A jam-packed and eclectic show on this episode of BEHIND THE LENS as director MARC MARRIOTT talks about his new feature, the delightful fish-out-of-water tale, TOKYO COWBOY. Then we shift gears and get serious talking with writer/director JEREMY PION-BERLIN about his new documentary FAILURE TO PROTECT which takes a look at three families whose children have been taken away from them by CPS and who are now embroiled in the child welfare system and the court system.
First up, take a listen as director MARC MARRIOTT discusses his new film TOKYO COWBOY. And let me just say right up front, going in I knew I was going to be a fan of the film thanks to a script by the fabulous Dave Boyle and Ayako Fujitani. I’ve been on Dave’s bandwagon since the world premiere of his first feature film and were he not shooting in Japan right now, he would be joining us as well. A terrific fish out-of-water story with the melding of cultures, wonderful performances, nuanced character construction and character development, stunning locations (as in “Yellowstone” and Paradise Valley, Montana), and a lot of heart, TOKYO COWBOY is an absolute delight. Marc and I dive into it talking everything from character construction, themes, casting, location, cinematography, chickens and horses, mud, manure, and more!
TOKYO COWBOY is currently on the festival circuit.
Then we’re talking about a hot-button documentary with director and editor JEREMY PION-BERLIN and his film FAILURE TO PROTECT. The film focuses on five parents whose children have been taken away from them by CPS and who are now embroiled in the child welfare system and the court system in an effort to be reunited with their children. It’s an interesting multi-year look at the system from the perspective of these parents (and some of the children who are now in foster care) as well as interviews with various social workers, directors of Child Family Services, psychologists, attorneys, and even the presiding judge of the Los Angeles County Juvenile Dependency Court. An interesting conversation with Jeremy on his process in subject matter selection, families to speak with and focus on, expert interviews, and a big thing with any documentary – the editing process.
FAILURE TO PROTECT is currently streaming on various digital platforms.
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