director/producer CHRISTINE YOO and director NICOLAS HARVARD.
First up, take a listen to my exclusive interview with director NICOLAS HARVARD talking about his feature directorial debut – THE LOCKSMITH. Now, Nicolas is no stranger to film and television having long worked as a 1st Assistant Director and 2nd Unit Director on shows like “Yellowstone” and films like “Wind River”, “Chappaquiddick”, “The Spectacular Now”, and “Rudderless”. (Let’s face it. You can’t do much better today then work and learn from Taylor Sheridan.) But now he steps into the saddle as director and tackles elements of filmmaking he hasn’t had to concern himself with before, such as casting, editing and music. It’s a terrific conversation as Nicolas gets candid about this experience.
And then, director/producer CHRISTINE YOO is live talking about her documentary 26.2 TO LIFE which screened at Santa Barbara International Film Festival, among others. Talk about a powerful, inspiring, and uplifting film! Christine goes behind the walls and barbed wire of San Quentin to show us one of the incredible rehabilitative programs offered to prisoners – The 1000 Mile Club. Honing in on three main inmates with 50+year sentences (although we hear from many more), we learn about the program from Coach Franklin Ruona and then follow Rahsaan Thomas, Tommy Lee Wickerd, and Markelle “The Gazelle” Taylor” on their journey to complete a 26.2 mile marathon within the prison while having their eyes on the prize of possible parole and life outside. We get to know these men and you will care about them by film’s end. Metaphoric when viewing training for a marathon as compared to their individual journeys at rehab, self-improvement, and redemption, Christine has done an amazing job. And what of our inmates? You’ll have to see the film or listen to this show as Christine and I dive into the challenges of making a film behind bars over the course of several years not the least of which is being inside the wall filming when whistles blow and lockdown happens, calling on the inmates for production assistance, music, editing, and so much more. One of my favorite documentaries of the year!
A POSTSCRIPT to the Santa Barbara International Film Festival screenings – 26.2 TO LIFE WON the Audience Award for Best Documentary!
