SOUNDS OF FILM with Tom Needham

On the latest episode of SOUNDS with Tom Needham, we are joined by Belgian writer-director Leonardo Van Dijl, known for his compelling storytelling and nuanced character portrayals. His debut feature film, JULIE KEEPS QUIET (2024), delves into themes of silence, trauma, and resilience within the high-pressure world of elite youth tennis. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, where it gar...

On this episode of SOUNDS, host Tom Needham welcomes award-winning director and activist Catherine Gund to discuss her latest film, MEANWHILE, a docu-poem in six verses that captures artists creating in the midst of chaos. Featuring an extraordinary collaboration between Jacqueline Woodson, Meshell Ndegeocello, and a cast of visionary artists, the film weaves together historical and observational...

In this classic SOUNDS OF FILM interview, Tom Needham speaks with musician Robbie Dupree. Robbie Dupree, who grew up in Brooklyn, New York, is best known for his smooth pop hits “Steal Away” (No. 6) and “Hot Rod Hearts” (No. 15) from his 1980 self-titled debut album. Influenced by R&B legends Marvin Gaye and Sam Cooke, he began his career performing in Greenwich Village with Nile Rodgers before mo...

On the next SOUNDS with Tom Needham is special guest, director Olivia Serafini-Sauli, who is here to discuss her new documentary, Endless Calls for Fame: The Story of the New Rising Sons. The film takes us back to the gritty streets of 1990s New York City, when punk and indie rock were breaking into the mainstream. It tells the story of The New Rising Sons, a band that seemed destined for stardom...

On this episode of SOUNDS with Tom Needham, we welcome Terry Masear, the extraordinary hummingbird rescuer at the heart of the new documentary Every Little Thing. Directed by Sally Aitken, the film offers a breathtaking look at Masear’s lifelong dedication to rehabilitating these delicate creatures, revealing a world of patience, perseverance, and quiet compassion. With its stunning cinematography...

On this episode of SOUNDS with Tom Needham, we’re diving into Reeling, a powerful new drama making its world premiere at the 2025 SXSW Film Festival. Joining me are writer-director Yana Alliata, lead actors Ryan Wuestewald, Hans Christopher, and Nikki DeParis, and composer Michael MacAllister. Executive produced by the legendary Werner Herzog, Reeling follows Ryan, a man struggling with memory los...

On this episode of SOUNDS, host Tom Needham speaks with actor and activist Billy Baldwin, the narrator of Fentanyl: Death Incorporated, the most comprehensive documentary ever made on the fentanyl crisis. Produced by Zackito Productions and 3Gates Films, and directed by Stephen Wollwerth, the film exposes the devastating impact of fentanyl—the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-45. Throu...

On this episode of SOUNDS with Tom Needham, we explore the mysteries of the unknown with special guest L.A. Marzulli—author, filmmaker, and investigator of some of the most controversial topics of our time. His latest book, Rungs of Disclosure: Following the Trail of Extraterrestrials and the End Times, delves into the growing phenomenon of extraterrestrial encounters, government secrecy, and the...

On the next SOUNDS with Tom Needham is director and producer Asako Gladsjo, one of the visionary filmmakers behind Eyes on the Prize III: We Who Believe in Freedom Cannot Rest 1977–2015. For decades, Eyes on the Prize has set the standard for chronicling the Civil Rights Movement, offering an unflinching look at the ongoing fight for racial and social justice in America. In its latest installment,...

Award-winning filmmaker Abby Ginzberg joins SOUNDS with Tom Needham to discuss her latest documentary, Shaking It Up: The Life and Times of Liz Carpenter. Co-directed with Christy Carpenter, the film explores the groundbreaking career of Liz Carpenter—an outspoken journalist, White House press secretary, and advocate for equality who played a key role in shaping American politics and media. Ginzbe...

“The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill” is a documentary about Mark Bittner, a homeless musician in San Francisco who forms a deep bond with a flock of wild parrots living on Telegraph Hill. The film explores his relationship with the birds, their unique behaviors, and his personal journey of self-discovery and connection to nature. “Wild Parrots” was first screened in 16mm in festivals in 2003. Mark...

Showtime Networks’ “ALL UP IN THE BIZ" stands as a poignant tribute to the late rapper Biz Markie, affectionately known as the "Clown Prince of Hip Hop." The documentary, directed by Sacha Jenkins, unearths the remarkable journey of this beatbox virtuoso, celebrated for his humorous rhymes and offbeat persona, with his chart-topping hit "Just a Friend" as the cornerstone of his legacy. The film ma...

In this episode of SOUNDS, we’re diving deep into the intersection of politics, economics, and governance with a very special guest—Bill Walton. Bill Walton founded Rush River Entertainment which was a producer of “Max Rose,” starring Jerry Lewis, released in August 2016 with an early cut screened at Cannes Film Festival in 2013. A second film, “The Ticket,” starring Dan Stevens, was selected as o...

In this episode of SOUNDS with Tom Needham, comedian Kevin James Doyle and Emmy-winning director Cory Cavin join the show to discuss their latest theatrical production, After Endgame, currently running at SoHo Playhouse in New York City. Blending comedy with high-stakes chess lessons, After Endgame explores themes of self-deception, strategy, and the life lessons found in the game of chess. More t...

SOUNDS with Tom Needham welcomes Academy Award-nominated directors Sam & David Cutler-Kreutz to discuss their powerful short film, A Lien. The film, shortlisted for the 97th Academy Awards, is a gripping call to action for comprehensive immigration reform in the U.S. Through a deeply personal and visually compelling narrative, A Lien exposes the tangled bureaucracy, enforcement incentives, and...

Today on SOUNDS with Tom Needham, we’re diving into the haunting and deeply philosophical new documentary, TRINITY, a film by Martina Car and Anthony Audi. The documentary explores the aftermath of the Manhattan Project, the voices of those affected, and the chilling contradictions of the nuclear age. With stunning imagery, first-person accounts, and a stark contrast between government narratives...

On this episode of SOUNDS with Tom Needham, author and manufacturing expert John Gardner makes the case for tariffs as a powerful tool to boost American industry and generate government revenue. Drawing insights from his book “Manufacture Local,” Gardner explains how a strategic tariff policy can protect domestic manufacturing, reduce reliance on foreign production, and revitalize the economy. He...

In this episode of SOUNDS with Tom Needham, we dive into the eye-opening world of Complicated, a powerful new documentary directed by award-winning filmmaker Andrew Abrahams. Premiering at Slamdance in the Unstoppable Section, Complicated exposes the hidden epidemic of children suffering from complex and invisible illnesses, only to be further victimized by a healthcare system that fails them—and,...

On this episode of SOUNDS with Tom Needham, author and journalist Dick Russell joins the show to discuss his in-depth biography, “The Real RFK Jr.” This compelling portrait explores Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s transformation from personal struggles to becoming a leading advocate for environmental justice and government accountability. Russell, a longtime colleague of Kennedy, draws from exclusive mate...

On this episode of SOUNDS with Tom Needham, we delve into the thought-provoking documentary ETERNAL YOU with directors Hans Block and Moritz Riesewieck. Known for their acclaimed debut film The Cleaners, the duo now tackles the technological revolution of “digital immortality”—a groundbreaking concept blurring the boundaries between life and death. ETERNAL YOU examines how artificial intelligence...

On the next episode of SOUNDS with Tom Needham, we delve into one of the most intriguing and mysterious events in UFO lore: the 1973 Pascagoula abduction case. Our guest is Darcy Weir, the acclaimed director behind the gripping new documentary series Pascagoula 73. Through archival footage, interviews, and fresh perspectives, this four-part series reexamines the astonishing accounts of Charles Hic...

On the next episode of SOUNDS with Tom Needham, we are honored to feature Dr. Charles Camarda, a NASA veteran whose remarkable career has left a lasting impact on space exploration. Growing up in Ozone Park, Queens, Dr. Camarda rose to prominence as a mission specialist on the historic STS-114, the first space shuttle mission following the tragic Columbia disaster in 2003. Beyond his time in space...

This episode of SOUNDS with Tom Needham features directors Sam Crane and Pinny Grylls discussing their groundbreaking documentary, “Grand Theft Hamlet.” The film reimagines Shakespeare’s Hamlet within the chaotic and visually stunning world of Grand Theft Auto Online, capturing the challenges and triumphs of staging a classic play in an unpredictable digital space. Recently awarded the Documentary...

This episode of the SOUNDS podcast features an exciting conversation with independent director Jim McKay, known not only for his groundbreaking 1996 indie film “Girls Town,” but also for directing acclaimed television episodes of “The Wire,” “Treme,” “Better Call Saul,” “Big Love,” “Criminal Intent,” and “Mr. Robot.” Jim joins us to discuss the newly restored 4K release of “Girls Town,” a gritty a...

Next on SOUNDS with Tom Needham is Juliana Kaplan, a senior labor and inequality reporter at Business Insider who has been at the forefront of examining the shifting dynamics of the American economy. Her latest piece, “The American Dream is Shrinking,” explores how the quintessential vision of success in America—homeownership, family stability, and upward mobility—is becoming increasingly unattain...