Doc Talk Podcast Discusses Oscar Results and Heads to True/False for Inspiring Conversations with the Creators of ‘Phenomena’ and ‘Pinball’
The documentary community is still reacting to the Academy Award win by Mr. Nobody Against Putin for Best Documentary Feature this past Sunday. While the film’s victory was notable, it was not entirely unexpected; Netflix’s The Perfect Neighbor had been considered the frontrunner leading up to the ceremony.
In the latest episode of our podcast, we visit True/False in Columbia, MO, where we connect with the creators of two newly premiered documentaries, Phenomena and Pinball.
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Phenomena, directed by Melbourne-based Josef Gatti, provides a breathtaking visual experience, all achieved without the use of special effects. Gatti focuses on fundamental forces of the universe—such as light, gravity, and electromagnetism—demonstrated through inventive experiments, some conducted with the assistance of his father, a physicist. The film transforms potentially dry scientific explorations into captivating showcases.
Gatti describes his work as “a trippy science musical” or a “psychedelic odyssey into the fabric of the universe.” The film is currently screening at CPH:DOX, with Gatti in attendance in Copenhagen.
Pinball, directed by Naveen Chaubal and produced by Bryn Silverman, explores the journey of Yosef, a young man in Kentucky navigating his identity amidst various cultural influences. He is caught between the memories of Baghdad, formative years in Cairo, and his coming of age in Louisville as a refugee following the U.S. invasion of Iraq. The film challenges preconceived notions about life in a red state for someone of Yosef’s background and highlights the candid interactions he shares with his group of Iraqi American friends, which Chaubal notes includes plenty of “sh*t talking.”
The filmmakers also discuss the title Pinball, acknowledging that some viewers may find the name misleading given the absence of any arcade-related imagery.
The podcast episode is available on major platforms including Spotify, iHeart, and Apple.
