Fog of Truth Bart Weiss

Morgan Spurlock's Documentary Legacy
In this episode of 'Fog of Truth,' the hosts discuss the impact and legacy of Morgan Spurlock, the influential filmmaker known for 'Supersize Me.' The episode explores Spurlock's unique approach to documentaries, marked by his performative style and integration of personal experience into his storytelling. The conversation covers the evolution of his career, the influence of his films on social media and performative investigative reporting, and specific works like 'Supersize Me 2.' Additionally, the hosts touch on Spurlock's personal challenges and the implications of his actions during the Me Too movement. The episode also honors the late Mitchell Block, another influential figure in documentary filmmaking.
00:00 Introduction and Setup
01:02 Morgan Spurlock's Impact on Filmmaking
03:09 Supersize Me: A Deep Dive
08:30 Supersize Me 2: Holy Chicken
14:36 Morgan Spurlock's Legacy and Controversies
18:12 Closing Remarks and Additional Tributes
21:09 Conclusion and Credits

Who is Stan Smith? A Journey Through Tennis, Fashion, and Legacy
In this episode, John, Justina and Bart discusses the documentary film 'Who is Stan Smith?' which explores the life and legacy of tennis legend Stan Smith. Known for his peak achievements in the 60s and 70s, as well as his friendship with Arthur Ashe, Smith is also famously associated with the iconic Adidas Stan Smith tennis shoe. The film delves into his career, personal life, social impact, and enduring influence in fashion. The episode highlights the compelling narrative of his love story with wife Margie, and the broader cultural and historical contexts influencing tennis and civil rights. Additionally, insights from the film’s director, Danny Lee, reveal the meticulous process behind its creation, balancing archival footage with modern storytelling techniques.
00:00 The Timeless Appeal of Stan Smith Sneakers
01:02 Exploring the Legend: Who is Stan Smith?
01:38 The Cultural Impact and Fashion Icon Status of Stan Smith
02:06 Personal Insights and Reflections on Stan Smith
02:44 The Documentary's Exploration of Sports, Fashion, and Social Justice
10:14 Behind the Scenes: Making the Stan Smith Documentary with Danny Lee 
20:12 Remembering Morgan Spurlock: A Documentary Pioneer
22:18 Closing Thoughts and Episode Wrap-Up

In this episode of The Fog of Truth podcast, host Bart Weiss discusses the documentary 'Water Wars' with its director, Mario Mattei.
The documentary, which recently screened at the Dallas International Film Festival, delves into the complex issue of water rights in West Texas, depicting a struggle over the control and distribution of one of the most vital resources. Mattei shares insights into his dual role in the project, his creative process, and the importance of visual storytelling across various mediums.
The conversation highlights the documentary's exploration of American freedom, property ownership, and the ethical dimensions of resource sharing. The film illustrates the legal battles faced by farmers and ranchers in Hudspeth County and the broader implications for water rights across Texas. Key characters, such as the Guitar family and Laura Lynch, are discussed, offering a glimpse into the deeply personal and community-wide impacts of the water wars.
 Mattei reflects on the challenges of presenting a balanced view of the conflict and the significance of water in human life. The episode sheds light on the engaging narrative and the collaborative effort behind the documentary, from pre-production to securing distribution.
 
00:26 Welcome to The Fog of Truth Podcast
00:37 Diving Deep with Director Mario Mattei
01:29 The Art of Visual Storytelling
03:10 Behind the Scenes of Water Wars
05:35 The Essence of Water Wars: A Story of Conflict and Resource
09:56 The Battle for Water Rights: Farmers vs. Ranchers
15:22 Navigating Legal Waters: The Fight for Fairness
18:17 The Heart of the Story: Laura Lynch's Emotional Journey
23:04 The Future of Water Wars and What's Next for Mario Mattei
26:09 Signing Off from The Fog of Truth

Justina, Bart, and John are back! In this episode of 'The Fog of Truth', the hosts engage in a vibrant discussion about the Oscar-nominated short films. As they anticipate the Oscar celebration broadcast, they share their individual experiences and projects, including attending South by Southwest and working on book drafts. The debate opens with remarks on the absence of American-made documentaries in the best feature documentary category, celebrating international contributions instead. They meticulously review each short documentary nominee, providing insights into their themes, distribution, and impacts on audiences. The films discussed include 'The ABCs of Book Banning', 'The Barber of Little Rock', 'Island in Between', 'The Last Repair Shop', and 'Na, Nai and Wipo'. Special attention is given to the importance of storytelling, the role of major distributors in supporting short films, and the impact of these documentaries on real-world issues such as book banning, community banking, and cultural identities. The hosts express their favorites and speculate on potential Oscar winners, emphasizing the power of documentaries to frame pressing societal issues compellingly.
00:00 Introduction and Catching Up
00:51 Oscar Features and Controversies
01:35 Oscar Nominated Short Films: A Discussion
19:50 The ABCs of Book Banning: A Deep Dive
24:30 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Bart and John talk about two documentaries that have been playing the festival circuit and are now available at home. Bart Interviews, and Ashwin Chaudhary director of The Blind Eye Artist and Vincent Liota director of Objects.

Justina, John and Bart review and discuss, Stanley Nelsons film The Sound of the Police.